Weekly Taxol

[Hazel30]

Hello Dr. Goodman

My Mom is obviously platinum resistant and her doctor recommended to try weekly taxol.  She last received platinum drug two years ago of taxotere.  Or our other option is Alimta.  She has recurrent ascites that is not responding to any drugs.  Our other option is waiting 3 more weeks for our consultation at memorial sloan in NYC possibly enroll into a clinical trial.
Thank You
Fiana

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Ami
No it does not sound like a classic taxol side effect.
Some women do get severe muscle and joint pain from taxol.
Another thought is a side effect to the anitnausea meds. Some women get a dystonic reaction to benadryl or compazine where they have restless legs and locking jaw

finally it may be something unrelated such as fluid in your lungs or an infection or a pulmonary embolus
I think you should get check out by your oncologist
best wishes

[ami64]

I just started weekly taxol for 2nd recurrence ovarian cancer. My whole chest and abdomen feel like tight and heavy like lead. I'm so uncomfortable. This doesn't seem to fit the side effects of taxol ...Does it? Is it the premeds...benedryl and decadron? Is there anything I can do?

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Fiana
in general, all drugs have about a 20 percent response rate for women experiencing recurrence.
take care. I know how hard this is.

[Hazel30]

Dr. Goodman, thank you again for your advise and please know that over the years I always appreciate your opinions.
We've discussed the IP chemo with the doctor and he did not recommend it.  Not sure why maybe due to the infection it may cause.
Currently the ascites is managed with taxol.  She only cpmpleted 2 treatments of taxol the past 2 weeks and we definitely see improvement in the ascites discomfort.  
We are really relying on entering a clinical trial at memorial sloan, but thats not guaranteed so I want to discuss next plan with her doctors now.
Also what are the statistics of these new drugs that are being promoted for ovarian cancer.
Fiana

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi Fiana
cisplatin and  alimta are reasonable drugs
there is a new drug that is being promoted for ovarian cancer, yondelis or trabectin.

finally if ascites is a big problem, direct chemo into the peritoneal cavity to control ascites can be given.Usually cisplatin is used for this
best wishes

[Hazel30]

Thank you for answering my question.  If say my Mom is not eligible for any trials at M. Sloan and weekly taxol does not put cancer at bay, what would be the next treatment option in your opinion?
She has had topo, gemzar, doxil, avastin.  Only other drugs she has not had is ciscplatin and the new drug alimta.  
I always want to know and have the next course of action before hand as I see that our options are limited.

Thank you again
Fiana

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Dear Fiana
Thank you for your update
if your mother can wait, getting a consultation at Memorial to see if she is eligible for a clinical trial makes sense.

If she has symptomatic ascites and needs an intervention, then weekly taxol is a great choice.
She can still be eligible for a clinical trial.
please keep us posted
take care