Topotecan

Has anyone had good results from Topotecan?

[SimplyStar]

Leslee didn't, she was in a clinical trial with Topotecan and Tykerb, her CA125 elevated and the scans showed growth in the lesions.  But everyone is different with the chemo drugs, not to say it won't work for some one else.

[YvonneS]

Have had 5 weekly treatments.  Will get a CT after the next treatment to see.  Side effects haven't been very bad.  CA125 jumped from 92 to 185, but don't have a lot of faith in it.  I read in here all the time about it being in 1,000's.  Highest mine has ever been was 585.                                                

[newlifegal]

I had 8 treatments with no visible results.   It was suppose to control the ascites but I ended up being tapped every 3 weeks.  I'm afraid my cancer has continued to grow while I was on this drug so we're switching over to Carboplatin and Gemzar.  I will say that it was much less harsh on my sysytem than taxol and carbo but if it isn't effective, what's the use?

Does anyone remember the side effects of Carboplatin, I know I struggled with terrible nausea but that was in conbination with the taxol.

Christa

[YvonneS]

I had 1500 cc's of fluid off the left lung 3 weeks ago.  Ono said Topotecan was suppose to take care of it.  Having some pain, so think fluid may be filling on lung again.  I don't really think it is helping.  but had 8 or 9 gemzar & carbo in May-June with no results.  Didn't have too bad of side effects with it, but taxol was rough.  But, like you say, if it doesn't help, what't the use.  I feel like I amnot gaining very much.  I have had a good week, so that is worth a lot.

[horselady1]

I'm first going to be getting Topotecan next week. I had stage I ovarian cancer. I had 6 treatments with carbo/taxol. My numbers climbed. I had 4 treatments of doxil. My CA125 leveled. Now the plan is 6 sessions of Topotecan (once a week for three weeks with one week off).
I'm hoping since the other methods didn't work, this one might. You just never know which one is going to be the right one for you. Obviously everyone's different. I was told from someone that if it doesn't start to get your numbers down by the 3rd session, switch to something else.

[Chuck10010]

My wife had 16 treatments of Topotecan and they finally decided that they are not working.  She took one treatment of Taxol and got a horrible infection and ended up in the hospital and rehab for about a month.  I should mention that this is her 3rd recurrence of ovarian cancer stage 3.  She was originally diagnosed the end of 1999/the beginning of 2000.  She's had a long battle with this disease and is not doing too well now.  We were at the oncologist last week as she had another Taxol treatment two weeks ago.  She did not get an infection this time but has lost 8 lbs in two weeks.  She's due for another Taxol treatment this coming Thursday.  The only thing to do is wait and see how she does.  She's very weak and tired.  Have to help her sit up in bed most times now.  The oncologist is wondering if he should continue the treatments.  I guess this one will tell the story.

[sam in the UK]

I am so sorry your wife isn't doing too well at the moment. She is very lucky to have such a caring supportive husband. I hope she will have some good days soon. Please keep us posted. Sam x

[Chuck10010]

Thanks for your note Sam. Diane, my wife, will be going for her next Taxol treatment on Thursday.  She's still running a low grade temp and is very weak and tired.  It's about 6:00 p.m. here now and she's been in bed for the night for about an hour.  As this disease progresses, it's really terrible.  During her previous chemotherapay drugs, she has gained some strength between treatments.  He last treatment was almost 3 weeks ago and she's losing strength.  Yesterday I had to go out and buy a raised toilet seat with handles so she can have the dignity to get up by herself.  I can just see the next chemo on Thursday making her weaker.  We'll have to see what happens.  Again, thanks for the note.

[YvonneS]

I am so sorry.  I will be getting a CT scan on the 21st and I am thinking if this topotecan isn't working I may just opt to not take any more chemo.  OVCA is bad enough with out being so sick from the chemo.  My Mom was like that and I have already told the Ono that if I got sick I was not taking it.  The Topotecan has not bothered me too much.  But I remember what the Taxol did and have read so many things about the Doxal.  Whatever is left of my life on earth, I want the quality.  My GP told me to remember the choice about chemo was mind and that the Ono would keep on trying things-and that is what he did.   If she doesn't have the chemo, maybe she will regain a little strength.  It takes so long for it to get out of her body.    Good luck and God bless you both.  Yvonne

[Chuck10010]

Thanks for your note Yvonne and I hope that the Topotecan is working for you.  It's a very difficult decision to stop taking the chemo and a very personal decision for each individual.  Tonight, my wife is very confused and not even making sense when she talks.  She's also running a 99.5 temp, which she has been running each afternoon since her last bout in the hospital (they never did find a cause for the temp which eventually went to 103).  The time before they were able to detect various infections.  The confusion has happened to her from time to time when taking the chemo.  I guess that everyone reacts differently to it.  Good luck to you with your scan and hope to hear that your chemo is working well.

[Helmar]

Hello.... I've just started on Topotecan, although I had it last December. It didn't work in getting the numbers down, but had the reverse affect... they went up rapidly. My Oncol. only left me on it for the one week (each day for 5 days)... as he said it would split the cells and make it look like it wasn't working for me, and then he put me on Taxotere/Carbo and the numbers just dropped down ever so quickly. I started at 7500 and was 290 after the 6 treatments. I've since been on Tamoxifen...which didn't work... and now Femara, which showed a little promise, but now back on the Topotecan and Femara... and if these don't work together, then it will be Taxotere/Carbo again. I don't have any side affects much with the Toptecan...mainly tiredness, but no nausea, and I still feel o.k..
It's good if it works, but like everthing to do with this disease, we all seem to be different.
I hope you have some success with it.. Hugs and best wishes...Helen...