Opting for Cap/Ox/Avastin adjuvant chemo. Any experience?

BRHMichigan
BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Met with Oncologist today.  Since I don't want a port, he said we can do Xeloda at a higher dose, along with Oxyplatin and Avastin.  Has anyone else chosen this route?  I would be interested in your experience.

I would be 7 days on, 7 days off with Xeloda.  4 pills am and4 pills pm.  They would inject the Oxy and Avastin every other week.  I will.get a CT scan at 2 months to see if I am responding.  Sure hope so!  My cancer is pretty aggressive.  Genetic testing of the tumor after surgery revealed no Lynch, but one KRAS mutation.  They know I won't respond to a few drugs.  He is sending out for more testing to see if I'm a candidate for clinical trials if needed.

 

Thanks!

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Comments

  • Makord
    Makord Member Posts: 37
    #2
    hello! What stage are you? My

    hello! What stage are you? My mother was diagnosed stage 4 rectal cancer with mets in liver and lungs just a month ago, 2 months after rectal surgery; she opted in for Folfox 4, she didn't want a port either hence we will be entering hospital every 2 weeks for 2 days. She has KRAS mutation so some targeted drugs are not an option for her either. We try to see as we go forward if she can take Folfox 6 (same drugs as Folfox 4 but bigger dosage in one of them) or she stays with 4. Also we will see if we will risk with Avastin. The combination of Folfox and Avastin is better vs Folfox alone but my mother has serious vescular problems and Avastin is responsible for some vessel side effects as far as I read; our doctor doesn't want to add right away. We will see.

    hope this helps, all my warmest wishes for the very best! Take care and share your news.

    mariana 

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    edited November 2017 #3
    I’m KRAS mutant as well and

    I’m KRAS mutant as well and am looking at similar stuff in a month. How are you feeling these days?

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    #4
    Oxaliplatin is the toughie..

    I had Oxaliplatin through a IV Port and had a leak. I don't see how you can take it without a port. I had a Blood Clot develop and needed 80 days of Xyrolta after the leak.

    I'm on Xeloda and Avastin as maintenance Chemo. No apparent problem, dropped my CEA from 9.8 to 3.9 and is steady.

    You need to watch High Blood Pressure and Protiens in the urine.

    Best of Luck in your treatment.

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    edited November 2017 #5
    Mikenh said:

    I’m KRAS mutant as well and

    I’m KRAS mutant as well and am looking at similar stuff in a month. How are you feeling these days?

    Feeling good

    Hi, Mike.  I am feeling good overall.  I will go back to work in a few weeks.  Hope I can keep up during treatment.

    Glad your surgery went well.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #6
    Ugg No Port

    I'd think that would be difficult with no port with the oxi.  I'm not sure how they will infuse it but if it's through the veins it can wear havoc on those.  Why no port?  It was easy to put in and very accessible and easy to take out.  Just wondering why you don't want a port.  Hoping all goes well.

    Kim

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    edited November 2017 #7
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Ugg No Port

    I'd think that would be difficult with no port with the oxi.  I'm not sure how they will infuse it but if it's through the veins it can wear havoc on those.  Why no port?  It was easy to put in and very accessible and easy to take out.  Just wondering why you don't want a port.  Hoping all goes well.

    Kim

    How

    Hi, Kim.

    I know risks are minimal with a port but I have some odd fear about it.  Oncologist said I have good veins so I can get the Oxy & Avastin intrvenously.  And I'll take Xeloda orally instead of Folfox.  He said they do this in Europe.  And a large study showed no difference in outcomes.

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #8
    BRHMichigan said:

    Feeling good

    Hi, Mike.  I am feeling good overall.  I will go back to work in a few weeks.  Hope I can keep up during treatment.

    Glad your surgery went well.

    That’s outstanding stuff. I’m

    That’s outstanding stuff. I’m glad you’re feeling that much better.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #9
    No port

    I think you will find most people here who had the port, will scream, 'GET A PORT!'.  

