been on 4 chemos since dx of recurrent ovca

[believenhim]

Hi,
My mother in law was first dx with OVCA in July of '05.  They did surgery and put her on taxol/carbo.  She was on it for 6 months, then went into remission for 13 months.  
Since she was re-dx, she has been on :
Topetecan for 3 months (didn't work)
Doxil for 4 months (didn't work)
Carbo for 3 months (worked, but she had an allergic reaction)
Taxol for 5 months (worked, but now ca-125 has tripled and ct scan shows progression)

We don't know what the Dr will suggest next.

What options are left for her?  Also, when do the Drs quit treating due to toxicity, etc?  Any help would be so greatly appreciated!!!  

Thanks!!!

[believenhim]

Wow, thanks for all of your help!!!  Her being, or not being, estrogen receptive has never been discussed...  I will ask her onc about that on Tuesday.  

One asked what kind of cancer she has...she was dx with Stage 3 c back in July of '05 but when it came back it had spread to on top of her liver, so they are considering it Stage 4.

It is good to know there are still a lot of options left!!!  She trusts completely in her onc and won't consider going anywhere else. ::SIGH::  

Thanks so much again!  Best of luck to each of you & I'll keep you all posted!

[Jan214]

These ladies have mentioned so many drugs and there are still others.  If that onc doesn't know what to do next, perhaps it is time for a new eye, a second opinion.  I know a lot of the women on here go to places like John Hopkins or MD Anderson for evaluations and they get a recommended program and their oncs at home administer it. Good luck to you and your family.

[Texas Grannie]

What kind of cancer does she have? Msjazz is correct. If she has low grade (borderline) estrogen receptive, the drugs mentioned above will keep her cancer in check. They run out about every two years, but you can take one of the others. There is an article on www.Cancerwise.org  telling about a study done at MDAnderson. It is the May 2008 news from MDAnderson. I have been kept alive and well for 14 years by this method. TG

[msjazz]

Do they know if her cancer was estrogen receptive? If so they could give femara, arimidex, or tamoxifen, and maybe give her a little break. Donna

[believenhim]

Also, she was on Camptosar (sp?) for a couple of months and it didn't work either.

[believenhim]

Hi, thanks so much for responding!

The Dr has said she can't be on Avastin..not sure why.  He has also said she is not a candidate for any trials (currently).  

I have heard of the first 2 chemos you listed, but not the third, I will have to look that one up.  

I'll keep you posted, we are supposed to see the Dr on Tuesday.  Thanks again!!!

Hugs,
Cindy

[jlock]

Hello,
  Sorry to hear about your MIL.She has been alot so far but there are still alot more to go.  Gemzar,Cisplatin,Abraxene,just off the top of my head and theres also Avastin which isn't a chemo,so there are no severe side effects.There are also trials.  As far as toxcity is concerned that is a question for the Dr.  I have never even thought about asking my Onc that one as I do respond really well to chemo....but still I wonder.  Good luck..I'll keep your MIL in prayer. (((hugz)))~~~Joanne