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how to know if platnium resistant
How do you know if resistant to the first go of chemo? If daughters Ca125 ran at 5 for 4 months and then went to 16, is it good to get something started ASAP? I feel like I am starting all over again now. Doctor at Mayo told her last July when she had first debalking that another surgery would probably be necessary. Is this the reason he said that? After he told her he was sure he "got it all" Do most of the gals with recurrances work while taking the next batch of drugs, is it easier on the body, have to read all the past weeks posts to bring myself up to date. She didn't tell me before I left because she didn't want to spoil my vacation.
Hi Star... I recurred at about 6.5 months and had one Dr tell me he didn't think I was platinum resistant, because it was after the standard 6 months. Well, two treatments of taxol/carbo later (with no results) and a second opinion yeilded a different approach. My new Dr thinks I am indeed, platinum resistant, and I am starting a trial in March. I only went the trial route because I have a very rare type of ov/ca that tends to be resistant to all chemo and is also only grade 1, even though it is extremely aggressive. I know my first Dr shot down surgery immidiately because, as he put it, "I stripped everything I could the first time - there's nothing left to take" - he was concerned about leaving me with a colostomy or worse. My new Dr though, realizes that my type of cancer is best managed by surgery and said, after the trial is done, that he would appeal to the surgeons to do more. Many Dr's will not start more chemo based soley on the CA125 - they will wait until they see activity on a CT scan. Your Daughter's number is still within normal range - I would suspect they would re-do the CA125 to see if it has risen more and if it has, then decide whether or not more chemo would be beneficial at this point. I think Topetocan is one of the drugs they would use. I know things are so different between the U.S. and Canada - this is just how it went for me up here. Good luck,
Becky
Becky
I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. My mom is also 'platinum resistant' during her first course of chemo. Anyways there is much research and development on this mainly because this is the biggest stumbling block with ovarian cancer. Platinum drugs are the best treatment for ovca, but the cells eventually become resistant. I know they have identified 'why' and 'how' this happens now (sorry forget the name of the researchers) and there is even development on a treatment for this.
Phenoxodil (hope I'm spelling that right) is in Phase III studies now (so it's not marketed yet, although it is in FDA fast track status). All pre-clinical and clinical research is showing good results. Basically it is an analog of a Soy Isoflavone called Genstein (hope I'm spelling that one right too!). What both Penoxodil and Genestein do (either way although the analog is supposed to be stronger and better aimed at ovca) is make the cancer cells chemosensitive again to platinum drugs. That's a big deal! I think they are going to have both an IV and tablet form. The studies are using tablets if I remember. The current P3 studies are doing a combination with Carboplatnim and Phenoxodil or Carboplatnim and a Placebo (although the carbo is weekly...which incidentley has been shown to be effective in platnium resistant women in a study from europe...I can google it if you need info).
On the Genestein/Soy thing again, there is a study of a women who used a fermented soy beverage (fermented soy has higher genestein content) to have 'stable disease' for 9 months (she was 3C platnium resistant with progressing disease) and then went back on carbo and had an 'excellent clinical response'. Thus there really is hope even with platinum resistant cells...the problem is if you wait for conventional medicine, you have to waith for phenoxodil in combination with other chemo drugs. If you don't want to wait...look into Fermented Soy Isoflavones like Genestein or fermented soy beverages to help chemosensitize the cancer again. No guarantees but there is research out there that shows this is true.
Going further, there are other things like DIM (I3C), etc. that are showing great results also...but until they make them into a drug (like they are doing with DIM/I3C), you will never hear your oncologist talking about it.
Good luck and keep fighting!
Phenoxodil (hope I'm spelling that right) is in Phase III studies now (so it's not marketed yet, although it is in FDA fast track status). All pre-clinical and clinical research is showing good results. Basically it is an analog of a Soy Isoflavone called Genstein (hope I'm spelling that one right too!). What both Penoxodil and Genestein do (either way although the analog is supposed to be stronger and better aimed at ovca) is make the cancer cells chemosensitive again to platinum drugs. That's a big deal! I think they are going to have both an IV and tablet form. The studies are using tablets if I remember. The current P3 studies are doing a combination with Carboplatnim and Phenoxodil or Carboplatnim and a Placebo (although the carbo is weekly...which incidentley has been shown to be effective in platnium resistant women in a study from europe...I can google it if you need info).
On the Genestein/Soy thing again, there is a study of a women who used a fermented soy beverage (fermented soy has higher genestein content) to have 'stable disease' for 9 months (she was 3C platnium resistant with progressing disease) and then went back on carbo and had an 'excellent clinical response'. Thus there really is hope even with platinum resistant cells...the problem is if you wait for conventional medicine, you have to waith for phenoxodil in combination with other chemo drugs. If you don't want to wait...look into Fermented Soy Isoflavones like Genestein or fermented soy beverages to help chemosensitize the cancer again. No guarantees but there is research out there that shows this is true.
Going further, there are other things like DIM (I3C), etc. that are showing great results also...but until they make them into a drug (like they are doing with DIM/I3C), you will never hear your oncologist talking about it.
Good luck and keep fighting!
