Search Results for '5fu'
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Search Results
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In reply to: It’s been 26 months- now what?
HELLO ALL
MY CHARLIE IS ALMOST 2YRS POST WHIPPLE. SYMPTOMS BEGAN 3WKS PRIOR TO ERCP THAT SHOWED DISTAL DUCT TUMOR HIS RECOVERY FROM SURGERY WAS UNEVENTFUL WAS PLAYING GOLF 7MOS LATER WITH WEIGHT RETURNING PATH REPORT SHOWED CLEAR MARGINS WITH NO NODE INVOLVMENT OUR SURGEON SAID NO RADIATION OR CHEMO THAT A SURGICAL CURE WAS THE ONLY CURE TREATMENTS COULD CAUSE HIM TO BE SICKER THAN HE NEEDED TO BE WE WENT WITH THAT TRACKING THE CA19-9 WE STARTED TO HAVE INCREASE ONE YEAR POST OP WHEN CA19-9 WENT TO 2000 THE PET SCAN SHOWED A TUMOR IN THE SURGICAL BED CONNECTED TO THE PANCREAS WE HAVE SINCE HAD 33 RADIATION TREATMENTS AND 6WKS OF 5FU A PET SCAN LAST WEEK HAS SHOWN A DECREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE TUMOR EVEN WITH THAT WE STARTED A FOUR MONTH STINT WITH GEMZAR AND AT THAT POINT WE WILL DO ANOTHER PET SCAN AND GO FROM THERE I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS DISEASE IS NEVER CURED ONLY MANAGED GOD HAS GIVEN ME THE GRACE OF EVERY DAY IS A GIFT…TELL THE ONES YOU LOVE HOW YOU FEEL AND WHEN I GO TO THE DOCTORS OFFICE AND LOOK AROUND I SEE HOW BLESSED WE ARE JANIn reply to: Results following Chemo+Radiation
Sarah
It’s my understanding that many chemotherapy drugs are used as radiosensitizers or potentiators when given concurrently with radiation. Commonly used in the case of CC are Gemzar and Platinum based drugs such as Oxoplatinum. They, in essence, cause the tumor cells to be more sensitive to the radiation thus making the treatments much more effective. So, I’m sure that’s why this is being recommended. The chemo drug is usually given at a reduced dosage when given with the radiation, as opposed to when the chemo is given alone, and so is better tolerated. Many of the drugs commonly used in CC are considered to be radiosensitizers: Gemzar, Platinums, 5FU, and the oral form of 5FU, Xeloda.
I hope that makes sense. Don’t you wish though that everything was just clear and that there was just one best way to do things…one best treatment! Wishing all the best to you and John. Please keep in touch and let us know what he decides and how the treatment goes.
Jean
Topic: Chemo Drugs
My mom-in-law was diagnozed with CC about 6 months back. After a failed liver resection surgery atetmpt, she went through 6 weeks of chemo that included a combination of Xeloda and Gemzar.
In our search to look at a combination of chemo + some alternate treatments, we came across a technique called IPT – Insulin Potentiation Technique. It’s a way to give a very low dosage of chemo drugs, targeting the cancer cells but not harming the normal cells and immune system. Without getting into details of the IPT – there is a lot of info on the web, The doctor we are seeing has recommended 3 alternate drugs instead of Gemzar and Xeloda. They have done a specialized blood test and her sensitivity to various chemo agents, and are suggesting that a combination of the following drugs will be most effective for her:
1. Taxotere
2. Floxuridine
3. MitomycinRecent case studies here show Gemzar, Xeloda and 5FU as the most prevalent drugs that folks are taking. Has anyone tried the above 3 drugs as well? Any major side effects or concerns that we should be aware of?
Thanks for your posts. This site is a life saver.
