carboplatinum taxotere treatment

[chigey]

I have stage 3 epithelial clear cell ovarian cancer it was the size of a pineapple.  My teatment statred in March 6 treatments of carboplatinum and taxotere every three weeks.  My ca125 started at 77 day before surgery 2/14/06 then 231 a week before my firts chemo during chemo it dropped to 29, 27 then 11 and stayed there thru the rest of this combo treatment. 7/21/06 my 1st taxotere treatment  every 4 weeks my ca125 went up to 35.9 over the new 21 limit it was down week 1 & 2 after chemo and up 3 & 4 week I had a ct of abdom,pelvic,& brain no tumors. my ca125 has continued this pattern for over 3 weeks.  My onco suggested that the combo treat. was working and the taxotere treatment seems not to be working as well.  We both agreed to go back to combo treatment.  My appt w/ my surg.today blew me away he does not agree w/ combo treat. said that he is concerned w/ the toxic damage to my bone marrow for future treats.  He call will my onco. and discuss another treat. and that is fine.What bothers me and I am disapointed that he told me that This chemo is treating just numbers (referring to my ca125 results)because he doesn't think I have symptons. The problem is if I had symptons then I my micro cancer cells would be more advanced then I care to even think about. I have a ca125 test this Wed. the 1st one after my ist combo treatment I can't wait to see the results and chemo Friday.  Has anybody had this issue w/ toxic damage to their bone marrow from this combo treat. I don't think I am willing to go back to the taxotere treat.not convinced it will work. Boy my mind is spinning

[Helmar]

Hello there.. I was dx with ovca Stage 3-4 in Feb04. After the debalking op. I had 6 treatments of Taxotere/Carbo combo... and it worked well. My Ca.125 dropped to 12. I had a remission of about 9 months and then a recurrence. I've pretty much been on chemo since...Gemzar/Carbo, Carbo alone, Doxil, and am now on Topotecan. The Taxotere/Carbo was the best for me. I've not had a CA.125 lower than 50 since. My CA.125 is currently about 1600, but I continue to feel well, no pain, and my appetite and active lifestyle is as normal. My Oncol. says that a lot of us tend to place too much importance on the numbers, so maybe he is right. My CA.125 has never been under 12....no single digits here, but I think your Oncol. should stick to the combo of Taxotere/Carbo, as it worked for me, and as I've said... I've had all sorts of chemo since, and I'm still going good. My blood tests come up fine, and the only time I needed a transfusion was with the Gemzar/Carbo... that was terrible, and didn't work for me either. All pain and no gain.
Please stay in touch, and let me know how you go... but unless there is some underlying reason why your Oncol doesn't want to stay with the combo of Taxotere/Carbo, I would be tempted to stay on it.Best of luck...Helmar...

[chigey]

thanks Helmar for your info God bless you I do feel very fortunate to have met so many wonderful people through all this.  I would consider agreeing with my surgeon about my ca125 but I with my first treatments it stayed at 11 then went up when I changed to just taxotere and has gone up nad down for 3 months.  I did call my onco this morning to ask that they get in touch with each other before I see him Friday.  I do feel that I need to go with my gut feelings unless somebody can give me good enough reasons not to.  I asked my sur. what the kind of damage is caused by the toxins but he never explained to he just went on to different issues. What are the sypmtons of early ovarian cancer symptons show up when the cancer is advanced.  I will keep you updated there is so much out there to help us I will be sending you my good thoughts and vibes for your battle and healing.  I do find this is easier then somebody I love going thru this.  take care of yourself and I will be in touch

[Helmar]

Hello again...it's good to hear from you, and you sound as though you have a very positive attitude. That's the way to go... try and stay mentally strong, as I feel it helps a lot. The Doxil seems to work really well... and it did for me too, but my Oncol only let me have 4 treatments, as he thought it was very toxic, as I had 6 really large, sore mouth ulcers during the last treatment, so I guess if it does that to my mouth, my insides wouldn't be faring too well. *laugh*... Also too much of it can damage the heart, so it's best to have a scan on your heart to make sure all is well, before you start Doxil. That's what my Oncol. arranged for me. But for 3 months after stopping Doxil my CA. 125 was still coming down. Stays in the system longer it seems. I think you are wise to have both your Docs. talk to each other though, otherwise there could be mixed messages. I only have the one Oncol. and he determines what he thinks is the best for me. It's all 'trial and error' with the treatments, as what works for one, may not work for another. Bless you too... and I hope things work well for you. We ladies are in this together, so if I can be of support to anyone here, I am very happy to do so. All the best...Helmar...