Ovarian Cancer Support Group

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Ovari... - 243k


I found this excelent site with discussions about lots of different treatments for all sorts of ailments.. whilst researching the Avastin.. It looks very informative.. xxx

Halli my sister, Lynn, was part of an Avastin (Bevacizumab) Clinical Trial here in Canada. It was a year long process, which she finished this past September.

If you have any specific questions I can ask her for you.

Avastin is a monoclonal antibody, it targets growing blood vessels and does not allow cancer cells to get a good blood supply. I am on it right now (it's a part of my colon cancer chemo). People say it's a relly good stuff. I am having a CT scan later this week or next week, so I'll know if it's effective or not in my case.
Russian

I spelt everything wrong in the title.. I meant to say.. doxorubicin and caelyx xxx

According to one of the many ovarian cancer booklets I've picked up in the past several months, Avastin is not yet FDA approved for use in ovarian cancer in the United States (it is approved for colon cancer). So that's why those getting it are in trials of some sort. Gemzar was approved in 2006. I'll keep looking for more options - I also know there is something called Topotecan (sp?) that some are taking but I know nothing about it. xxxJanet

Caelyx is some sort of doxil and I have read, that in trials, it won in overall suvival rates, over topotecan. Gets very confusing, doesn't it? Ultimately, trying to research the options, reminds me how important it is to have great faith in our specialists.

I have been seeing a very young doctor, at the Marsden, during my last two visits.. He was fresh off the boat from Australia, when I first saw him, during all the snow we had.

The fact that he wanted me to wait three months for a check up after my CA125 had risen a bit and the fact that he is so new means that I am not entirely confident with him.. Had it been the chap I was seeing previously, I wouldn't be worrying about what to do next and would have left it all up to him.

I'm sure he will eventually prove himself to be excelent, as the Marsden are very particular about who they take on board.

Mean time.. thank you all loads for sharing your info and experiences.. I will be very well armed, to put him through his his paces, when I see him next Tuesday with the scan results.. xxx

Halli, I can't say I blame you for feeling a little bit uncomfortable with this new doctor. He should have told you to come back in a month or two at the very latest for a recheck if your numbers started going up.

The CT will be more conclusive, I suppose, but yes, research all the drugs so you can question his choice.

I'm so sorry the damn cancer is back. I don't understand why ovarian cancer can be so stubborn, and yet some women DO beat it and never get it back.

I just had my very last chemo treatment today. My CA 125 dropped, finally, after not moving for 2 chemos. It dropped to 31. This is considered under normal, but it still feels high in my opinion. I guess it is showing I am NOT resistant to the carbo/taxol, though.

My CT scan is in 4 weeks and then I meet the doctor again. From there I suppose I will hope to hear "you are in remission." And maybe some hair will start growing in 4 weeks?

I hope you don't have to go through taxol again, as that is the drug that makes your hair fall out.

Good luck, Halli, and be armed with information!

MaryAnn

HI Inka
I have been on Topotecan and it kept the cancer stable but didn't make it go away. I am how on Doxil and I am waiting on the CT and CA-125 results.
Take care
Love Kathy

Dear Inka
Avastin remains my "wonder drug" My CA 125 has remained stable the past 2 tests at 24, which is a big deal for me, as I`ve never been in double digits. Keep me posted!
xxLinda