Chemo treatments for second recurrency

zinaida
zinaida Member Posts: 221
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I had my initial chemotreatment March-July 2007 - 6 cycles carboplatin/taxoter +(herceptin one year for HER2 pos. breast cancer). My first reccurency of ovarian cancer a year ago was treated with 8 cycles of carboplatin/gemzar. After 5 month (remission? or chemo brake?) my cancers back again. My gyn/onc recommend this time DOXIL/AVASTIN and second opinion onc. doctor - TAXOL/AVASTIN. I like to hear from you my dear teal sisters if you had one or other combination and did you get remission from either one and for how long. Thanks, Zina.

Comments

  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #2
    Zina,

    I have not been in a second remission...yet. Since my recurrence last year I've been on Doxil alone did not work, Gemzar/Carbo - carbo dropped after 2nd infusion due to alleric reaction - Gemzar held me stable for 5 months, then clinical trial it did not work. I just started Avastin/Cytoxan. Avastin is given every 3rd week and the cytoxan is taken orally daily 3 weeks on, one week off. My doctor told me if this combo doesn't work he will do Avastin/Taxol. It will be 2yrs since I've last had Taxol.

    Good Luck with whatever you choose. Is it an option for you to go into a PARP trial? There is ongoing PARP studies with Doxil. I'll be interested to say how others weigh in.
  • jloe
    jloe Member Posts: 174
    #3
    TAXOL/AVASTIN
    Zina,
    I have had this combination. 3 weeks straight of taxol and added avastin on the 3rd treatment. I did lose my hair from the taxol but it took a while and no other reall big side efects. Then I went on avasin and a daily oral cytoxan. The only side eefect was the elevated blood pressure that was controled by meds but then went out of control. My Dr. took me off of the avastin and he is looking at clinical trials at MSK. Unfortunatley, I have had no luck with remission but I am considered "stable" and no surgery is needed. I do beleive that there has been a lot of positive feed back with avastin and there are not a lot of side effects. Good luck and hope your treatments are not difficult!
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #4
    jloe said:

    TAXOL/AVASTIN
    Zina,
    I have had this combination. 3 weeks straight of taxol and added avastin on the 3rd treatment. I did lose my hair from the taxol but it took a while and no other reall big side efects. Then I went on avasin and a daily oral cytoxan. The only side eefect was the elevated blood pressure that was controled by meds but then went out of control. My Dr. took me off of the avastin and he is looking at clinical trials at MSK. Unfortunatley, I have had no luck with remission but I am considered "stable" and no surgery is needed. I do beleive that there has been a lot of positive feed back with avastin and there are not a lot of side effects. Good luck and hope your treatments are not difficult!

    Thanks Nancy and JLoe!
    Thanks Nancy and JLoe! Second opinion doc. did offer me PARP inhibitor trial phase 1, but it is will be available to me in two month. My cancer spots in pelvic area (5 of them) all ready from 0,5 to 1,8cm in size, by now probably biger. I have to do some thing to knock them down. Doctor will let me know when I can go on Trial, but in meantime he told me I can go ahead with treatments, I stiil will be eligible for trial. They do research through NCI ( National Cancer Institut). (((HUGS))), Zina.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #5
    Hi Zina,
    It sounds like we were dx about the same time. (I was June 07) Since your first carbo/taxol gave you a year of remission, and you have not had taxol since then, I would vote for taxol/avastin. I am back on taxol after not having it for 21/2 years and it is working. Doxil held my cancer back for a year, but did not kill it. but taxol is pushing it way back. I am getting the dense dose taxol(every week) with carbo/taxol on 1st week.
    My two cents.
    Hugs,
    kathleen
  • zinaida
    zinaida Member Posts: 221
    #6
    kayandok said:

    Hi Zina,
    It sounds like we were dx about the same time. (I was June 07) Since your first carbo/taxol gave you a year of remission, and you have not had taxol since then, I would vote for taxol/avastin. I am back on taxol after not having it for 21/2 years and it is working. Doxil held my cancer back for a year, but did not kill it. but taxol is pushing it way back. I am getting the dense dose taxol(every week) with carbo/taxol on 1st week.
    My two cents.
    Hugs,
    kathleen

    Thanks, Kathleen! Hope it is
    Thanks, Kathleen! Hope it is wiil be way back for long, long, long..... time for you. I like yours "two cents" :).I do have hard time to make decision. When I search online: TAXOL/AVASTIN used for breast cancer and we know FDA not approved AVASTIN for breast cancer, no benefits from this drug for BC patients. I ask second opinion doc. - why he recommend AVASTIN for ovarian cancer. His answer - AVASTIN was never approved by FDA for OVC and it is stiil in study. DOXIL/AVASTIN - I did find online trial Phase 2 in NY going on right now. No body(doctors) told me about that.By monday-tuesday I have to make decision. Love you, sisters, (((Hugs))), Zina.

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