    I did have a freind who had IV cheom in England, and it shot his veins so much that he ended up getting a port. 

    Of course there are risks, and some people have problems. Oh, but the port was SUCH a blessing. So easy to access, for me at least. No pain! The only thing I didn't like, it was place under my bra strap, which was quite inconvenient. 

    But of course, it is your body and your choice, and whichever you choose, we wish you the best of everything. 

    Good luck as you go back to work. 

    Tru

  • Watersprite3
    Watersprite3 Member Posts: 31
    #10
    Port

    My doctor didn't give me any real choice in the matter - he just sent me to get the port.  I was still early in the whole process and didn't really know much about it.  You can start the chemo without the port, and if your veins start getting beat up can have one put in.  I have never regretted having mine, it seemed to make everything easier.  My only problem was if I was a passenger in a car the port was just under my seat belt.  Since I tend to drive myself everywhere (including to chemo) that didn't present much of a problem.

    Like Tru said, "it is your body and your choice".  Hope everything goes well for you.

    Eileen

     

  • Ruthmomto4
    Ruthmomto4 Member Posts: 708 Member
    #11
    Hi Beth!!

    i am so happy you are feeling better! If you don't want the port and the doctor said it ok then go for it!  you can always get it later if you have to right? My husband said it was pretty simple you don't even notice either. Whatever you do it's your call, I hope you feel good through the treatment!!! 

  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #12
    Have you thought of using a PIC line instead of a port?

    The oxi may cause pain in your arm when injected......

  • Kazenmax
    Kazenmax Member Posts: 463 Member
    #13
    Oxy

    Hi. When I started my treatment (xeloda pills and oxy infusion) my port was blocked. They had to give me the oxy using IV. It was rough stuff. It blew out my vein. I remember it hurt quite a bit and afterwards the vein in my arm was rock hard. It took a while to return to normal.

    Not sure if the same will happen to you but I was very glad I had the port after that first infusion.

    k

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    edited November 2017 #14
    Makord said:

    hello! What stage are you? My

    hello! What stage are you? My mother was diagnosed stage 4 rectal cancer with mets in liver and lungs just a month ago, 2 months after rectal surgery; she opted in for Folfox 4, she didn't want a port either hence we will be entering hospital every 2 weeks for 2 days. She has KRAS mutation so some targeted drugs are not an option for her either. We try to see as we go forward if she can take Folfox 6 (same drugs as Folfox 4 but bigger dosage in one of them) or she stays with 4. Also we will see if we will risk with Avastin. The combination of Folfox and Avastin is better vs Folfox alone but my mother has serious vescular problems and Avastin is responsible for some vessel side effects as far as I read; our doctor doesn't want to add right away. We will see.

    hope this helps, all my warmest wishes for the very best! Take care and share your news.

    mariana 

    Stage 4

    Hi Mariana.  I am also stage 4 like your mother.  You seem like a very loving caregiver.  I will not need to be hospitalized for treatment.  Just hope my veins don't get too beat up.

    Hoping and praying we respond positively to our treatments!

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #15
    Mikenh said:

    That’s outstanding stuff. I’m

    That’s outstanding stuff. I’m glad you’re feeling that much better.

    Homeward bound?

    Do you know when you can return home yet?  Took me until week 3/4 to feel like myself again.  Light headedness has disappeared altogether.  Incisions are healed.  Mastered the ostomy.  Gaining weight...finally.  Was down to 144 in hospital.  Up to 156 yesterday.  This is a good weight for my frame.

    Hoping your pain mgmt is going well.  That was the hatdest part for me.  Along with insomnia that I am still working on.  Need to be strong for upcoming chemo!

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #16
    Appreciate you all

    Thanks, everyone, for the input.  That is scary that the Oxyplatin was hard on some of your veins.  I am sitting with the chemo specialist next Wednesday and will bring all of this up.  The Oxyplatin brings on the worst side effects.  It''s probably important in killing the cancer since they don't reduce the dose or remove it until the neuropathy is intolerable.  I am not looking forward to this, but owe it to my family to try everything I believe may help.

