XELODA OR MITOMYCIN

Xeloda vs Mitomycin
I have never heard of using xeloda in the treatment of anal cancer, but I know it is used to treat colorectal cancer, which is not the same. If you have anal cancer, I believe your doctor needs to use the standard protocol of treatment--two rounds of Mitomycin, given on day 1 and day 29, two rounds of 5FU via pump given on day 1 and day 29 for 96 hours, 5-6 weeks of IMRT radiation, depending on tumor size, using a dosage that is no higher than 59 gys to preserve function of your sphincter.

I highly recommend that you go to the website for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, register, then print out the current guidelines for treatment for anal cancer. I don't believe you will see Xeloda recommended. I realize Xeloda is a pill form of 5FU, but there has to be a reason that the IV form of 5FU is recommended for treatment of anal cancer. otherwise the rest of us would have been most happy to just take a pill. I could be wrong, but I don't believe there is anyone posting on this board that did not get 5FU by IV.

If I were you, I would print out those guidelines and get familiar with them. Take them to discuss with your doctor. Also, ask him/her how many cases of anal cancer has he/she treated and what chemo drugs were used? I would need some kind of proof that the Xeloda was effective to allow it over the standard 5FU.

As for the port and pump being an issue, it's really not. Having a port put in is a simple and very common procedure. Wearing the pump for 96 hours is merely an inconvenience and not a big deal.

Mytomycin. Xeloda
Hi everyone. Just wanted to share that I had taken both the mytomycin and xeloda along with seven weeks of radiation. I took xeloda five days a week along with my radiation treatments. Weekends were chemo free. I also took the mito twice like everyone else. I really didn't have huge issues with the xeloda. I did have dry hands and feet. But very manageable. As far as the xeloda or the 5 fu .well my docs choice that method. There also was another person besides myself on the same treatment. I also have read a lot, and this seems to be more of a colorectal cancer med thn anal cancer which is what I have. I m three months post treatment and doing good. Just wanted to share this info. I'm also being treated at stanford. Everyone on my medical team have been wonderful. This forum is awesome. Lots of great info.thanks

Tyson said:

Mytomycin. Xeloda
Hi everyone. Just wanted to share that I had taken both the mytomycin and xeloda along with seven weeks of radiation. I took xeloda five days a week along with my radiation treatments. Weekends were chemo free. I also took the mito twice like everyone else. I really didn't have huge issues with the xeloda. I did have dry hands and feet. But very manageable. As far as the xeloda or the 5 fu .well my docs choice that method. There also was another person besides myself on the same treatment. I also have read a lot, and this seems to be more of a colorectal cancer med thn anal cancer which is what I have. I m three months post treatment and doing good. Just wanted to share this info. I'm also being treated at stanford. Everyone on my medical team have been wonderful. This forum is awesome. Lots of great info.thanks

Tyson

I'm glad to hear you are doing well and I thank you for sharing this info with us.  It's great that you are in good hands at Stanford.  Please keep us posted on how things are going.  I wish you all the best!

mp327 said:

As I understand it, Cisplatin is less toxic than Mitomycin and is preferred by some doctors, one of them being Dr. Eng at MDA, who is a leading expert in the treatment of anal cancer.  From everything I've read, the effectiveness of these two drugs is basically the same, varying perhaps just one percent or so. 

mitomyercin

hi- i have just passed 5 years NED for anal cancer...I had the usual protocol of ONE round of mitomyercin and 2 rounds of 5fu...Also , i did NOT need a port...my oncologist said i only needed a pic-line......of course i also had 31 rounds of radiation. Good Luck..

 

 

Rej0328 said:

Chemo

I'm just curious as to why I had cisplatin.  Anyone familiar with this.

Hi, I am 2.5yrs post treatment and doing GREAT! I began in a clinical trial that included cisplatin, 5-FU and cetuximab, and radiation.....after a few weeks I had complications with my ostomy and had to go off the clinical trial but continued protocal treatment with cisplatin and 5-FU/rad. A while back I asked the same thing and was happy to hear from my doctor that it was highly recommended by Dr Eng, as Martha said. It is an older drug, and sometimes called the penicillin of cancer treatment because of its simpler make-up with a wide range of highly effective uses. I was reassured that I received excellent treatment and have not worried about it since.  

z810840b said:

mitomyercin

hi- i have just passed 5 years NED for anal cancer...I had the usual protocol of ONE round of mitomyercin and 2 rounds of 5fu...Also , i did NOT need a port...my oncologist said i only needed a pic-line......of course i also had 31 rounds of radiation. Good Luck..

 

 

Congrats z810840b!!!!

So good to see someone else celebrating 5 years!!!! I've been in a bit of a "worry slump" lately, and it always makes me feel better to hear about long-time survivors! Much health and happiness to you!

 

mp327 said:

Xeloda vs Mitomycin
I have never heard of using xeloda in the treatment of anal cancer, but I know it is used to treat colorectal cancer, which is not the same. If you have anal cancer, I believe your doctor needs to use the standard protocol of treatment--two rounds of Mitomycin, given on day 1 and day 29, two rounds of 5FU via pump given on day 1 and day 29 for 96 hours, 5-6 weeks of IMRT radiation, depending on tumor size, using a dosage that is no higher than 59 gys to preserve function of your sphincter.

I highly recommend that you go to the website for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, register, then print out the current guidelines for treatment for anal cancer. I don't believe you will see Xeloda recommended. I realize Xeloda is a pill form of 5FU, but there has to be a reason that the IV form of 5FU is recommended for treatment of anal cancer. otherwise the rest of us would have been most happy to just take a pill. I could be wrong, but I don't believe there is anyone posting on this board that did not get 5FU by IV.

If I were you, I would print out those guidelines and get familiar with them. Take them to discuss with your doctor. Also, ask him/her how many cases of anal cancer has he/she treated and what chemo drugs were used? I would need some kind of proof that the Xeloda was effective to allow it over the standard 5FU.

As for the port and pump being an issue, it's really not. Having a port put in is a simple and very common procedure. Wearing the pump for 96 hours is merely an inconvenience and not a big deal.

Xeloda vs Mitomycin

I was only offered, and did the standard protocol of treatment at Cleveland Clinic that mp327 mentions.  My brother was offered a choice of the pill form or the port & pump method in a WV cancer center.  We both did the 5FU via the port.

I had an uncle who was also offered the pill form of 5FU.  He refused to do chemo at all when nausea occured and stopped treatment.  On a positive note, I finished treatment and am 8 months cancer free. 

z810840b said:

mitomyercin

hi- i have just passed 5 years NED for anal cancer...I had the usual protocol of ONE round of mitomyercin and 2 rounds of 5fu...Also , i did NOT need a port...my oncologist said i only needed a pic-line......of course i also had 31 rounds of radiation. Good Luck..

 

 

mitomyercin

5 years NED for anal cancer, I am so happy for you!