Avastin

Lauren:

Thanks for sharing the treatment info. we visited oncologist today. I want to share our new Chemo with you. it’s FOLFIRI + Avastin. once every 2 weeks.

we were runing a rolling coaster in the past 4 months for my wife’s treatment. she has tried two combinations based on Gemzar. it seems Gemzar+Cisplatin (2 months) doesn’t work for her. she switched to Gemzar+Abraxine for 2 months. according to this week CT result, 3 of total 6 tumors are shrinked, the other 3 are enlarged. there is no spread to other places. our oncologist has sent her tumor sample for Molecular profile analysis. According to the Molecular profile report, My wife’s tumor should have response to Irinotecan. That’s why our oncologist suggested the new regime.

Lainy:
Thanks for your kind invitation. I talked to Lulu about Teddy’s miracle fighting story. it is very encouraging. she wants to fight and see our two babies grow up. we will visit you once she feels better in the new Chemo.

Thanks
Bill

In our today’s visit, our oncologist decided to give FOLFIRI + Avastin to my wife who has been treated with Gemzar based drugs for 4months. I was wondering who else has received the similar treatment. I searched the whole forum but only find this link. Do you have any more info about treating Cholangiocarcinama with FOLFIRI based combination?

My mom was also diagnosed in October. She just started Avastin yesterday in combination with Oxyplatin and Gemzar. This will be her second round of treatments. The first round was Cisplatin and Gemzar. Unfortuntately, she did not get any shrinkage with these drugs. Hopefully she responds better to the new drugs. She is stage 3b (I think). She is seeing one of the oncologists at MDA in Houston.

I hope your father responds well to the Avastin. Good luck

Lauren sorry to hear about your dad my sister has this awful disease refer to my introduction. it is very overwhelming and at the moment we were told 11 months from diagnosis for her and she is only 30 like everyone says dont give up and fight ask questions etc i found too that there is not much information so i use this sight and tried to read as many peoples things that i can to see the different treatments etc. i put my sisters details of her diagnosis (eg the big words) in the search section and then read anyones blogs with similar stuff. this unfortunately for me gave me many answers to questions that were unanswered. my sister too was told pallative and i hate that word but thats what they use she just had her first wave of chemo and her liver shrunk 20% the drugs she used were listed on magic quote. she just had ray for her mets on her bone that are over 16cm and the ones in her back they wont touch. unfortunately i need to go but i iwll try and talk to you soon. hang in there keep fighting. and good luck.

Hello Lauren…..Avastin, a cancer medicicine, interferes with the growths of cancer cells. It hinders the formation of new blood vessels in the tumors thereby, slowing the growths of the tumor. Generally, it is given in combination with cancer drugs. As mentioned, there are plenty of discussion regarding Avastin some, with very positive responses. For a long time insurance companies refused to cover the treatments to patients with Cholangiocarcinoma however, this may have changed by now. Good luck.
Best wishes,
Marion

Hi Lauren,

Welcome to the site, although I am sorry that you have to be here. I can’t help you with your question regarding Avastin as my dad never had that, but I wanted to join Lainy in welcoming you here. I am sure that someone will be along soon who will be able to share their experiences of Avastin with you.

Please come back often as you will get so much help and support from us all here. Feel free to ask any questions that you have as I know that someone will be able to answer them for you.

My best wishes to you and your dad,

Gavin

Hello Lauren and Welcome to the Family but sorry you had to find us. IF you go to our research space at the top of the page and type in Avastin you can find some posts that may be helpful. I can’t help with that personally. Is he being treated now by MD Anderson? They are very good, one of the best. Can you tell us a little more like where the tumor is? I would make a list of questions to ask the doctor and there is never any harm in getting a second opinion. I know it is all overwhelming in the beginning but with reading and learning you will become a strong advocate for your dad. The fight will over take the fright and it sounds like you are already on the road. Please feel free to visit often.