Search Results for 'gemcitabine cisplatin'
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Search Results
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New in the New England Journal of Medicine:
I can verify this worked for my Mom. At diagnosis she was Stage IV with lung mets and this was the first chemo she had. She lived almost exactly one year after diagnosis. The original prognosis was “maybe 2 months”
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/363/2/198-b
Pam
In reply to: Gemzar/cisplatin or gemzar/xeloda
Bill,
I couldn’t go into detail earlier on your request for experiences with these chemos, but I can now.
Gemzar (Gemcitabine) can be hard on your white blood count. I took it with Cisplatin too and other than a 4 week low white blood count that caused me to have to stop treatment for a while, I can’t say that there were too many other side effects. All the chemos made me tired. On the Gem/Cis, I would have an infusion once a wk for 2 wks, then off a wk. When my white count went low, I began losing hair (maybe about 1/2), but not all. It thinned a lot, but did not come out in clumps as it might if the chemo caused me to lose hair. I was told one of these has a 50/50 chance of hair loss, the other not hardly at all. After the 1st instance of low white count, I was given a shot after each infusion to cause my bone marrow to produce more white blood cells to counter this effect. It was never a problem again.
The Xeloda was in pill form, which made it much easier than an infusion. I took 2 pills, 2 x’s a day for 2 weeks, then off a week again. I began taking it with an infusion of Oxalyplatin. The 1st wk (when I had both) I was constipated (the Oxalyplatin), then the Xeloda (which is known to cause diarrhea) kicks in more and counteracted that and they kind of balanced each other out so it didn’t get that bad. Xeloda is very drying so you need to watch for “hand & foot” symdrome where they dry out and turn red and peel. Moisturizng all the time helps. If I remember, all of the meds. can cause neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet), and if it gets to be too much, they need to back off on the chemo. I had a little of this problem even before chemo, so it’s hard to say which one caused the most problems.
And the chemo. nurses advised to drink at least 64 oz. of water daily, to help flush the meds through your kidneys. I believe it was Gemzar that was hardest on the kidneys.
I haven’t had radiation yet (hoping for it soon), so I can’t help you with that. Hope what I have said helps you. Remember though, everyone can have different reactions, and the older patients (I have read here), have a harder time with them. And not only the reactions/side effects differ, but also the success rates differ. Although we all actually have the same cancer (cholangio.), some may have success with Gem/Cis, some Xeloda, or Oxal. or even Tarceva. For some, chemo. isn’t effective, but radiation is. I don’t know why.
Take care and come back often.
Linda Z.
In reply to: Cholangiocarcinoma Cancer
Hi,
My Dad will be having Gemcitabine and Cisplatin. Day 1 he will have both, Day 8 he will just have Cisplatin then he has 13 days off. They are hoping to give him 3 cycles then scan to see if it has worked. This was the treatment that came about from the ABC02 trial and has proved to be succesful in advanced cases compared to just Gemcitabine alone.
My Dads CC isn’t in the liver it’s contained in the bile duct outside the liver.
Good luck to you and your husband with the Chemo.
NB: The information displayed below does not replace the protocol. The latest protocol version should always be consulted before making clinical decisions.
ABC-03
Randomised phase II trial of cediranib (AZD2171) vs. placebo in addition to cisplatin/gemcitabine chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancersTopic
Cancer
Portfolio Eligibility
Funded by UKCRC partner
ISRCTN
EudraCT 2009-013408-30
MREC NIn reply to: treatment in Australia
Julie,I actually think you have been given wrong information.Gemcitabine with a platinum drug is what is usually given in this country first for this type of cancer so I am unsure what happened in your case.It sounds as if you should go with the other oncologist 4hours away if possible.By the way it is the gemcitabine that is the main drug,the platinum drugs like cisplatin are just to enhance the effect Janet
Topic: treatment in Australia
Hi to all. I need to find out information on treatments that people in Australia are receiving. I’m very happy to here what people around the world are on but our lovely Australian Government deems a lot of treatment world wide not acceptable for financial reasons so it’s best to hear from Aussies, also a lot of treatments are in other names so all help will be greatly appreciated. My husband has had two rounds of cisplatin, mitamicin??? and fluro something which has failed so now he’s had approval for gemcitabine (gemzar) only. When I queried about using cisplatin also his oncologist fobbed me off with some talk of cisplatin not working before so won’t use it this time. Needless to say we’re going to get a second opinion so that’s why if anyone can give me alternative treatments I can discuss this with the new oncology team. A friend of mine’s wife has liver cancer and he asked if we had been offered any oral chemo treatment. We got side tracked and the discussion ended. I will call him but like all of us life is pretty full on. Hence this message. So if anyone can help I’d really appreciate it. I did see some info given by a lady in Canada who I think was being treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin and also an oral drug which I think is tarceva so if she see’s this I would greatly appreciate any thing else she can add. So help me please any information will be greatly appreciated. Hope all you have happy and safe journeys. Julie
I have been taking Tarceva since September 2009. The side effects eventually leveled off for me and it is mostly dry skin and tiredness that I notice now. Along with the Tarceva, I also had a combination of IV chemos Gemcitabine and Cisplatin from July 2009 through March 2010 (one week on, one week off). On March 30, 2010 I had a PET scan and there were no traces of cancer in the liver! Amen! I believe the combination of Gemcitabine & Cisplatin did a good job at keeping my tumor from growing, or any new ones developing. And, that it was the Tarceva that eventually got rid of everything. (Of course, I also attribute my miraculous healing to the answering of many prayers!)
