Frequency of Gemzar Plus Carboplatin treatment

Having been cancer free for 12 months after completion of complete cycle of carboplatin & Pacil therapy for fallopian tube Stage II after complete hysterectomy...   ca125 jumped from 37 to 52 to 257 to 721 in 3 months.  Recommendation is to restart chemo with Gemzar plus Carboplatin...  How often is treatment recommended with what intervals given maximum tolerance to therapy??

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,
thank you for your question.have  you had a scan showing a sign of cancer growth?
how are you feeling?any symptoms?

CA 125 can be a very helpful guide to diagnosing a cancer recurrence. While the most likely explanation is that the cancer has returned, the blood test, CA 125, can be elevated in inflammation, heart disease, liver disease. I imagine your doctor has evaluated this.

carboplatin and gemzar are recommended for recurrence. If a cancer recurs more than 6 months after completion of therapy, it is labeled platinum sensitive and a platinum is given again.

The number of treatments will be based on what happens with your CA 125 value. There is no one set way but many doctors will treat to 2 cycles past a normal CA 125 level.That may be 4 or 6 or 8 cycles.

One of the biggest breakthroughs in cancer care for gyn cancers is the understanding that people can tolerate lots of chemo.  So it is possible to receive course of chemo every year if that is needed to control the cancer.
please keep us posted on how you are doing.
best wishes