In reply to: xeloda and folfox
Lainy and Marion – Thanks for your replies. We just had our onc. consult here at Duke and are going with 5Fu and oxal. Gary will get a 2 hr. drip then the 46 hr. pump – then be off for 2 weeks. I guess I was mistaken about the Xeloda in combination with this. Talk about information overload. Lainy, the answer as to why Gary has had chemo already and so much is because it was decided to take an agressive approach after surgery. He started getting radiation and Xeloda but had to stop after 2 weeks because of infections and hospitalization from his drain. Just recently his CA-19 went from 29 to 49, so chemo was restarted (Gemzar). Due to low platelet and/or white blood cell counts and then another emergency trip to Duke for drain malfunction, Gary was never able to complete a cycle (2 weeks in a row). So he ended up having 4 oddball treatments…and that brings us to this week with the CT results and CA-19 to 98. Gary’s pancreatic leak has been a constant source of problems – interferring with everything they try to do for him. Our surgeon (Dr. Doug Tyler) tells us Gary is his first patient whose pancreas hasn’t healed on its own. Our Luck!!! To everyone -Thanks for all your help all these months. Eventhough we haven’t been contributing to the forums, I have been faithfully reading and learning. It feels good to be a part of the family!!
In reply to: Cholangiocarcinoma without symptoms or pain.
thank u lainey CPs recurrence is being treated as pancreatic although it presented in his bile duct the area was described as th e surgical bed post whipple he reacted to 5fu with facial rash that involved his throat making him unable to eat for 12 days so his dr discontinued that for now we see the dr tomorrow we will have PET SOON AFTER THANKSGIVING JAN
Hi,
Please let me know if anyone has had experience with clinical trials involving hepatic arterial infusion. Current treatment plan is oxaliplatin via HAI + 5FU (with leucovorin) + Avastin.
Thank you!In reply to: Introducing myself- a new user
Judy…wonderful to hear how well you are tolerating the 5FU while the side effects are lessening each time. You are not complaing about the radiotherapy received…so I am assuming for you to not to have any side effects, either. You must be looking forward to your next overseas trip.
Hope it to be real soon. Thank you for your offer of distributing the brochures. They will be mailed to you, soon.In reply to: Introducing myself- a new user
Hi Marion,
I’ve had 5FU administered 3 different ways but all intravenously.
First time was bolus 1st week then 3 weeks off. Second time was 48 hour infusions 3 weeks in a row then 1 week off. This time is 5 weeks continuous infusion while having radiotherapy. The last 2 times are thru portacath of course. The side effects have lessened each time. Had diarrhoeae 1st time, very dry skin 2nd time. This time not much to note. I’ve also had gemcitabine. Didn’tlike that one at all- chills & rigors like the flu.
I could certainly put up some brochures in the radiation & oncology departments. They have heaps of cancer help advertising up.
Lisa,
You sound like you are in a similar situation to me. We could survive without me working but it helps fund the overseas trips. We also went to Rome when in Europe and enjoyed it very much. The holiday in France also sounds good. How are your side effects? I’ve taken very little time off work- mainly when having surgical procedures done but have worked through all else. Working takes your mind off feeling sick- unless it is very bad of course.In reply to: Introducing myself- a new user
Judy…..when speaking of 5FU administered differently are you refering to the Xeloday pill? So happy for the radiotherapy causing minimal problems. You already are a success.
I am surprised to hear about the other three CC patients at your hospital. I was wondering whether you would be able to distribute a few CC brochures to the oncology and radiology department with the hope for this patients to be made aware of us?
Thanks so much,
MarionIn reply to: Introducing myself- a new user
Hi back to you all. It was nice to log on and find welcoming replys.
Miraculously I am tolerating the radiotherapy very well. (not sure of the type-but daily for 5 weeks – half way through now) No skin problems, just a little nausea because the stomach is also getting bombarded. Chemotherapy is 5FU and I have had worse side effects from that in the past when it was administered differently. Of course I am getting very tired but I find the best way to cope with that is to live life normally and accept help from friends and family without guilt.
Having found this site I am surprised at the number of people with this disease considering it is supposed to be fairly uncommon. I work in a hospital lab in Melbourne Australia and there are 3 patients at present with cc who are very sick (as in septic or infected) so there must be more out there that are coping like the rest of us and getting by. Touch wood, there have been no infection issues yet as I know the risk is high because of the blockage problems.
