Search Results for 'gemcitabine cisplatin'

Hi – I’m new to this site. My 65 yr old mother was diagnosed with CC end of September, 2010. After couple weeks of complications, she underwent successful removal of bile duct tumor (obstruction) November 10th, with noted abscesses in liver (which were initially thought to be infection and treated with antibiotic therapy). However, oncologist confirmed end December cancer cells – metastatic disease of liver. Yet, no tumors of the liver are currently visible by the “naked eye”/scans. Chemo is being recommended using gemcitabine and cisplatin for a 6 wk cycle = 18wks of tx (2wks chemo tx, 1wk off).

After much research, reading (ie.,The China Study, J. Ratey’s SPARK, Servan-Schrieber’s Anti-Cancer, Richard Beliveau’s Foods that Fight Cancer, Kris Carr’s CrazySexyCancer, cancer studies/clinical trial findings), discussing and meeting with doctor friends and docs using traditional medical model, there still remains uncertainty as to the efficacy of these chemo drugs in treating specifically CC despite it’s use in stnd, 1st line tx (have been quoted efficacy rates of 30%).
As such, wonder about trying alternative routes first before putting undue stress on the body, wiping out one’s entire immune system and increasing risks due to chemo. We have met with an integrative medical doctor (seekerscentre.com) who combines traditional and alternative txs to discuss options. So my real question is the following…
Question: Wonder if anyone is choosing or has used only alternative treatment approaches to treat this disease? I am interested in learning of your experiences….
BTW- To date, my mum (who is also a 45yr type 1 diabetic) has made remarkable recovery from surgery, is incredibly positive and fit – attending weekly exercise programs, enjoying feeling and looking great:)
Thank you to all for sharing your stories of hope and inspiration!
Sharon

I’s a new member but first visited in May of this year when mom was diagnosed. She was at MSK in NYC for a Whipple, but they closed her up b/c tumor had spawned spots on her abdominal wall. She’s been tolerating chemo of just Gemcitabine well (her choice to not add Cisplatin), and had a mostly normal quality of life most of the time.

She went thru a rough patch in August when they had to replace a stent and was hospitalized for a week. She’s dreading going through that again.

She’s been nauseous & throwing up on and off for the past week. She spent an afternoon at the infusion center just for fluids. Another CT scan scheduled for Monday.

I called her oncologist last night – he sent a Rx for a different anti-nausea med. She’s actually worse today – not really holding down liquids.

How much should I press to get her to go to the hospital? She lives alone – I’m a mile away & check in on her once or twice a day. I feel guilty calling her doctor against her wishes.

I have 4 older brothers & sisters who help out & advise, but usually I have to make the call as her health care proxy.

Thanks for reading. Blessings & peace.

PS – Mom is 78. Dad passed away 2 1/2 years ago of complications from esophageal cancer & heart disease. She originally rejected idea of chemo flatly based on watching Dad go thru chemo.

http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertreatment/Treatmenttypes/Chemotherapy/Combinationregimen/Gemcitabinecisplatin.aspx

Hello,

I`m Tom from Toronto, was diagnosed with advanced non-resectable intrahepatic CC in July, and have been on gemcitabine and cisplatin therapy. They were hoping to get it to a state that could be operated on. In the last 2 months I have had abdominal ascites fluid build-up, it now turns out this is from abdominal metastases that are growing. Treatment has now been changed to gem and xeloda.
Am wondering if there is any good information on other treatments including alternative therapies that may help. Even if just for discussion with my oncologist. I am wary of going to the US or UK for current trials as I don`t want to leave my family for an extended period (we have 3 yr old triplets) and for the costs involved.

Thank you for your attention.

My mother was diagnosed with CC at the end of May 2010 at the age of 64 -her cancer was stage 4 and had metastasized throughout her liver. Her cancer was inoperable and treatment was offered to ‘extend life’. She was treated with Gemcitabine and Cisplatin but could only get through 1 1/2 rounds. She passed away on Sept 7 2010 after a series of complications. She was by far the strongest person I’ve ever known – her tolerance for pain did her a disservice in this case as it took a lot for her to go to ER. My sisters and I were relentless and dove ourselves into every piece of information out there – together with our mother we fought as hard and long as possible.

I’ve joined this group/website because I think it’s important that we exchange our experiences and knowledge about CC. Although a rare cancer, it is very lethal and unfortunately shows up in later stages. No family should ever have to experience the horrers of CC, however I strongly believe that with enough research and resources we can change it’s prognosis.

