The best strategy forward

I have an ovarian cancer (carcinoma, cerous), operated in November 2004, had 4 courses before and 3  after an operation of topotekan/oxaliplatin, in 7 month recurrence, treated by 11 courses carboplatin/taxol, 1 course of CAP, in 8 month recurrence - now undergo 7th course of doxil. CT shows reduction of the main tumor by about half, metastasis in liver (reduced a little), lungs, limfoid node in groin enlarged. What is the best way forward for me? Would be grateful for advise.

[msjazz]

I am not really qualified to answer this really. Has the doxil quit working? There are some chemos you have not had yet if so. I have had gemzar for 7 months, and if you click on health pages on the top right of page, who is on chemo, some ladies have what they are on. Do you know if your cancer is estrogen receptive? ( Feeds on estrogen?) If it is, some docs add tamoxifen, arimidex, or femars. What does the dr. say?  Best wishes.

[crecco]

It is really hard to say. What has your Dr said/suggested? As msjazz said there are many different kinds of chemos out there. I have been on most that you have named, carbo/taxol, doxil, gemzar, topotecan, and now avastin/abraxane. I was dx with mets to the liver and all of these drugs have helped at least a little bit. They just don't work long enough, and when one stops working, it is time to move on to something else.
I think that the best thing for you to do is to ask your Dr what he thinks would be a good course of action for you. I have found that most normally, a Dr would rather change your chemo than do surgery because surgery takes so much out of you, this way you will have your strength for the chemo.
Please let us know what you find out.
   Chris

[tato4ka]

Thank you very much, and to msjazz too. The doctor thinks about changing to gemzar, but I'm afraid of not being able to continue working as I am aware of all the side effects it gives to others. And in my case it will be quite difficult to go on ....
I did not know that the ovarian carcinoma can be estrogen receptive. How can it be recognized.
I shall post news when I speak with the doctor. Thank you all again

[tato4ka]

Hi! I'm back! How are you doing?

I'm not doing well after 10 courses of Doxil. It just stopped working. Now I have CA 125 - 369, and liquid in pleura, and mts in some places. Now it is time to get to Gemzar inevitably. They prescribed it together with Carboplatin. Starting next week. You've written before about estrogen receptiveness. How it is measured/found? I'm not sure about this test in Russia. And is combination avastin/abraxane really used for ovarian carcinoma? Lots of questions, very few possibilities.....

[nyc lady]

Sorry to hear that you are not doing well.  I am not certain that Donna (MsJazz) will be along to answer your post.  Unfortunately, she has also experienced alot of set backs and is currently at home under hospice care.   You might try a "note" or "private message"...there is a strong possibility that she will not answer the post.

I am hearing alot of women receiving combo of of Gemzar and Doxil along with Carbo.  I guess they feel if the tumor is not platinum resistant, then the Carbo is helpful.  There are also women that have had success with avastin in cominbation with other drugs.  The Avastin is known to keep the disease stable, but the side effects can be difficult for some.

There are some tests that test the tumor for estrogen receptiveness and many women are having luck with chemos such as Arimidex, Femera, etc...breast cancer chemos.

There are a lot of options out there and it is great that your doctor is persuing them.

Best of luck and let us know how  things go.
Pam