Repeating drugs? How many different drugs are there for OVCA?

mom2greatkids
mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hi Ladies.

I posted that my latest scans were not good, as lymph nodes in the abdominal increased not only in size, but now there are numerous more, including a mantle of them.  I was stable for about ten months with Doxil.  I am now on topotecan, 3 weeks on, one week off.  I have had 3, and resume this upcoming Friday.  Dr. says we will scan after this next 3 rounds.  ANyway, he said that if this doesn't control or shrink it, that we will try gemzar.  He mentioned another drug (can't remember the name of it) is an oral chemo that we can try if topotecan and germzar fail.  He indicated that is the end of the drug line we can try.

 

I have read on here and another support group of women who have had many different drugs.  My dr. does not repeat drugs.  I asked him about taxtore. He said no because it was a cousin to Taxol.

 

I have had six rounds of carbo/taxol/avastin following surgery.  2011  I was in remission for about 7 months, while on avastin alone.  Three rounds of cistplatin/taxol.

I have had 10 rounds of Doxil.

Currently on topotecan.

Is this about the end of the line for me? I don't want to give up. I am tolerating chemo well.  I have too much to live for.  My kids lost their DAd at a young age (he was 52; I'm only 51).  My daughter married this past summer, my son is engaged and planning to marry this spring.  I have to see those grandkids. I just have to!

I do not have a gyn./onc. (I did for surgery, of course).  There are 4 gyn. onc. in my area, but they all work at the same clinic, which does not accept my insurance.

I should be eligible for disability medicare in August, at that time I should have access to more doctors.

I really do like this doctor. He is very kind and compassionate.  He listens.  I'm just really scared.  I'm not afraid to keep trying chemo drugs.

Thanks,

Carla

Comments

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    #2
    List of chemo drugs approved for ovca

    Hi Carla, I think you need access to an experienced ONC, even if you have to travel to him/her once in a while.

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/ lists chemo drugs used for ovarian cancer. Usually doctors refuse to repeat a drug because once cancer got immune to it, drug is no longer effective. Many times I heard the mantra: "recurrent ovarian cancer is treated like a chronic disease". Unfortunately the second omitted part of this sentence is "until chemo stops working". Not all drugs work on all patients. Platinum drugs are repeated after first line therapy only for platinum-sensitive cancer (first remission longer than 6 months). Since you already used Platinum drugs twice (Carboplatin & Cisplatin), Taxol (Taxotere), Avastin (Bevacizumab), Doxil (DHL / PLD) and Topotecan (Hycamtin) - it leaves Gemzar (Gemcitabine) and Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan / Neosar / Clafen). There's talk about Votrient (Pazopanib) being in the process of approval. When all options have been exhausted sometimes doctors prescribe other chemo's and hormone-supressants off-label. You could also look into new drugs (PARP inhibitors, MK-1175, vaccines) under development by going to www.clinicaltrials.gov; search for recruiting now studies under "recurrent ovarian cancer", filter on the map to your area, and pay attention to eligibility requirements.

    Big hugs and keep hope alive,

    Alexandra

     

  • dottyann
    dottyann Member Posts: 6
    #3
    Different drugs

    I am 66 and have been fighting this since 2006. Started out with surgery and chemo with cisplatin and taxol. I have had a few breaks being in "remission" but now I am at a point where the MD told me he cannot put in in remission anymore. So he has been switching me from drug to drug. I have repeated a few of the drugs. I took a couple of oral chemos. They are just trying to keep my ca125 as low and stable as possible. Right now I am receiving ifusamide and taxol and go inpt every 21 days. There are many days I get so tired that I want to give up. But I still have a decent quality of life. I was told there are many drugs for ovarian cancer. I live near New Haven, CT where there is a big cancer center "Smilow" Cancer Center. I would try to work on getting a new MD who is more knowledgable on these issues or get involved in clinical trials. I wish you the best in the future. Try to keep a positive attitude. Dotty

  • poopergirl14052
    poopergirl14052 Member Posts: 1,183 Member
    #4
    dottyann said:

    Different drugs

    I am 66 and have been fighting this since 2006. Started out with surgery and chemo with cisplatin and taxol. I have had a few breaks being in "remission" but now I am at a point where the MD told me he cannot put in in remission anymore. So he has been switching me from drug to drug. I have repeated a few of the drugs. I took a couple of oral chemos. They are just trying to keep my ca125 as low and stable as possible. Right now I am receiving ifusamide and taxol and go inpt every 21 days. There are many days I get so tired that I want to give up. But I still have a decent quality of life. I was told there are many drugs for ovarian cancer. I live near New Haven, CT where there is a big cancer center "Smilow" Cancer Center. I would try to work on getting a new MD who is more knowledgable on these issues or get involved in clinical trials. I wish you the best in the future. Try to keep a positive attitude. Dotty

    Chemo

    yes..there are several different drugs out there. I have mostly been on Carboplantin/Taxol as it still works for me. It is a very difficult combo but is keeping me stable. I also had six weeks of radiation this summer. Has your Doctor mentioned this? Don't be afraid to ask questions...it is your right. Maybe a second opinion wouldn't hurt...stay strong...Val 

  • mom2greatkids
    mom2greatkids Member Posts: 528
    #5
    poopergirl14052 said:

    Chemo

    yes..there are several different drugs out there. I have mostly been on Carboplantin/Taxol as it still works for me. It is a very difficult combo but is keeping me stable. I also had six weeks of radiation this summer. Has your Doctor mentioned this? Don't be afraid to ask questions...it is your right. Maybe a second opinion wouldn't hurt...stay strong...Val 

    I have asked about radiation.

    I have asked about radiation.  He says that's not an option.  It's too wide spread in the abdominal area.  I'm going to see whether or not topotecan is doing the job. I'll have scans in about 3 or 4 weeks. If not, I'm seeking a second opinion.  

     

    THanks for the encouragement ladies.

     

    Carla

  • JulieBelle
    JulieBelle Member Posts: 61
    #6
    mom2greatkids said:

    I have asked about radiation.

    I have asked about radiation.  He says that's not an option.  It's too wide spread in the abdominal area.  I'm going to see whether or not topotecan is doing the job. I'll have scans in about 3 or 4 weeks. If not, I'm seeking a second opinion.  

     

    THanks for the encouragement ladies.

     

    Carla

    Other chemos

    Hi Carla

    I wish you well with your future treatments.

    As well as the chemos you list I have also been on Etopocide and have this week started Methotrexate.  Fingers crossed for this latest one.   25 months since diagnosis with Stage 4 PPC and only a 2 month remission.  So I have been on chemo for 23 of the last 25 months.  I too have not repeated any chemos. Generally I have been feeling OK although more recently have been hospitalised four times with infections (2 serious) and now lymphodaema in my legs is giving me trouble.  

    Good luck!!  

    Julie x

  • Licha
    Licha Member Posts: 21
    #7
    dottyann said:

    Different drugs

    I am 66 and have been fighting this since 2006. Started out with surgery and chemo with cisplatin and taxol. I have had a few breaks being in "remission" but now I am at a point where the MD told me he cannot put in in remission anymore. So he has been switching me from drug to drug. I have repeated a few of the drugs. I took a couple of oral chemos. They are just trying to keep my ca125 as low and stable as possible. Right now I am receiving ifusamide and taxol and go inpt every 21 days. There are many days I get so tired that I want to give up. But I still have a decent quality of life. I was told there are many drugs for ovarian cancer. I live near New Haven, CT where there is a big cancer center "Smilow" Cancer Center. I would try to work on getting a new MD who is more knowledgable on these issues or get involved in clinical trials. I wish you the best in the future. Try to keep a positive attitude. Dotty

    Different drugs

    Hi Dotty your case sounds like mine, i was diagnosed May/11, had surgery 3 different chemos for nine months, remission for 6 months, cancer came back and started treatment again with avastin for 6 months, remission for 6 months and now treatment works for 3 monts, went to MD Anderson for another opinion but they said my Drs here in Memphis are giving me the right treatment. Now they are givig me Taxoteer and avastin again same treatment from 2011, My CA125 is still 100 or less, my ct scan is stable.

    I recive: Doxil, Platinol, Hydrocodon, carboplatin etc. I didn't qualify for clinical trials because I went to remission twice according with my Dr in Houston

    I stoped working, I have a decent quelity of life like you but still want to fight,  please let me know if you find anything out there.

    Thank you, Licha

     

  • 2timothy1 7
    2timothy1 7 Member Posts: 345
    #8
    Drugs

    Hi Carla

    just wanted to throw my 2 cents in. If you can find a PARP trial I would highly recommend it. I have been on one since April 2012. Very mild side effects. My ca 125 is now rising but I have had a wonderful 11 months on this drug! 

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