That being said, I just learned this week some very important information about Tarceva and want to share it with all of you who may be taking it so you can inquire with your doctor/pharmacist. When refilling my Rx this week, I spoke with the Pharmacist and she told me something that I had never heard before. She said that I could NOT take reflux medication (i.e. Omeprazole/Prilosec, Previcid, Nexium, etc.) while on Tarceva, and that doing so would significantly reduce the absorption of Tarceva. She also said that if I need to take an antacid (i.e Tums), it needs to be spaced two hours from taking the Tarceva. This is critical information that everyone needs to know!
I hope that my update gives you encouragement, and the information about Tarceva is helpful. If I can ever answer any questions for you regarding my treatment, please let me know. God bless you in your journey.
Topic: tumor inactive
Great news! Tumor is the same size and is inactive. Stable. No new tumors. Doctor said my blood work is great and was “amazed” that I am still doing so well. When I mentioned I had gained two pounds since my Feb. appointment he smiled and said, “incredible”.
Diagnosis of inoperable Klatskin tumor stage 4 July 09. Radiation and chemo Sept and Oct. 09 which stopped tumor growth but no shrinkage. Turned down chemo in February because I was feeling so well and had things to do. I’ve decided now I will start chemo – Cisplatin/Gemcitabine.
It seems crazy to feel so happy and well and then start chemo, but this cancer world is really different.
Kathy
In reply to: Mother in Law
Thanks to everyone for their posts. She just did another round of chemo and seems to be doing fairly well….Amber she is doing Cisplatin/Gemcitabine about once a month. It seems she has different symptoms after each round of chemo. It began with fevers and then she had congestive heart failure, which was treated with diuretics and she responded very well. The time before she had issues with her blood and had to have transfusions. This most recent one she is having slight . confusion, hopefully which will be gone tomorrow. Dinesh, I agree sometimes we don’t always treat older people with the respect they deserve…they have so much to give to the younger generations. I’m not sure how much longer she will want to pursue the agressive treatment that she is doing now but it seems she has a bad week only to have three good ones…I guess you have to outweigh the good with the bad.
In reply to: Mother in Law
Hi Theresa,
My Dad was diagnosed with inoperable CC April a few weeks ago and apart from being jaundiced (which is now going thanks to the stent) he is doing things as he normally would.
I check this site most days and to read a story like yours ‘makes my day’ My dad is due to start Chemo soon (Cisplatin/Gemcitabine) I’m hoping like your mother-in-law it controls the growth. At the moment they say it is 1.8cm and he is lucky they have found it this early as usually it is at a much later stage before it causes jaundice. The unlucky thing is it effects important viens/arteries so an operation is out the question.
Best wishes to you and your family
In reply to: 81yr old Dad
DianneH wrote:Regardless of tumour growth, since Dad has had the metal stent in, most of his natural colour has returned, and his appetite has gotten better, closer to normal (he’s eating everything on his plate). I know this could still be the honeymoon stage, but I know what I’m seeing!Dianne
How long did it take for your Dad to not be so jaundiced after his stent was fitted?
Our first doctor told us that my Dad had months to live as his tumor was inoperable, we have now been offered Gemcitabine and Cisplatin, which is considered to be the standard treatment for advanced cancer according to Cancer UK. Just need to get his bilirubin levels to 50 first.
Hope your Dad enjoys his visit to Hungary. Wishing you and your family all the best for the future.
In reply to: Dad diagnosed with CC – Step 1 (UK)
While i’m writing this the sun is shining, hopefully a sign today is going to be a good day! Went to visit dad last night but he’d only just come back from having his stent put in and was still on another planet lol!
The good news is that while the first hospital he was in told him no treatment was likely to be offered and he’d got months to live, the QE Hospital have told him he is going to have Gemcitabine and Cisplatin. I am going to ring the Clinical Nurse Specialist today to find out more, as we still don’t know what stage or location of the tumor. I know operating would have been the best outcome but this to us is good news too, if it gives him another few years it is much better than months, each day is precious.
Lainy, you are so right, my liitle munchkin will help my Dad fight this. I was pregnant with my son when my Dad was diagnosed with Colon Cancer 9 years ago. He kicked that cancer and he will certainly do his best to kick this. The house is so quiet without my little man but the weather is lovely and hopefully he’s having the time of his life!
Thanks again for listening
In reply to: Mom diagnosed at 53.
Nancy, please don’t worry about the chemo. I’m starting my fourth cycle of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin on Thursday (once a week for two weeks and then a week off), and there’s nothing to be scared about. Be sure you know what the side effects are and how to deal with them (including when you should call your doctor). You should be prescribed an anti-nausea drug (I take Zofran), and be sure you can take one before the chemo drugs are transfused.
The biggest side-effect I’ve experienced is fatigue, and that builds after the second treatment and eases off during the third week of the cycle. It’s more of a nuisance than anything. I’ve had a couple of abdominal infections that have been much more troublesome.
By the time my cancer was discovered, palliative chemo was the only recourse
In reply to: what treatments are out there
