Carbo and Taxol again.

I was stage 3c, my ca125 for the last six months was down to 3.6 it has shot up to 204.   My pet scan showed two nodules and some scattered cancer on the outside of the colon area recently.   No invasion of the organs.
My surgery was in Dec 2005, chemo 6 rounds, finished in April 06.   Dr. started me on Carbo and Taxol again Friday Dec 8th.  At first he was thinking of going with Doxil, but said No.  I had alot of pain before chemo, more than half way thru frist Taxol chemo Friday, pain started to go away.   I hope this is a good sign?  However, I am suffering from terrible constipation and trying everything available.  Fleet liquid, ducolax, physilum and husk seed, and now Dr. suggested Milk of Magnesia.  It is Monday the 11th, and no joy!

Do you know what the success rates are when someone goes on Carbo and Taxol second time around?
Thank you in advance for your attention and concern.

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
I agree with your doctor's choice of carbo and taxol again. It has been more than 6 months since you finished your last course of chemotherapy. We define "Platinum resistant ovarian cancer" as cancer that returns within 6 months of treatment with a platinum agent.

However, it is possible that the cancer that has returned is not very sensitive to platinum because it returned within a year. Carboplatin and taxol are quick acting so you will know within one to two cycles if this is the right drug regimen for you. Your Ca 125 should quickly drop. If not, that is a reason to change to doxil, or gemzar, or topotecan, or consider a clinical trial.

Where is your pain?

The constipation can be due to the antinausea medicines that are given with chemo. It is also possible that the cancer is coating some areas of your intestine and making the intestine less flexible. In that situation, the intestine cannot as effectively push the bowel contents through it.

Here are some other interventions to consider for your constipation (not necessarily all of them, you can pick and choose with your doctor's approval):
-drink alot of fluid (6-8 glasses)
-a tablespoon of mineral oil a day
-exercise: try to walk for 30 minutes a day
-prescription drugs such as Miralax or Lactulose
-acupuncture has been shown to help

I know this must be very distressing to find that you need chemo again. It absolutely can work and reduce the cancer . However, this cancer will most likely return again and require chemotherapy again in the future.

take care and best wishes