Mom has Stage IIIc Ovarian cancer

My mom has a opportunity to be part of the a Avastin phase 3 clinical trial.  Should she do it?  I'm afraid of the side effects and the additional year of chemo.  She had her debulking surgery and ready to start Chemo.  Has anyone have experience with this drug?

[abrite]

My initial treatment was a year long trial with taxol, carboplatin and avastin. All of the chemo drugs have side-effects and I really did not have any from the avastin. It does effect blood pressure in some, but that can usually be controlled with medication. There have been good results with Avastin and there are others on this forum who have also been on it who may reply to your post.

I am sorry that your Mom is on this journey. It must be very difficult for you as well. You will find great encouragement on this forum from women with ovarian cancer as well as from daughters and famly members who are supporting them.  Please let us know what your mom decides to do.
Best wishes to both of you.

[sam104]

Thanks for the info.  My mom was so strong physically and mentally before the bad news.  The surgery and the overwhelming emotions exhausted her.  She has hard time dealing with going through 6 cycle of standard chemo and another 12 cycle of clinical trial.  Base on the trial info, there's no garantee that she'll be chosen to get Avastin, she could just be getting phosibo.  My mom does't want to do it, but I see as a benefit.

[bohan54]

I am participating in this trial now.  Finished standard 6 treatments in November.  Not sure if I`m getting Avastin but there are virtually no side effects from it.
I find it beneficial to be involved in the study because I have a very good RN who accompanies me to every doctor visit and chemo treatment.  I also get more attention from my oncologist.  I would encourage your mom to try it.

[sam104]

Does anyone know how effective is Avastin against ovaranian cancer?  My mom depends on me to make this kind of decision and I'm afraid I'll make a wrong decision that would cost my mom's life.  
Mom can't eat much as she get full really fast. She still can have bowel movement with help from laxistive.  Does this get better with chemo?

[bohan54]

Unfortunately, chemo often makes constipation worse.  Stool softeners and gentle laxatives help with this.  
My understanding of Avastin is that it is a biological agent that stops new cancer cells from growing.  It is not really "chemotherapy" in that it does not kill cells.  
S

[sam104]

My mom decide not to participate in the clinical trial.  She started her Taxol treatment today and within 5min of introduction, she had dangerous allegic reaction and had to stop.  The doctor is going to move on to Carbo tomorrow.  Should I be concern that Taxol won't be part of her chemo?  Is Carbo good enough as a treatment?  I'm concern that she won't be able to recieve chemo and let this disease grow.

[jamiann5]

I haven't been on the forum in awhile, but your mom's story and my mom's sound familiar.  My mom was diagnosed with IIIC in april of 07 and was found to be plantium resistant after 2 rounds of plantium drugs.  She has had 6 rounds of avastin now with wonderful results.  she had some issues with blood pressure, but now that is well controlled and her only side effect is slight fatigue.  She is also taking oral cytoxan and methotrexate along with the avastin.
Mom did try carbo and since she is plantium resistant, it did not work for her.  I do know that it has helped many, many women and I hope that your mom will be one of them.  There are many drugs out there to try, you just have to find the one that works for her.  
I wish you and your mom the best of luck.  I will be praying you and her!

jamie