anyone's CA125 flatten out on weekly taxol?

UP
Never took it weekly but once my CA125 starts up it has continued or else I have to stop due to allergies.
Saundra

clamryn said:

Rising CA125
Linda I was on taxol for 6 infusions in 2008 and my CA125 continued to go down. Then I got a PET/Scan and I was NED until 2010. When my CA125 started rising (which wasn't a lot....I knew it was back). Went from 32, 48, 52. Now I am on doxil. My CA125 last month was 32 and it went up to 34. I am nervous as heck. When I had ovarian cancer in 1991 and went cancer free for the 17 years, my CA125 stayed around 8, 10. I can't really answer your question but I will definitely pray that your number goes down. Sending hugs to you. Linda

What stage?
I'm wondering what stage you were diagnosed at since you were in remission for 17 years?

nancy591 said:

What stage?
I'm wondering what stage you were diagnosed at since you were in remission for 17 years?

Stage 1C
Nancy it was 1C. It was all contained in my ovaries but it was found in the fluid. I had a radiation injection at the time. It was a one time thing and I was the 10th person to have it done at the hospital I was at. It was called P132. They don't use it anymore. Then I was on chemo pills for about 6 months but my white blood cells kept going down so my doctor took me off of them and I went cancer free for 17 years. I thought I had it beat.
Linda

Hi Linda,
I recently
Hi Linda,

I recently completed my weekly taxol (12-weeks total).

After 4 weeks of taxol my numbers went from 63 to 11 after 8 weeks to 3 and after the 12th week it was still 3 .

Next week I am due to see my oncologist, don't know what to expect; but I really enjoyed the break that's for sure.

Not sure if this is the answer you were looking for, but thought I'd offer the info and hope it helps.

Take care,

Sharon

msfanciful said:

Hi Linda,
I recently
Hi Linda,

I recently completed my weekly taxol (12-weeks total).

After 4 weeks of taxol my numbers went from 63 to 11 after 8 weeks to 3 and after the 12th week it was still 3 .

Next week I am due to see my oncologist, don't know what to expect; but I really enjoyed the break that's for sure.

Not sure if this is the answer you were looking for, but thought I'd offer the info and hope it helps.

Take care,

Sharon

Sharon, such great news for
Sharon, such great news for you! Your numbers sound awesome! --Annie

lindaprocopio said:

This week (still on weekly taxol) my CA125 went UP 7 points!
Well, now I really do think taxol has stopped being effective for me. My labs before Monday's weekly taxol infusion showed that my CA125 went from 71.5 to 78.3. So they've cancelled this next Monday's taxol infusion and are working to get me in for a CT/PET scan early next week to see what's going on. Counting the 6 carbo/taxols of my initial treatment protocol, I've had 23 rounds of taxol all together, and maybe that's as good a run on it as I can get. I hate to leave taxol behind as it has been such an easy chemo for me with no side effects other than baldness and some fatigue. If the CT/Pet shows no disease progression and some improvement since my last CT/PET 3 months ago, I'll stay on the weekly taxol and we'll just assume that my CA125 is no longer such an effective marker for me. (Included in that thought is that I has a CA125 of 45 the last time I was in a short remission with no evidence of disease on my CT/Pet). But I think it's more likely that the scan won't be that rosy and that I'll need to switch chemo drugs.

My next chemo line will be Doxil, so I'll need to get a MUGGA scan next week, too, if they can squeeze that in. I have mild lymphodema in my ankles from all the radiation I had, plus the 25 nodes removed during my surgery, and now the recurrence that metasticized in 3 lymph nodes. I'm worried that I won't be able to wear the compression stockings that keep the swelling under control while I'm on Doxil. I saw a lymphodema specialist about it yesterday and she said to try putting my compression stockings in the freezer before putting them on, and that I will probably just have to go without them and keep my feet propped up for the week right after each infusion. Anyone else have the combo problem of Doxil skin and lymphodema or any ideas for me?

Lymphedema
"Symptoms of Lymphedema
Lymphedema can develop in any part of the body or limb(s). Signs or symptoms of lymphedema to watch out for include: a full sensation in the limb(s), skin feeling tight, decreased flexibility in the hand, wrist or ankle, difficulty fitting into clothing in one specific area, or ring/wristwatch/bracelet tightness. If you notice persistent swelling, it is very important that you seek immediate medical advice (and get at least one second opinion) as early diagnosis and treatment improves both the prognosis and the condition.

Lymphedema develops in a number of stages, from mild to severe,referred to as Stage 1, 2 and 3:

Stage 1 (spontaneously reversible):
Tissue is still at the "pitting" stage, which means that when pressed by fingertips, the area indents and holds the indentation. Usually, upon waking in the morning, the limb(s) or affected area is normal or almost normal size.

Stage 2 (spontaneously irreversible):
The tissue now has a spongy consistency and is "non-pitting," meaning that when pressed by fingertips, the tissue bounces back without any indentation forming). Fibrosis found in Stage 2 lymphedema marks the beginning of the hardening of the limbs and increasing size.

Stage 3 (lymphostatic elephantiasis):
At this stage the swelling is irreversible and usually the limb(s) is/are very large. The tissue is hard (fibrotic) and unresponsive; some patients consider undergoing reconstructive surgery called "debulking" at this stage.

When lymphedema remains untreated, protein-rich fluid continues to accumulate, leading to an increase of swelling and a hardening or fibrosis of the tissue. In this state, the swollen limb(s) becomes a perfect culture medium for bacteria and subsequent recurrent lymphangitis (infections). Moreover, untreated lymphedema can lead into a decrease or loss of functioning of the limb(s), skin breakdown, chronic infections and, sometimes, irreversible complications. In the most severe cases, untreated lymphedema can develop into a rare form of lymphatic cancer called Lymphangiosarcoma (most often in secondary lymphedema).

Treatments for Lymphedema
If the lymphedema is not caused by infection: Depending on the severity of the lymphedema, the recommended treatment plan should be determined using an approach based on the Complex Decongestive Therapy (CDT) methods which consist of: a) manual lymphatic drainage; b) bandaging; c) proper skin care & diet; d) compression garments (sleeves, stockings, devices such as Reid Sleeve, CircAid, Tribute, as well as other alternative approaches); e) remedial exercises; f) self-manual lymphatic drainage & bandaging, if instruction is available; g) continue to follow prophylactic methods at all times.


Contraindications
1.Post-cancer surgery lymphedema patients who experience a sudden marked increase of swelling should immediately cease treatment and be checked by their physician for possible recurrent tumor or disease. Tumor growth can block the lymphatic flow causing a worsening of the condition. Although not yet proven in a controlled clinical study, many lymphedema specialists believe that patients with recurrent or metastatic disease should not undergo Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) in order not to promote the spreading of the cancer. Be sure to discuss this treatment with your doctor."

you can read more: http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/overview.htm