  • Mikenh
    Mikenh Member Posts: 777 Member
    #17
    BRHMichigan said:

    Appreciate you all

    Thanks, everyone, for the input.  That is scary that the Oxyplatin was hard on some of your veins.  I am sitting with the chemo specialist next Wednesday and will bring all of this up.  The Oxyplatin brings on the worst side effects.  It''s probably important in killing the cancer since they don't reduce the dose or remove it until the neuropathy is intolerable.  I am not looking forward to this, but owe it to my family to try everything I believe may help.

    Hello Beth,

    Hello Beth,

    Thats the thing with Oxy - vast majority have problems with it but do it anyways. And I expect to do it wigh a port and see those symptoms myself. I gave myself an injection today and I’m scared of needles. I think that we’ve all done a lot of tough things in this journey.

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409 Member
    #18
    Oxaliplatin

    I did  eight rounds of Folfox plus  Avastin (with a port) and had few troublesome side effects.  My oncologist and the nurses had warned me beforehand what to expect from the  oxaliplatin and advised me to not eat or drink anything cold, never let my feet get cold ( I wore socks at all times- even to sleep in), and wear gloves whenever  opening the fridge, shopping in the frozen foods section, etc. I do have a little neuropathy in my feet, but it's quite minimal. I hope you also have minimal side effects.

    Grace/lizard44

     

  • airborne72
    airborne72 Member Posts: 303 Member
    edited November 2017 #19
    No experience to offer...

    Beth:

    My only experience with chemo so far has been Xeloda, just like you.  Also, similar to you, I have decided to do mop-up chemo, but with provisions.  My chemical will be FOLFOX6.

    I discussed this with my onco yesterday and this was the joint decision - I will do 6 two week sessions and if prior to that point I begin to feel the effects of neuropathy I will throw in the towel.  My hands can't take any additional circulatory/sensory maladjustment.  That is the quality of life line that I have drawn.

    My start date is 15 November provided I bulk up some (133 lbs currently) and my ostomy is ready to go.  To heck with my ostomy, I am ready to get this over with and put this disease behind me!!

    Jim

  • BRHMichigan
    BRHMichigan Member Posts: 368
    #20
    airborne72 said:

    No experience to offer...

    Beth:

    My only experience with chemo so far has been Xeloda, just like you.  Also, similar to you, I have decided to do mop-up chemo, but with provisions.  My chemical will be FOLFOX6.

    I discussed this with my onco yesterday and this was the joint decision - I will do 6 two week sessions and if prior to that point I begin to feel the effects of neuropathy I will throw in the towel.  My hands can't take any additional circulatory/sensory maladjustment.  That is the quality of life line that I have drawn.

    My start date is 15 November provided I bulk up some (133 lbs currently) and my ostomy is ready to go.  To heck with my ostomy, I am ready to get this over with and put this disease behind me!!

    Jim

     Would love for this to be

     Would love for this to be behind you!!  So no Oxy or Avastin for you?  How awesome.  I think I need them vecause I am Stage 4 now.  But I am not thrilled with the Oxyplatin side effects.  

    I am only looking at 2 or 3 months of chemo to start.  Maybe he thinks my veins can handle it?  You've all given me cause for concern.  I will discuss with the docs before committing.

  • lizard44
    lizard44 Member Posts: 409 Member
    #21
    BRHMichigan said:

     Would love for this to be

     Would love for this to be behind you!!  So no Oxy or Avastin for you?  How awesome.  I think I need them vecause I am Stage 4 now.  But I am not thrilled with the Oxyplatin side effects.  

    I am only looking at 2 or 3 months of chemo to start.  Maybe he thinks my veins can handle it?  You've all given me cause for concern.  I will discuss with the docs before committing.

    Beth, the FOLFOX

    that Jim mentioned is a combination that includes oxaliplatin: FOL= Folinic Acid; F=Fluorouracil; OX=Oxaliplatin

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