It breaks my heart to see you write that you want to trade places with your daughter. As a mother, I know exactly how you feel- I thank God all the time it is me who has cancer and not my kids. I will keep Leslee in my prayers, my dear. The CA125 fluctuations seem minor so hopefully it means nothing. I am about her age & had chemo about the same time as she did and now have a 3 cm "nodule" on my CT scan, 2 negative biopsies a month ago and three CA125 tests all <7 (and my urine ph is >8 which is pretty alkaline). I had another biopsy last week and will get results on Tuesday. My CA125 has always been a very good marker for me, so I have no idea what is going on. My onc thinks it is cancer- I, on the other hand, believe in divine intervention and the power of faith and God's promise to heal! I'll keep you posted! Rachael
Thanks all of you!!!!! you ladies have been a rock for me, she was stage 3 they have not done a cts yet, may on thur, I know that prayers help and they are appriciated. I only wish there was a way I could change places with her.
Hi Star~
We're glad to have you back, and I pray that the days ahead are brighter for you. I don't know the answer to your question, but my doctors told me that the longer one can go without a recurrence after having initially finished carbo/taxol, the better; thus indicating that the tumors were platinum sensitive and the drugs did the trick and should work again down the road, if needed. That being said, re: a fairly quick recurrence, it might indicate that they would use something other than taxol/carbo. Other ladies out here will be by to share their info from personal experience. I'm sorry, but I forgot what your daughter's original Stage/Grade was. My tumors were sent out for further testing after 2nd surgery to see if cells matched with first occurance, etc. Because they did, and b'cause of long remission, they went with carbo/taxol again. Path reports from your daughter's surgery should have all of this info, if 2nd surgery is needed. Each case is individual, and each will benefit from procedures outlined for that person. It's so important to remember that. My CA 125 is very "sensitive"; so when it went up just by a small margin, I knew something was wrong. That has been the only indicator for me. But that does not have to mean cancer has returned in all cases of elevated CA 125's. I have read so many times that it has fluctuated because of infections, etc. Is there evidence of tumor(s)- new or remnant- on your dauther's CT scan? I hope they are not saying she has recurred merely b'cause of elevated CA 125. As far as working goes, that too, is a personal call. I did not work during either chemo treatment, I was way too tired, and I work in a school (laden with germs); but am working 12 hours a week now while on a maint. program. So far, so good.... I need to do this for my "mental health". Sometimes my body just tells me I'm too tired to do anything except lay on the couch for a couple days post treatment, but after that, I get "antsy" and have to have something to keep my mind off of "me". If your daughter is up to it and feels strong enough, this might help her. But for now, just try to get through digesting the new information and path to recovery that her medical team is setting out for her. Also, I understand that a second surgery isn't always offered to patients, so try to keep this as a "positive" in the back of your head. I so wish you and your daughter did not have to go through this all over again. I will pray for good results when you meet with the doctors. Please keep us posted. Many prayers to you and your family ~ Judie
We're glad to have you back, and I pray that the days ahead are brighter for you. I don't know the answer to your question, but my doctors told me that the longer one can go without a recurrence after having initially finished carbo/taxol, the better; thus indicating that the tumors were platinum sensitive and the drugs did the trick and should work again down the road, if needed. That being said, re: a fairly quick recurrence, it might indicate that they would use something other than taxol/carbo. Other ladies out here will be by to share their info from personal experience. I'm sorry, but I forgot what your daughter's original Stage/Grade was. My tumors were sent out for further testing after 2nd surgery to see if cells matched with first occurance, etc. Because they did, and b'cause of long remission, they went with carbo/taxol again. Path reports from your daughter's surgery should have all of this info, if 2nd surgery is needed. Each case is individual, and each will benefit from procedures outlined for that person. It's so important to remember that. My CA 125 is very "sensitive"; so when it went up just by a small margin, I knew something was wrong. That has been the only indicator for me. But that does not have to mean cancer has returned in all cases of elevated CA 125's. I have read so many times that it has fluctuated because of infections, etc. Is there evidence of tumor(s)- new or remnant- on your dauther's CT scan? I hope they are not saying she has recurred merely b'cause of elevated CA 125. As far as working goes, that too, is a personal call. I did not work during either chemo treatment, I was way too tired, and I work in a school (laden with germs); but am working 12 hours a week now while on a maint. program. So far, so good.... I need to do this for my "mental health". Sometimes my body just tells me I'm too tired to do anything except lay on the couch for a couple days post treatment, but after that, I get "antsy" and have to have something to keep my mind off of "me". If your daughter is up to it and feels strong enough, this might help her. But for now, just try to get through digesting the new information and path to recovery that her medical team is setting out for her. Also, I understand that a second surgery isn't always offered to patients, so try to keep this as a "positive" in the back of your head. I so wish you and your daughter did not have to go through this all over again. I will pray for good results when you meet with the doctors. Please keep us posted. Many prayers to you and your family ~ Judie
It's controversial. And the same old thing "what may be good for one may not be good for another." Some oncologists wait to see if there is activity in a cat scan. Others will treat with chemo after the counts go above 35. Is she due for a cat scan? The longer between chemos of course the better to let your body get that break. The two main second line chemos are doxil and topotecan. It's not usually recommended Taxol/Carbo unless you've been away from it for a year. I'm doing low dose Taxol. A lot of women are on the maintenance Taxol to keep it under control. It's so difficult to make these decisions but I know that you want to be well informed ahead of time just in case her counts go up again.
I think she may be resistant if her counts go up next month. I'll be praying they level off.
Helen
I think she may be resistant if her counts go up next month. I'll be praying they level off.
Helen
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