Response to Doxil upon recurrence with ^CA125

[momofsandj]

I am BRCA1 single mutation -- hysterectomy in 2003 with ca125 at 1483.  6 rounds of carbo/taxol w/first 2 rounds also w/doxil under clinical trial (kicked off because no hematologic recovery) --CA125 down to 5.8 -- 15 months remission 6 months of tamoxifen then needed chemo again (CA125 up to 291) in Jan 2007 -- 6 cycles carbo/taxol CA125 ended at 7.  5 months later counts rising again and tumors on CT scan -- Started Doxil Feb 3 of 2008 and just finished 6 cycles -- tumors have shrunk significantly by CA125 up to 256 which is where I started in Feb (had gone down to 161 and then started climbing again) -- docs say I need a break and have started me on Arimidex two days ago to control the CA125 -- should i be continuing the Doxil to make the tumors continue to shrink, or stay on Arimidex until the tumors are growing again?  Had serious skin toxicity from Doxil resulting in decrease to 55mg dosage every four weeks -- Have had second thoughts about discontinuing the Doxil and am scared that this will get out of control --- my MUGA scan showed ejection fraction of 70% so my heart is not currently an issue.....I aksed about Avastin in combo with cytoxin or abraxane and they said it would be using up my aresenal before I need to
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Thank you

[bohan54]

Do you trust your medical team?  
I can only offer my sincere condolences for all you have been through.  

[momofsandj]

I trust my gyn/onc but in NJ he's not the one who does the chemo -- my med/onc seems pretty good but I know he is not as current on things as I would hope -- so he contacts an expert at Fox Chase who is on all the NIH Developmental Products committee (ie new protocols ) -- I saw this guy last year ---

The bottom line is that with all the research I have done, I'm not sure I trust anyone other than my gyn/onc and myself -- I am just so afraid that this will get out of control while everyone is waiting to see what will happen next -- I know this is a fast growing cancer ---

Thanks for your support ---

[abrite]

This sounds like a really good question for Dr. Goodman on the Expert Forum. I really have been impressed with her answers and know that she is well respected in the gyn/onc community. I was on Doxil before and can sympathize with the skin issues. Best wishes and keep us posted!