Xeloda with Radiation: Dosage Days?
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Thanks, Mary, for your response. My husband’s oncologist seemed to feel the same about staying true to the clinical trial protocol. The doctor also said that if the Hand-Foot Syndrome became really uncomfortable or if he was having other issues then we could look at going to a M-F schedule. Dr. Kelly at UCSF also said, “there is no right or wrong answer here. UCSF’s practice is similar to several other institutions in giving breaks on non-radiation days similar to infusional 5-FU to improve tolerability. This hasn’t been formally studied in biliary tract cancers.”
He had his second treatment today, 28 days to go!
Hi Tilly,
I had the xeloda seven days a week during the five-week course of radiation. There was initially some confusion over this including in determining the number of pills to order through my insurer, but the doctors following my case wanted to stay true to the original SWOG S0809 study protocol.
My impression at the time was that the continuous xeloda reflected that radiation’s effects on cancer cells continue after the therapy session ends, but this is a question that needs a more expert view than mine.
Regards, Mary
As a refresher: my husband has extra-hepatic and/or gallbladder CC, Whipple procedure in April, currently on the SWOG S0809 protocol (12 weeks of Gemzar & Xeloda, followed by 6 weeks Xeloda and radiation). He will be starting chemo/radiation at the end of next week.
I have a question for anyone out there who has followed this protocol or something close to it. We just noticed that the oncologist prescribed the Xeloda for seven days a week dosage. When we had our second opinion consult with Dr. Katie Kelley at UCSF she mentioned that the dosage would be five days a week (on treatment days) and not on the weekends since the drug is meant to enhance the radiation. I’ve done a bit of searching on the discussion board and, when folks have mentioned it, it sounds like it was given M-F. In the original article describing the SWOG protocol (Journal of Clinical Oncology) the medication was given seven days a week but I think that the NCCN/ASCO guidelines now recommend M-F. We will bring this up with our oncologist but any input/personal experience from the community would be greatly appreciated. Blessings, Tilly
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