I have to agree with you about the Doctors Kristin. What is it with them? One in particular sounded like I was going to be pushing up the daisies a year after diagnosis and I think he is a bit taken aback that I am doing so well. When I see him he makes me feel like I must prepare myself for the inevitable any time now. Fortunately he is only one and there are plenty of other doctors who are very posivie. Keep on enjoying yourself to the max .
I think a positive attitude is very important and I am encouraged by reading about others on this web site that are doing well and my prayers go out to those who are struggling.
My long term plan is Europe again in 2010. I will get there.Topic: New to the website
Just wanted to introduce myself. My mom Mom was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in May of 2007. Her oncologist is a wonderful doctor as well as his staff and they begain to fight this battle with her on May 29. She did very well with the treatments, eventhough there were some bumps along the way. Her platelets were very low at times, potassium, magnesium, iron levels, etc. would go down from time to time, but still Mom and her team persevered. Finally in the summer of 2008, they decided to give her a break for a couple of months. However, upon her return for treatment, they discovered that the tumor had grown a little, so they loaded up with some new ammunition and began another round of treatment (5FU). But this time, it faltered and her body just couldn’t deal with it – she had to have 3 units of blood, had to have a port put in (for ease of administering further chemo treatment) and also had to have albumin infusion therapy. Which brings us up to her current status.
For now, Mom is resting and gearing up for new research and new chemo therapy treatments to become available. Her family, faith and friends keep her busy and optimistic.
Her legs swell due to the fluid retention that goes along with the liver not functioning. She is under the care of Home Hospice, and there are so many questions, but I am afraid of the answers.
I am scared almost everyday that things will not stay the same and that her condition will worsen and I won’t be prepared. (are we ever prepared???)
This is a wonderful website and I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. Thanks
marions we are in memphis chemo will be gemzar and 5fu rad to surgical bed area external beam 19 treatments charlie is 65yrs old dr.s do not seem to be in a hurry do i assume this to be due to predicted outcome… im confused jan
In reply to: hopeless
trying to answer some of the question here.he keeps saying he’s feeling ok,but he sleeps all day long,has no energy, and doesn’t do anything.is loosing his balnce but is keeping his weight even though he doesn’t want to eat.is coughing quite a lot,and i was told by the dr that i work with that if his ascites and pleural efusion was very very bad they wouldn’t send him home without any at least diuretics or maybe do some drainege…he had his surgery at massachussets general hospital w/Dr.Sarah Thayer…she is an angel…i wish all drs. were like her…and now his onc is Dr.David ryan…very good professional but very pessimistic….i feel bad or him…he will start 5FU with a booster,but he was on Gemox for 4 months.it didn’t work.so the dr. doesn’t think it’s worth to use oxaliplatin again…so it won’t be FOLFOX…i’ll just keep praying and hope for the best…
thanks all of you…i’ll keep you on my prayers…Topic: hopeless 5fu?
hi everyone…we got the results of my dad’s ct…it’s bad…besides his liver mets,now he has ascites,and the disease is progressing to his stomach area and lungs…he’s been sleeping and coughing a lot…also losing his apetite…he was on gemzar/oxaliplatin but the dr. stopped.no longer working…he’ll start my dad on 5fu with i think leucovarin…does anybody know anything about this….do we have a chance?his onc. is hopeless…but i believe in a god of miracles…my dad is only 50.dx 12/07,wipple 01/07 and now this…i’m scared…
Topic: hopeless
hi everyone…we got the results of my dad’s ct…it’s bad…besides his liver mets,now he has ascites,and the disease is progressing to his stomach area and lungs…he’s been sleeping and coughing a lot…also losing his apetite…he was on gemzar/oxaliplatin but the dr. stopped.no longer working…he’ll start my dad on 5fu with i think leucovarin…does anybody know anything about this….do we have a chance?his onc. is hopeless…but i believe in a god of miracles…my dad is only 50.dx 12/07,wipple 01/07 and now this…i’m scared…