I know that the only medicine that truly helped my mother was hope; doctors need to realize that it is sometimes the only thing a patient has left and it truly can do wonders. So to anyone going through this journey, do not forget that each individual and their cancer is different and can react differently to treatment. Medicine is an art not a science. I wish everyone affected by CC the best and don’t give up!

Bad news for my husband Tom.

He had his CT scan revealed on Tuesday and he went for the results on Wednesday.

Liver: The scan revealed a 2.2 cm low-density lesion at the posterior aspect. There is a 1.7 cm lesion just anterior to that. There is a 1.8 cm lesion just lateral. There is a 2.7 cm lesion at the anterior margin which extends beyond the margin of the liver. All of these lesions have enhancing margins. Inferiorly and posteriorly there is a 1.5 cm lesion which is less well-defined. It appears that 2 of these lesions were present on the prior exam but have increased in size. Dilated ducts are seen anteriorly.

Pelvis: There is a 11 x 4.2 x 10.5 cm soft tissue mass in the pelvis anteriorly at the posterior aspect of teh right rectus muscle which appears continuous with muscle and extends in the peritoneal cavity and extends down anterior to the bladder consistent with metastasis.

Today Tom had aPort installed and he starts IV Chemotherapy tomorrow. He will be on gemcitabine and cisplatin. His Chemotherapy will take about 3 1/2 hours on day 1 (tomorrow) then 8 days later another infusion, then 21 days with nothing, then repeat that cycle.

Another CT scan after that to see how the ‘lesions’ and the mass look.

Lesions…humm another nice way of saying ‘cancerous tumor’

The good news is that Tom still wants to fight to try and KICK this cancer! I have made him promise that when the KICKIN’ gets to be too much and his quality of life starts to suffer he will say ‘enough is enough’ – after all we all know that the human body can only take so much. His oncologist feels that he will be strong enough to handle the chemo…

Go with God and KEEP KICKIN’ THAT cancer.

Margaret and Tom

Hi,

Thank you to all of you who have posted. I have been reading the posts and gaining inspiration from all of you.

I was diagnosed in April 2010 with stage 4 CC and surgery was not an option due to the widespread metastatic disease in my liver. I went through 6 cycles of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin and tolerated it very well and had much symptom improvement (decreased abdominal bloating and pain). Anticipating good results, in July I had a PET scan and CT scan which confirmed bone metastases. So once again my doctors have told me how unusual this disease is and now again to hear how bone mets is unusual. I also had a bone CT to confirm areas of disease in my spine. I am very fortunate as I don’t feel any increased pain or discomfort.

I am playing the waiting game now. My platelets have not recovered well from the gemcitabine therapy so we are waiting for them to go back up before I start my 2nd line therapy of 5-FU/Leucovorin plus oxaliplatin.

I am being seen by a wonderful doctor at Johns Hopkins Hospital who has helped guide us through this process. Because of the nature of my disease a clinical trial is not an option. Plus I have decided not to pursue a clinical trial because I want to be with my family as much as I can. After all these months with multiple appointments I’m happy to be feeling well and enjoying my family.

I have an unbelievably supportive family that includes my husband, a son who is 11 years old, and a daughter who is 9 years old. They have been wonderful and I love them so much.

I went to my first yoga class specifically for cancer patients this week. I still cry when I discuss my disease with others. But the class was very supportive and understanding and relaxing! I am thankful to be well enough to attend and feel my body again.

I have learned many things with this disease but one is to seek out supportive doctors. Don’t listen to the first oncologist who never looks at you in the eye but tells you you only have a couple of years to live. No one knows how this disease will progress and everyone is unique. Everyone is beautiful and time is irrelevant.

I send my hugs and support to everyone here!

Hi to all
Was wondering if anyone can answer this question for me. My job takes me away alot and my husband is often looked after by my mother or his mother so I don’t always get to be at all of his Oncology appointment. He just told me that his last meeting with his Onc was a mixed bag of information. He’s been on Gemcitabine now for approx 6 mths with good results. His tumour markers were 11,000 and now are approx 1900. We live in Australia and Gem is not the recognised treatment so we have been paying for it. His Onc just informed him that this treatment was a 6mth trial and indicated that it was all going to end. My husband said no way as if it’s working we’re not stopping. What my question is does anyone know if this drug can be used indefinitely or is it only for 6 mths then that’s it. If this is the case what else can be used in it’s place. We do have a complication which is that he has an infection and that is why cisplatin isn’t used. Any help that anyone can give would be greatly appreciated. I’m also going to consult his original team and see what they say so we will definitely be getting a second opinion. Thanks Julie