Avastin after all clear??

Kathleen808
Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi All,
**** still has 2 treatments to go Folfori + Avastin and then he will have a CAT/ PET scan at the end of March. We are hoping and praying for an all clear. Today at the onc, we asked if he gets an all clear, what will the plan be. The onc said he may suggest Avastin for the the next 6 months to a year. Have any of you had Avastin after an all clear? Have any of you heard of this?

Thanks.

Aloha,
Kathleen

Comments

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #2
    I didn't have it then
    but as far as a precaution, I think it's not a bad idea. I don't remember
    the side effects being too harsh at all. But then again, I have it with FOLFOX and oxy...
    They are always finding new protocols for meds.

    Did you ask his Onc why he suggests it?
    I hope his scan is all clear...
    -phil
  • zenmonk
    zenmonk Member Posts: 198
    #3
    yes
    I had avastin for about 4 months when I was essentially all clear. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it was a good idea. His words "I think its best to make sure that we can say we played our best had with the chemo." Been off for about 4 months and feeling great! Aloha
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #4
    zenmonk said:

    yes
    I had avastin for about 4 months when I was essentially all clear. I asked my doctor about it and he said that it was a good idea. His words "I think its best to make sure that we can say we played our best had with the chemo." Been off for about 4 months and feeling great! Aloha

    I would have
    Kathleen,

    I would have had 6 months of Avastin alone after chemo and all clear. Unfortunately, I only had one treatment of Avastin alone and then developed a pulmonary embolis and lung infarct.After that my oncologist decided it wasn't worth the risk of continuing the Avastin since I was NED. I was disappointed because I really wanted the extra assurance of the additional Avastin. Thankfully, as of now I am still NED (StageIV).

    So glad to hear **** is all clear!!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • Devasted
    Devasted Member Posts: 185
    #5
    dmdwins said:

    I would have
    Kathleen,

    I would have had 6 months of Avastin alone after chemo and all clear. Unfortunately, I only had one treatment of Avastin alone and then developed a pulmonary embolis and lung infarct.After that my oncologist decided it wasn't worth the risk of continuing the Avastin since I was NED. I was disappointed because I really wanted the extra assurance of the additional Avastin. Thankfully, as of now I am still NED (StageIV).

    So glad to hear **** is all clear!!!

    Smiles,
    Dawn

    Started Avastin today
    My husband just completed 12 FOLFOX treatments mid February. He will have
    Avastin infusions for 3 months (90 minutes infusions once every three weeks)
    then CT Scan. The onc. said this is "The Gold Standard" for now.
    We'll see how it goes..

    Good luck to you and great to hear **** is all clear!
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #7
    I thought Avastin was to
    I thought Avastin was to 'starve tumors' by limiting blood supply. **** is being tx'd for one lymph node and no tumor, correct? I'd wonder the reasoning for Avastin, too.
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #8
    Kathleen
    When George completed the whole six months of the whole Folfox thing, the CT scan showed significant improvement. He got a break over Christmas then started back on IV infusion of 5FU and Leucovorin every week, adding Avastin every other week. If they want Avastin after the all clear go for it, take the insurance card. Hope all comes out well and please keep us informed. I sure hope it is good news coming your way and it is a gift that keeps on giving. Take care from a freezing Michigan, suppose to hit 40 this week. Tina
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #9
    Thanks for info
    Thanks everyone for your good info. You are always the best with ideas, info, facts, opinions. I truly appreciate you.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #10
    Avastin after clear scans
    I had a solitary lung nodule removed last April. Did 6 cycles of Xeloda & Avastin (PET and CT clear). I'm continuing on Avastin only until at least the one year mark. This is being done a lot these days in Stage IV patients who show no evidence of disease. Some evidence that Avastin works slowly and may work best in the presence of a lower tumor burden.

    Not sure if we'll stop the Avastin next June or not. Trouble is that there are really no stopping criteria - is the Avastin preventing a recurrence or not? Who knows? Meanwhile, except for very annoying nasal congestion, I tolerate it well, so for the foreseeable future I'll be getting Avastin every 3 weeks
  • sfmarie
    sfmarie Member Posts: 602
    #11
    Microscopic Disease
    From a symposium on colon cancer I went to, the panel stated that often with stage iv, there is microscopic disease that the PET and surgeon cannot see. As a sort of "insurance", chemo is continued to ensure that all signs of the cancer die. I say, YES! You would hate to revisit this beast down the road. Aloha, Marie
  • RickMurtagh
    RickMurtagh Member Posts: 587 Member
    #12
    pirate voice
    I don't know, but any time someone says Avastin, I think they should have to talk in a pirate voice. Eh, maties?
  • Paula G.
    Paula G. Member Posts: 596
    #13
    I don't know about the
    I don't know about the avastin alone but it is so great you have come so far. It sounds like great news.I like the good news, keep it coming. Paula

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