avastin + xelox vs 5FU

taraHK
taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi. I'm currently on FOLFOX (5FU-based) plus Avastin. I'm interested in Xelox + Avastin instead (I'm beginning to dread the 48 hr drip). But my oncologist feels there isn't enough evidence yet to support xelox + Avastin in the adjuvant context (ie for stage 2 or 3) -- Although there is good evidence for metastatic disease (ie stage 4). I'm interested in learning if anyone is taking xelox (the 'oral form' of 5FU) + Avastin who is stage II or III. And if so, are you in a trial or not. Thanks.

Comments

  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #2
    Hey, Tara. I'm stage IV so I don't know if my situation will help you so much. I'm taking 200mg daily of Xeloda + Avastin every two weeks. I used to take 5FU, it was my first treatment. Xeloda is much easier to handle. As far as I know, I'm currently NED (although a scan later this month will answer that question).

    Rodney
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #3
    Hey Tara, You know, there should be some good data by now. Two years ago, my onc would not give me the Xelox because it was still in-trial so, of course, I had Folfox. I did hear that tolerability really improves with the Xeloda part...
    What exactly are you hating so much (other than the damn pack)? Maybe we can chime in to help you through this...
    All the best to you - Maura
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
    CAMaura said:

    Hey Tara, You know, there should be some good data by now. Two years ago, my onc would not give me the Xelox because it was still in-trial so, of course, I had Folfox. I did hear that tolerability really improves with the Xeloda part...
    What exactly are you hating so much (other than the damn pack)? Maybe we can chime in to help you through this...
    All the best to you - Maura

    Well the problem is that I don't even have the damned pack. I have to be hospitalized for the entire time (48++ hrs). You know I live in Hong Kong and they are very conservative here....The hospital is very nice and the nurses are nice -- I just don't like having to be in the hospital. My onc isn't keen on the pump/pack either. He is terrific in other ways ---- Maybe I just have to grin and bear it....
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    rthornton said:

    Hey, Tara. I'm stage IV so I don't know if my situation will help you so much. I'm taking 200mg daily of Xeloda + Avastin every two weeks. I used to take 5FU, it was my first treatment. Xeloda is much easier to handle. As far as I know, I'm currently NED (although a scan later this month will answer that question).

    Rodney

    Hey Rodney -- good to hear from you. Thanks for this input. I did have a lung met removed so I'm in a funny state -- somewhere between Stage III and Stage IV. But not so different from you, I believe. Glad to hear you are finding the Xeloda easier -- anythng worse with Xelox? Finger peeling? Diarrhea? (Pardon the frank questions! We're that kinda group). Best of luck with the scan later this month. All my fingers and toes crossed for you....
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #6
    taraHK said:

    Well the problem is that I don't even have the damned pack. I have to be hospitalized for the entire time (48++ hrs). You know I live in Hong Kong and they are very conservative here....The hospital is very nice and the nurses are nice -- I just don't like having to be in the hospital. My onc isn't keen on the pump/pack either. He is terrific in other ways ---- Maybe I just have to grin and bear it....

    Okay, I get it. Wish I knew more about the availability of Xelox. With luck, a few more on site will know. I wasn't on Avastin, but if you need any help with Folfox side effects, I am always ready to help you. Take care and all the best thoughts coming your way - Maura
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #7
    hi. my husband just started with xelox yesterday. He entered a clinical trial, he is taking regular iv treatment with oxal, avastin, once very 3 weeks and will be taking xelox for 14 days then 7 days off. He takes 3,000 mg a day (1500 at nite and 1500 in am)He is stage IV with liver mets. Both doctors at the practice said that xelox produced same results generally as the 5FU,(we were told specifically it was NOT less effective) but easier to tolerate in some ways and may produce a possible increase in shrinkage of liver mets. We are worried about some of the side effects, i.e. hand foot syndrome, but as you know with all these medicines, nothing is the same for everyone and it really depends on the individual. I dont know about it being used for stage 2 or 3 but the pamphlets they gave us ( a mountain of them) say "to treat colon cancer" " to treat metatastic colon cancer" . With our situation , if he had the pump, he'd have to go two days for chemo treatment, wear pump home for 48 hrs and have someone come to the house to disconnect. On the trial he will go for ct's every 6 weeks, has blood drawn weekly and has the iv's every 3 weeks. The oncologists told us they have had good results with xelox so we are praying. I'll let you know if I find out anything about stage II or III usage, when I finish reading this mountain of books. Good Luck to you! God Bless
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
    hopefulone said:

    hi. my husband just started with xelox yesterday. He entered a clinical trial, he is taking regular iv treatment with oxal, avastin, once very 3 weeks and will be taking xelox for 14 days then 7 days off. He takes 3,000 mg a day (1500 at nite and 1500 in am)He is stage IV with liver mets. Both doctors at the practice said that xelox produced same results generally as the 5FU,(we were told specifically it was NOT less effective) but easier to tolerate in some ways and may produce a possible increase in shrinkage of liver mets. We are worried about some of the side effects, i.e. hand foot syndrome, but as you know with all these medicines, nothing is the same for everyone and it really depends on the individual. I dont know about it being used for stage 2 or 3 but the pamphlets they gave us ( a mountain of them) say "to treat colon cancer" " to treat metatastic colon cancer" . With our situation , if he had the pump, he'd have to go two days for chemo treatment, wear pump home for 48 hrs and have someone come to the house to disconnect. On the trial he will go for ct's every 6 weeks, has blood drawn weekly and has the iv's every 3 weeks. The oncologists told us they have had good results with xelox so we are praying. I'll let you know if I find out anything about stage II or III usage, when I finish reading this mountain of books. Good Luck to you! God Bless

    Thanks a lot for this -- it is very relevant to my situation and what I was hoping to find out. Don't worry about searching for more info on my situation -- sounds like you have PLENTY of information to be reading thro on your own. If I wear to swtich to xelox I would also come to hosp for the IV oxal + avasitc. It's good to know the details (schedule and dosage) for your regime. I think on clinical trials you get much more regular testing. I have blood tests before each cycle (to check on my red and white guys -- so far so good). But I won't be having a scan till I think half-way through (ie cycle 6) to check on how it's working. My area of concern is lung metss (I've had two). Thanks again. I like your name "hopefulone"
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #9
    taraHK said:

    Hey Rodney -- good to hear from you. Thanks for this input. I did have a lung met removed so I'm in a funny state -- somewhere between Stage III and Stage IV. But not so different from you, I believe. Glad to hear you are finding the Xeloda easier -- anythng worse with Xelox? Finger peeling? Diarrhea? (Pardon the frank questions! We're that kinda group). Best of luck with the scan later this month. All my fingers and toes crossed for you....

    Tara,

    I have not had any problems with diarrhea or GI distress, which was a HUGE HUGE problem, for me, with 5FU! I have had some peeling/blistering on the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet. Sometimes it can be difficult to walk, but that will only last for a day or two and then it's okay again. The fatigue that I experienced with 5FU is also much less with Xeloda. Also, I get really sniffly even if it's not really cold outside, but none of these are really big issues.

    I anticipate good results with this month's scans. Thanks for crossing your fingers and toes.

    Rodney

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