Avastin Approval

[gah_70]

The FDA recently withdrew it's recommendation for using Avastin as an agent for treating breast cancer, saying the risks of using it far outweigh the benefits.  Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about what that may or may not do for getting it approved for treating ovarian cancer.  Most insurances still will not pay for it until it is approved.

Gail  

[marie3B]

We are all so different that our tolerance of these drugs really differs.  Avastin has been a breeze for me, but Oxaliplatin was one I thought was going to kill me after my 2nd treatment the last time I was put on it.  I have met others that got through Oxaliplatin just fine.  The disease is such a horrible monster and sadly our treatment options are also horrible.  We need more funding to research safer drugs.

[buckskinqh]

While you can get your insurance companies to approve the treatment it still has not been approved by the FDA for ovca and my guess is since the fda has pulled their approval for breast cancer, it may be unlikely approved for ovca.   I just finished cycle 4 of Avastin and am considering a change to another treatment option.  I have had dibilitating headaches from Avastin.   As well, I feel like my body and mind are racing....very anxious.  I have a blood pressure monitor to watch my blood pressure because Avastin is known to raise blood pressure.  My pressure is consistantly normal, yet I am experiencing horrific head pain

I was so excited to start Avastin which is supposed to be this "miracle" drug but after my bad experiences with it I started to do some more research.  Avastin can have some deadly side effects.  
Bowel perferation which will require surgery.  Surgery on this drug poses additional problems in that there is increase risk of bleeding/infection

Inflamation and swelling of the brain, neurological complications

1/3 higher risk of blood clots.

I feel with any treatment we should thoroughly research all the possible side effects.  There is no magic bullet.  I have endured the toxic effect of several chemos but I have never experienced anything that has made me feel more uneasy or more fearful than Avastin.  THis is just my experience, my opinion.  Perhaps Im one of the few that will have these side effects.  I am so sad because I was so hopeful.

[marie3B]

Thank you.  I have treatment Monday, too.  We will beat this together.  Marie

[jr1971]

Just got an email from the Doctors - they have approved the use of Avastin! These small victories are what keep you going.

First treatment on Monday.

Many thanks for your messages - It's great to hear that people are thinking of you - I always look out for your posts Marie for the same reasons. We are rooting for you every day.

Jon

[marie3B]

I also have a tumor in the small intestine.  It only showed up in this 2nd recurrence, so that couldn't be the primary site.  I think it is awful how we have to work so hard to get the chemo drugs we need to fight our cancers.  I had to go all the way to Chicago and have my slides reviewed at their tumor board.  I wish you both the best of luck.  With your wife's cancer being so much like mine I think of you two alot.  Marie

[Sharon2714]

good luck jon i am rooting for u and the mrs.

[jr1971]

Thanks Marie - this is what we have done - there definately enough doubt to be able to call it Colon/GI. The main issue is that as my wife's recurrence showed up as a tumor in her Small Intestine, strangely this has actually set us back a little. If they decide to conclude that the primary cancer is in the small intestine (Jejunum), then this might actually not be covered as there is no data for jejunal cancer and Avastin either...  Hopefully the letter that they faxed to them today will do the trick as it pushed the idea that the tumor is GI/Colon and not focussing too much on the small intestine.

We should find out tomorrow what the Insurance company says. One way or the other she will get the drugs, even if we need to sell the house.

Jon

[marie3B]

With the kind of ovca your wife has (like mine) maybe her docs could look closely at the histology and re-diagnose hers as possible GI/colon as primary site.  Mine did through University of Chicago and Avastin was available to me.  I know that mine is probably ovca, but the diagnosis of colon cancer opens up more chemo options.  Good luck.  Marie

[jr1971]

I am currently in a battle in the UK with my insurance company over Avastin. They are continually asking my Wife's doctors for more information and not coming up with an answer as to whether they will cover it or not. She is supposed to be starting treatment on Monday.

There is no approval for using Avastin for OVCA in Europe at the moment but clinical trials are under way (being led by my Wife's Gyn/Onc). Recent US trials seemed to suggest that Avastin is the bext step forward in the treatment of advanced OVCA in 20 years. (since Taxol).

[Sharon2714]

i am praying happy positives for u marie and i am amazed at ur stamina ... always remember u are well thought of
love
sharon

[marie3B]

I thought it had been approved for ovca. I read an article at my cancer center last week and the way it was written I assumed it had been approved.  I have been on Avastin a long time and have had zero side effects from it.  B/P stable, no bleeding, nothing.  For me it is like water.  I also feel it helped with several of my tumors, though on the lymph node tumor it didn't help.  This time I don't know how it is working.  I will be scanned after 4 more treatments.  I feel like it has helped.  I wish that doctors could use whatever they think will help without fighting insurance companies or bankrupting patients.  Marie