Avastin

joygirl529
joygirl529 Member Posts: 12
in Ovarian Cancer #1

My mother was diagnosed Oct. 2012 with UPSC (rare grade 3 form of uterine cancer that acts like ovarian) We have been through radical hysterectomy, carbo/taxol 8 rounds, then 2 rounds doxil, and 2 more rounds of carbo/taxol. It's stopped working. She has ascites which has flared up again and they have noticed changes in her scan. They are now putting her on Avastin alone. I have read alot and done research. Trying to figure out if this is a last chance effort to give her more time? I know without chemo, the avastin doesn't get rid of the cancer cells, it just works to stave off the growth? Anyone been put on Avastin after chemos? What happens when it stops working or she has side effects?

Comments

  • kimberly sue 63
    kimberly sue 63 Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
    Avastin is used to help

    Avastin is used to help reduce tumor growth and spread of the tumors by affectings it's blood vessel system. It does have some serious side effects . It can cause high blood pressure and bleeding in the gut. Talk with your doctor  about it. For ovarian cancer use it is still only available in clinical trials. There are 4 othe cancers it is currently FDA approved for use.  Kim

     

  • seatown
    seatown Member Posts: 261 Member
    #3
    My Avastin experience

    I was on Avastin for about 8 months in 2013. It's complicated (because for a few of those months I was on carboplatin & taxol too), but the short version is that Avastin didn't do much for me. So sorry if you are disappointed to hear me say this--it must work for some. Otherwise, why would they keep using it? What happened to me is that my CA125 number gradually rose to just out of normal range while I was on Avastin. On the other hand--maybe my CA125 would have risen more without Avastin.

    I had virtually no side effects on Avastin, & my oncologist says it's generally well tolerated. There is 1 very serious potential side effect--bleeding--but I understand it's rare.

    If you want to read more about my experience, you can look thru last year's entries at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/CaroleSeaton

    Best wishes.

  • joygirl529
    joygirl529 Member Posts: 12
    #4
    seatown said:

    My Avastin experience

    I was on Avastin for about 8 months in 2013. It's complicated (because for a few of those months I was on carboplatin & taxol too), but the short version is that Avastin didn't do much for me. So sorry if you are disappointed to hear me say this--it must work for some. Otherwise, why would they keep using it? What happened to me is that my CA125 number gradually rose to just out of normal range while I was on Avastin. On the other hand--maybe my CA125 would have risen more without Avastin.

    I had virtually no side effects on Avastin, & my oncologist says it's generally well tolerated. There is 1 very serious potential side effect--bleeding--but I understand it's rare.

    If you want to read more about my experience, you can look thru last year's entries at www.CaringBridge.org/visit/CaroleSeaton

    Best wishes.

    seatown

    thank you Seatown for the response. She is already having some blood pressure issues but otherwise so far so good. Unfortunately her carbo/taxol stopped working and her ca125 spiked back up to 9,000. We are anxious to see how her ca125 looks at her next treatment in 3 weeks. My mother's cancer is now the peritoneal cavity with malignant ascites, but it was originally uterine so I know it differs a little for you but it's nice to meet someone who is in a similar boat. We will definately check out your caring bridge. Thank you again

     

  • Cafewoman53
    Cafewoman53 Member Posts: 735 Member
    #5
    joygirl529 said:

    seatown

    thank you Seatown for the response. She is already having some blood pressure issues but otherwise so far so good. Unfortunately her carbo/taxol stopped working and her ca125 spiked back up to 9,000. We are anxious to see how her ca125 looks at her next treatment in 3 weeks. My mother's cancer is now the peritoneal cavity with malignant ascites, but it was originally uterine so I know it differs a little for you but it's nice to meet someone who is in a similar boat. We will definately check out your caring bridge. Thank you again

     

    Avastin

    I was put on Avastin after being on Carbo/ taxol for six rounds . I had mild blood pressure issues but after being on it for a long time my blood pressure went out of control so it was stopped. I think it kept my cancer under control while I was on it.

    Good luck with your mother , I hope they find the right treatment to make her feel better soon.

    Colleen

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