Mom´s PET Scan shows cancer again

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lizper
lizper Member Posts: 199
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Unfortunately my Mom´s PET Scan shows cancer again. The Dr. said she has lymph nodes behind her abdomen (behind her spinal cord and intestines where ever that is) that show metabolic activity. Fortunaltey organs seem o.k. So she needs chemo again.. this is her 2nd recurrance she just finished chemo in October for her 1st recurrance (treated with Gemzar and Cisplatin)... I had the hope that she might enjoy a longer remision but once again this dream is shattered. As I see the remissions are shorter each time. Probably we may night be able to go to Spain. The Dr. hasn't told me how often the chemo will be administrated. She will have 400 mgs AVASTIN and 60 mgs CAELYX can anyone give me info on this drugs? How good are they for fighting OVCA? Tks. Liz

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  • floridajo
    floridajo Member Posts: 480
    #2
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    Hi Lizper,
    i don't know all the specifics but this is what I have heard. Avastin is not considered a chemo,,,it is in a different catagory,but it works but stopping the blood flow to the tumors,that causes cell death. The other med is what we here in America call Doxil. I had 6 cycles of Doxil and it was easy for me to tolerate,it was only given once a month, a 1/1/2 hour treatment. It had some very specific rules to go by,which I can give you some tips on. I was on Doxil alone, and it gave me a 13 month remission. Also with Doxil sometimes your ca-125 number will go up, and then it should start to drop.For me my number never dropped until I was finished my 6 cycles,then it dropped a bit,but 3 months after I had been off it dropped even more. I'm not sure of the schedule for Avastin, but maybe you'll still get your chance to go to Spain. Good luck,I'll keep your Mom in prayer...(((hugz)))~~~JOanne
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #3
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    Liz, I am so sorry to hear of the Pet report. Maybe this Avastin will just be the one to give your mother a long remission. I will pray that is so. You have been so good to keep us informed. I hope that your Spain trip is going to come off. Travel plans are such an uplift for me. We are planning a trip to Costa Rica at the end of March. Those plans have lifted my morale and maybe planning for the Spain trip will make your Mother feel better too.
    (((HUGS)) Saundra
  • mopar
    mopar Member Posts: 1,972 Member
    #4
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    Sorry to hear, Liz. I don't have experience with these two drugs, but you've gotten some very encouraging responses. Your trip sounds wonderful and I think it will be just what your mother needs. There's plenty of time you'll be dealing with new treatment, etc., so take the time to enjoy the moments. Life is to be lived! My prayers and hugs coming your way!
    Monika
  • lizper
    lizper Member Posts: 199
    #5
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    floridajo said:

    Hi Lizper,
    i don't know all the specifics but this is what I have heard. Avastin is not considered a chemo,,,it is in a different catagory,but it works but stopping the blood flow to the tumors,that causes cell death. The other med is what we here in America call Doxil. I had 6 cycles of Doxil and it was easy for me to tolerate,it was only given once a month, a 1/1/2 hour treatment. It had some very specific rules to go by,which I can give you some tips on. I was on Doxil alone, and it gave me a 13 month remission. Also with Doxil sometimes your ca-125 number will go up, and then it should start to drop.For me my number never dropped until I was finished my 6 cycles,then it dropped a bit,but 3 months after I had been off it dropped even more. I'm not sure of the schedule for Avastin, but maybe you'll still get your chance to go to Spain. Good luck,I'll keep your Mom in prayer...(((hugz)))~~~JOanne

    Thank you.. I did not know CAELYX was the same as Doxil.. tks for the info.

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