Failed Gemzar... not sure what to do next.

[Mark4124]

My mother has fallopian MMMT. She started Gemzar in early Feb as a result of multiple mets in the lungs, liver, etc... She tolerated the chemo well and seemed to be feeling better up till this week. She now has a bit of chest heaviness. She got a CAT the other day and her tumors all grew (5.3 v. 3.5 liver met for example), tumors proliferated particularly in the lungs, and over all it seemed like it wasn't successful. She does not tolerate taxol well with severe neuropathy. I have thought of doxil as it has a fairly good side effect profile. But we are wondering with the tenacity of MMMT if anything other than prehaps VIP chemo (or other similar super chemos) would have any effect. Of course ther would be a tough side effect trade-off. Any thoughts?

[freshair]

It's sad about your mother not responding to Gemzar. I don't know much about her particular cancer. Someone should be along that knows more. I do know that pretty much we are all in the same boat. I start Gemzar tomorrow and am worried whether it is going to work with me or not. That IVP to the abdominal area is heavy duty chemo that a lot of women cannot tolerate. Some do well and others go downhill fast. Doxil may be one to try. But again, it works for some with great results and doesn't work for others.

Carbo/Taxol is really the super drug. There's a new one that is called Avastin. It is so costly and health insurance may deny it. Also there is what is called radio frequency ablation which they use in special cases on the liver, lung, and kidney. I know UMass does that. I think it depends on the area and size in the liver and lung.

Best of luck with your Mom.

[Helmar]

Hi Mark.. I'm very sorry to hear that your Mum is having such a tough time with this. Gemzar didn't work for me either, and I ended up with a CA.125 of 7500 after trying different chemos that had little or no affect. Gemzar did a number on my blood and I needed transfusions for red cells and platelets.... BUT now I've been on Taxotere/Carbo, which isn't as harsh...I don't think... as Taxol/Cisp... and it's working a real treat for me. After 4 treatments my CA.125 is now down to 1030. Still high, but much better than it was. I have a little neuropathy in the feet, but nothing in the hands... so it's quite good for me. I have one lymph node involvement which I was concerned about, but my Oncol. insists that if the chemo works, it will work anywhere that the cancer is, so if your Mum can find one that will work for her, then her cancer should be greatly reduced.
As Helen said...Radio Frequency Ablation could help with the tumours on your Mum's liver/kidneys. Well worth asking her Oncol. about, I think.
Please pass on my warm regards to your Mum, and I admire you for standing by her throughout this terrible time.
Best wishes.... Helmar..