TPF protocol

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genie123
genie123 Member Posts: 6
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello,

I am new to this site and I am glad to have found all of you. My son was diagnosed with PSCC of the tonsil T4N2bM0,

and is having induction chemo using TPF. I am so concerned about his dosage because it is less than what i have researched. I am 

worried about the cancer cells coming back ,Plus the doc is unsure of what he's gonna do next. If anybody has unduction chemo with 

TPF, please respond and the dose of the drug is very important to me. 

thanks to all of you.

genie

Comments

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #2
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    Genie

    So sorry you had the need to find us. Personally, my cancer was of the jaw not tonsil and my chemo was Cisplatin. I'm sure others will chime in with help.  Is your son receiving tx at a major cancer center? It's very important that you have confidence in who/where he is getting  tx. If you aren't comfotable, get a second or third opinion.

    Candi 

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #3
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    Welcome...

    I was STGIII Tonsil cancer and a lymphnode, HPV+...

    I (and a few others) had TPF, Cisplatoin, Taxotere and 5FU... Three doses each three week cycle, nine weeks total. That followed with an additional seven weeks of weekly Carboplatin, daily radiation with each session getting Amifostine injections before each rad exposure.

    I don't remember the dosages, sorry..., and the 5FU was actually injected through the port from a fanny pack and pump setup. Eaxh Monday of chemo, ending late Thursday night.

    I'm sure your MD knows and has expereince with the meds..., if you don't have faith in them, you might as well seek other opinions..

    My Dx was January 2009, ended that summer..., clean and clear since.

    The only other thing going on from the above was the tonsils came out up front, and the yumor actually dissolved away during the initial nine weeks of induction chemo.

    Best,

    John

  • genie123
    genie123 Member Posts: 6
    #4
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    hwt said:

    Genie

    So sorry you had the need to find us. Personally, my cancer was of the jaw not tonsil and my chemo was Cisplatin. I'm sure others will chime in with help.  Is your son receiving tx at a major cancer center? It's very important that you have confidence in who/where he is getting  tx. If you aren't comfotable, get a second or third opinion.

    Candi 

    Tonsil Ca

    Hi Candi,

    Thanks for responding. My son is in Asia. 

    You can imagine how hard it is for me even thought he's already 40 years old.

    genie

  • genie123
    genie123 Member Posts: 6
    #5
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome...

    I was STGIII Tonsil cancer and a lymphnode, HPV+...

    I (and a few others) had TPF, Cisplatoin, Taxotere and 5FU... Three doses each three week cycle, nine weeks total. That followed with an additional seven weeks of weekly Carboplatin, daily radiation with each session getting Amifostine injections before each rad exposure.

    I don't remember the dosages, sorry..., and the 5FU was actually injected through the port from a fanny pack and pump setup. Eaxh Monday of chemo, ending late Thursday night.

    I'm sure your MD knows and has expereince with the meds..., if you don't have faith in them, you might as well seek other opinions..

    My Dx was January 2009, ended that summer..., clean and clear since.

    The only other thing going on from the above was the tonsils came out up front, and the yumor actually dissolved away during the initial nine weeks of induction chemo.

    Best,

    John

    TPF

     

    Hi John,

    My son is getting all tthe three , Taxotere, cisplatin and 5FU every three weeks for 6 cycles. The drugs are infused in 24 hours including hydration. He does not take home the 5FU, which is why I'm thinking he might be underdosed or overdosed. I'm afraid for the cancer cells to recur. I researched all over, with same type of cancer as his and same T4N2 M0, but have not come accross the dosage as his. I wanted to ask the doctor but my family is preventing me to do so because of culture issues.

    Did you have surgery for your lymphnodes. Did you have a swollen neck? How many cycles of chemo before you noticed that the lump has shrunk? when you had your radiation, did you have peg tube? Was it really tough?

    genie

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,771 Member
    #6
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    genie123 said:

    TPF

     

    Hi John,

    My son is getting all tthe three , Taxotere, cisplatin and 5FU every three weeks for 6 cycles. The drugs are infused in 24 hours including hydration. He does not take home the 5FU, which is why I'm thinking he might be underdosed or overdosed. I'm afraid for the cancer cells to recur. I researched all over, with same type of cancer as his and same T4N2 M0, but have not come accross the dosage as his. I wanted to ask the doctor but my family is preventing me to do so because of culture issues.

    Did you have surgery for your lymphnodes. Did you have a swollen neck? How many cycles of chemo before you noticed that the lump has shrunk? when you had your radiation, did you have peg tube? Was it really tough?

    genie

    Tpf

    Hi, 

    I had tpf,  same as John: 3 times at 3 week interval.  Originally, the  MO planned for 4 cycles but I was nearly dead and done after 3. The response was excellent so no need anyway.  Plus tpf  was followed by 70 grays,  delivered 35x 2gy. 

    You are not qualified nor have sufficient case facts to validate the MO recommended chemo regimen. The dosage is a target and based on weekly blood work the actual dosage may be  adjusted for that infusion.  

    In general, the more often  and shorter time between  infusions,  the dosage will be less. This is because the body can tolerate only so much toxicity.  

    It is not all that unusual for chemo treatment to be curtailed due to adverse side effects.  

    Given you are working across continents and cross cultures,  my  advice would be to focus on other areas where you're support would be more valued and unique. 

    Trying to follow the medical details in your situation is going to cause more fear and anxiety for no benefit to anyone. 

     

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
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    genie123 said:

    TPF

     

    Hi John,

    My son is getting all tthe three , Taxotere, cisplatin and 5FU every three weeks for 6 cycles. The drugs are infused in 24 hours including hydration. He does not take home the 5FU, which is why I'm thinking he might be underdosed or overdosed. I'm afraid for the cancer cells to recur. I researched all over, with same type of cancer as his and same T4N2 M0, but have not come accross the dosage as his. I wanted to ask the doctor but my family is preventing me to do so because of culture issues.

    Did you have surgery for your lymphnodes. Did you have a swollen neck? How many cycles of chemo before you noticed that the lump has shrunk? when you had your radiation, did you have peg tube? Was it really tough?

    genie

    Q&A

    Genie,

    I (nor DonFoo) below had PEG tubes..., not real uncommon, though many do have them. There is many factors and variables that come into play concerning the PEG.

    For me my neck actually did swell the first few days after the initial chemo, jsu some reaction I presume. But toward the end of the second cycle, the tumor was noticeably smaller. The end of the third cycle, it was completely gone confirmed with a CT.

    The only surgery I had was the tonsils coming out very first thing before any treatment.

     

    The treatment was tough, especially during rads and the concurrent chemo (seven weeks of carboplatin.

    But doable, everyone here has made it through some form of treatment..., many similar to mine.

    As Don mentioned, dosage can be cg=hanged, reduced or in some cases increased... I leave it to the professionals and trust them for their knowledge and expereince.

    Best,

    John

     

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