Taxotere for recurrent OVC

als26
als26 Member Posts: 46 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Has anyone with recurrent OVC used Taxotere? If so, can you please let me know if it worked and how long you were in remission after you received it?

Comments

  • jochan
    jochan Member Posts: 19
    #2
    Is Taxotere the same as Taxol?
  • mirtle
    mirtle Member Posts: 32 Member
    #3
    Dear als26 -- I am being treated for recurring. At first they tried Doxil, then Taxotere/Carbo. The down time after infusion was pretty bad for me so after three or four treatments, they put me on taxol/carbo. My CA125 has dropped considerably during this treatment and my scans are showing measurable shrinkage of the lesions. I would call it a success. I'll have to let you know later how long these results last but I was treated with taxol in 1993 and it didn't recur until 2003. I'm hoping for the same results, if not better. Hope this helps you.
  • jochan
    jochan Member Posts: 19
    #4
    Dear Mirtle, What is the difference between taxol and taxotere? Is it a better version? Thank you. Jochan
  • christiansted
    christiansted Member Posts: 2
    #5
    Am on my second post chemo chemo taxotere--ie. I received 6 carboplatin- taxols, then second look surgery, then a taxol,then a taxotere and am due for a second taxotere. I am cancer-free, have had a 9 -14 ca-125 since November. I was switched to Taxotere because the neuropathy side effects were not so severe. I was early stage 3. I go to MSK.
  • christiansted
    christiansted Member Posts: 2
    #6
    mirtle said:

    Dear als26 -- I am being treated for recurring. At first they tried Doxil, then Taxotere/Carbo. The down time after infusion was pretty bad for me so after three or four treatments, they put me on taxol/carbo. My CA125 has dropped considerably during this treatment and my scans are showing measurable shrinkage of the lesions. I would call it a success. I'll have to let you know later how long these results last but I was treated with taxol in 1993 and it didn't recur until 2003. I'm hoping for the same results, if not better. Hope this helps you.

    Mirtle, I ve researched alot but I think I am really ignorant about one of the most salient facts of my new post ovarian life--recurrence. I was diagnosed in July 2002 after two years of trying to be diagnosed--ie. going to doctors with mild but troublesome symptoms. Surgery, chemo carbo-taxol, now post 2nd look surgery chemo of taxol,then taxotere. Yet I find almost no information about what I might reasonably expect about recurrence---how is your recurrence, emotionally, physically---have they operated, do they give you good chances, do you feel ok, is the chemo more difficult, how old are you, do you think you'll make it, etc. thanks
  • mirtle
    mirtle Member Posts: 32 Member
    #7
    christiansted said:

    Mirtle, I ve researched alot but I think I am really ignorant about one of the most salient facts of my new post ovarian life--recurrence. I was diagnosed in July 2002 after two years of trying to be diagnosed--ie. going to doctors with mild but troublesome symptoms. Surgery, chemo carbo-taxol, now post 2nd look surgery chemo of taxol,then taxotere. Yet I find almost no information about what I might reasonably expect about recurrence---how is your recurrence, emotionally, physically---have they operated, do they give you good chances, do you feel ok, is the chemo more difficult, how old are you, do you think you'll make it, etc. thanks

    After nine years I didn't think it would come back. I was devastated when they found it again but life goes on. I am sure that I will make it. They are finding new things every day. The most important thing to me is to continue life as usual. I have the most wonderful support system. My family is wonderful and the people that I work with could not be any more supportive. I never worry about not having a job or someone taking my place. The chemo doesn't seem as difficult as it was because of the new antinausea drugs. I'm 49 and consider myself very lucky to even be alive. I WILL survive this -- I have no doubt. I try not to think about the odds. I have had no surgery this time. I wake up every day and thank God that I woke up one more time. I hope this helps you. You can't worry about it. Just go on with your life. If it comes back -- fight it again.
  • als26
    als26 Member Posts: 46 Member
    #8
    mirtle said:

    Dear als26 -- I am being treated for recurring. At first they tried Doxil, then Taxotere/Carbo. The down time after infusion was pretty bad for me so after three or four treatments, they put me on taxol/carbo. My CA125 has dropped considerably during this treatment and my scans are showing measurable shrinkage of the lesions. I would call it a success. I'll have to let you know later how long these results last but I was treated with taxol in 1993 and it didn't recur until 2003. I'm hoping for the same results, if not better. Hope this helps you.

    Thanks Mirtle..That's so good to hear that you were cancer free for 10 years.. That gives my family great hope. My Mom's on Doxil right now. When I wrote this note, I thought they were going to switch her to Taxotere. They kept her on Doxil because her CA125 is starting to drop. Good news!! Thanks for your response.
  • mirtle
    mirtle Member Posts: 32 Member
    #9
    jochan said:

    Dear Mirtle, What is the difference between taxol and taxotere? Is it a better version? Thank you. Jochan

    Jo, the side effects are different. With the taxotere I experienced difficulty in recovering from the chemo. I had nausea and fatigue for 7-10 days. With the taxol, I have very little nausea and I am able to get out of bed and sit up for large portions of the day instead of being totally bed-ridden for the first three or four days. The neuropathy is worse with the taxol but I would rather have that than being flat on my back for days on end. I think it is just different strokes for different folks. Taxotere has more effect on blood counts (i.e., red blood cells and white blood cells). Hope this helps.
  • joshaff
    joshaff Member Posts: 4
    #10
    mirtle said:

    After nine years I didn't think it would come back. I was devastated when they found it again but life goes on. I am sure that I will make it. They are finding new things every day. The most important thing to me is to continue life as usual. I have the most wonderful support system. My family is wonderful and the people that I work with could not be any more supportive. I never worry about not having a job or someone taking my place. The chemo doesn't seem as difficult as it was because of the new antinausea drugs. I'm 49 and consider myself very lucky to even be alive. I WILL survive this -- I have no doubt. I try not to think about the odds. I have had no surgery this time. I wake up every day and thank God that I woke up one more time. I hope this helps you. You can't worry about it. Just go on with your life. If it comes back -- fight it again.

    Hi mirtle, How was recurrance discovered. I have ben cancer free for 10 yearsnow but still worry. Get ca125 done once a year now, but really don't think this is a very good test. Can just imagine how devestated you were to have the damn stuff come back. My Dr always tells me very slim chance it will come back but I still worry sometimes Most of the time I have a positive attitude. My prayers are with you, I have made alot of friends when I went to a support group and they were a lot of heop to me when I was going through chemo.

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