Just Avastin & Zeloda?

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TLH 48
TLH 48 Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, I will be starting my treatment soon and was told by my Onc where I'll be treated that a third drug would also be introduced called Irinotecan. Has anyone just had Avastin and Zeloda by themselves. The Onc at M D Anderson I am sure just mentioned the two. This third drug seems to be pretty harsh when it comes to side affects and how much chemo can be on board. I plan to call M D Anderson tomorrow to see if my hearing was impaired! A few have mentioned using Avastin and Zeloda but did not mention a third drug. I am very concerned about this Irinotecan being added as I know Oncologists have different recipes. Is this truly necessary?

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  • texr56
    texr56 Member Posts: 2
    #2
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    avastin and xeloda
    I have been on Avastin (biweekely) and Xeloda 3000 mg daily two weeks on and two weeks off since mid january. So far so good and my disease is under control--CT shows stability, I am 10 months diagnosed with stage 4 rectal Ca wirh lung and liver mets.
    Irinotecan is used as a first line treatment part of FolFiri regimen--not sure I have heard of it being used for maintenance chemo with Xeloda and Avastin.

    Good luck in your quest to find out why this third drug might be used in your case,
  • jillpls
    jillpls Member Posts: 238
    #3
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    I've had both
    I was on Folfiri which is the cocktail of Irinotecan, with Avastin. Then after 12 cycles, and was ned, I went on just Avastin with Xeloda for about 10 months. It came back again so now I'm back on Folfox with Avastin. Folfox has been harder for me that the Folfiri this time around but I'm managing.
    Jill
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #4
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    I'm not sure what your
    I'm not sure what your "stage" is, but I am guessing 4 given the Avastin?

    When I was first diagnosed in 5/05, I had colon surgery and then 6 cycles of Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin - which eliminated my liver met. So, much as I hated it, I am all for it in a way!

    NED for 38 months, off chemo for 36. In November 2008, a recurrence in my lung (9x13mm) showed up - watched it and had it removed in 4/09 -'twas a colorectal met.

    Did 6 cycles of only Xeloda and Avastin (sort of adjuvant chemo with respect to that recurrence - my onc did not think oxaliplatin was warranted and I was fine happy) with that.) I have since continued on Avastin only and am NED based on scans every 3 months since my surgery. We may or may not stop the Avastin this summer - not sure.

    So, there are many approaches and it depends upon the patient. You may want or need to do a full guns approach to start with

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