Has anyone had good results being on Topotecan???

I 've read some posts about those who have been on Topotecan without such great results. I was wondering if anyone has experienced the opposite. I am currently on it. I just started. Thanks for any comments.

[Hazel30]

My Mom is currently on topo in the middle of her 4th treatment.  She does 3 weeks on and 1 week off.  So this is her 4th month.  The first 3 treatments the ca-125 was rising slowly.  They do the ca-125 test at the start of each treatment (so every 4 weeks).  After completing her 3rd treatment she was due for a CT scan which showed stable so they repeated the ca-125 and it dropped 60 points.  The doctor continues my Mom on topotecan and she is due for another ca-125 in 2 weeks.  We are hopping the numbers are continuing to drop.  If so she stays on topo for another 1.5 months until the next CT scan in hopes there will be a decrease in the disease.  So overall the first 3 months ca-125 was rising and then a good drop in ca-125 at 224  down to 164.  You may not see any results until your 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th treament.  The key is in how you feel.  Even though my Moms ca-125 was rising the first 3 treatments, she overall was feeling better thats why we were not really relying on the ca-125 at first even though it was always  good and still is marker for her.  I hope you do well on it.

[jlock]

I just finished 6 cycles of Topo on June 2nd so I won't be able to tell you how long a remission it might give.  My numbers fell by half after the 1st cycle. Then they sorta slowly went down after that.  I found it an easy chemo to be on.  I was able to make it through without any booster shots of neulasta or Procrit,which is a 1st for me!!!  The day of and the day after infusion I had headaches,but nothing too bad.  I had some nausea and fatique, some minimal hair thinning and of course constipation. I was on the same cycle as Hazel30..and maybe thar is why I did so well.  It used to be given 5 days in a row every 3 weeks...I read alot of ladies on that schedule had more severe side effects than me.  I hope it works well and gives a lasting remission for us all!~~~Joanne

[mariak]

Thank you both for your responses. I'll be praying for all of us too.

[SimplyStar]

Leslee was on topo for just 2 cycles, didn't work for her, but just remember everyone is different. If they had one size fits all for us , then things would be different.  Good Luck

[Jan214]

I am on Topo now.  Tomorrow will the last week of my 3rd tx.  I have the same schedule of 3 weeks on and a week off.  When I started on it my CA was 92.  After the first month it was 149 which shook me up quite a bit because I have never had a rise while on chemo before.  My CA at the end of the second month was 147.  2 whole points for all that tired.  At least it was coming down.  I will have my next one on the first and I really hope it comes down.  I have not had a remission yet but my onc is hopeful that this one will do it.  I have had extreme fatique with this chemo, but have not had the throwing up that I did with the Gemzar or carbo/taxol so that is a good thing.  Although this time I am using Aloxi for my pre med instead of Zofran.  That stuff works wonders.
Good luck to you.
Jan