Just received results from second liver MRI after 3 cycles of Docetaxel and Carboplatin chemo. MRI revealed the some of my 20+ liver lesions had disappeared and others had decreased in size by 50%! Let's hear it for Carboplatin!!
Med Onc thinks that my very good response may be related to an ATM genetic defect found in an earlier Guardant360 liquid biopsy.
Much relieved as first prognosis was an average of 12 months, but hey, I'm not average!
Best wishes. Never Give In.
Mark, Atlanta
That’s GREAT news!!! Way to go! You are definitely NOT average!
Outstanding result!
It sounds like your doctor knows what he's doing. Or maybe he's just lucky. Either way, it's a win for you.
I hope the doc's good judgment or good luck just keeps rolling along.
Alan
Mark, sounds good! I have had 8 rounds of docetaxol and carboplatin and my liver mets have greatly reduced also. My next set of scans is due next week. Hope they look as good as the scans from 3 months ago. Had to stop chemo six weeks ago because of extreme fatigue and edema. Looks like a lengthy vacation for me to recover from chemo side effects. Just taking a short shower exhausts me, still. Best of Luck
Good Friday Morning bb66hotflash,
I admire you for having 8 cycles without a break. Our current plan is to take a break after 6 cycles, which will be 1/9.
Any idea of the length of your recovery "vacation"? I can tell that it is taking me more days to get back to my new normal after an infusion.
Best wishes. Never Give In.
Mark, Atlanta
Mark,
My Onc told me until Jan or Feb. I have not had any significant changes since the 2nd week of round 8. Round 8 infusion on Oct 17th. I have pronounced edema, taking Lasix, and substantial fatigue. Difficult to get out of the house. Ok to sit at the laptop or read newspapers, but get breathless or dizzy if I walk around.
That is great news! I just started paclitaxel (another taxane chemo) and carboplatin myself after finding out that I now have few mets in lungs and liver. Obviously, I am worried about that new progression and hope my treatment will work well, but am wondering about the dosages, and my MD is splitting dosage so I get chemo weekly, instead of a bigger dose once every 3 weeks. The thing is I can't find data so far to back up what he's doing (waiting for next appointment to ask him). So my doc's plan is carbo AUC 1.5 target weekly with paclitaxel 60mg/m2 on day 1, 8 and 15. Would you know your dosages by any chance?
Best wishes and hope you keep getting positive results
Good Saturday Morning StephanB,
My Docetaxel is 117mg (60mg/m2) and Carboplatin is 4.5auc, both every 3 weeks. Also have Aloxi at 0.25mg before chemos, and leave with OBI Neulasta (6mg) on arm.
Best wishes. Never Give In.
Mark, Atlanta
My docetaxel started at 60mg/m2 and then was reduced to 50mg/m2 due to extreme fatigue. Carboplatin is 600mg. Infusions were every three weeks.
No, Mark, you are far from average!!! I could cry for these great results you've received. What a difference a bit of positivity and encouragement can make! You are going to live a happy life with Carole and your family and friends for a long time! Keep the good news coming, Mark!!!
That's great, Mark!
After my 8 rounds of docetacel and Carboplatin, I had a 6 week vacation but was extremely exhausted. Found out my potassium was only 2.5 and my EKG was horrendous. Immediate dosage of 80MEQ of Klar Kon, improved my condition in a few days. However imaging shows a lot of my liver mets had shrunk, but four were immune to the chemo. One is now 5.0cm in size. Hoping to undergo microwave ablation next week to remove it. Fighting with Health insurance for out of network approvals has been laborious at the least. I guess the chemo got the lesions which were susceptible to it, but others mutated into type that are not. Not many options left. Did ask for a biopsy sample of the biggie, to test for other possible alternatives.
Hi bb66hotflash,
Hang tough. I will have a 3rd liver MRI sometime after 6th chemo on 1/9, which will set the stage for next steps.
Have you and your Med Onc looked at Selective Internal Radiation-Spheres (SIR-Spheres)?
Nanoparticles of radiation are injected into your liver. My Med Onc in Atlanta has used it with several patients and it is done locally at Piedmont Hospital.
Best wishes. Never Give In.
Mark, Atlanta
There are a few trials going on in the US but none for the liver. Melanoma and colorectal cancer.
My Med Onc has used SIR-Spheres with several prostate cancer patients. As I understand, once you have liver mets, SIR-Spheres become an option.
Mark
This is a fantastic outcome. Hope not many side effects. Given you have done your genomic testing, would you be a candidate for PARP inhibitors?
Does Jevtana/carboplatin cross the blood-brain barrier?
Docetaxel and Carboplatin side effects
Docetaxel and Carboplatin
UK Cabazitaxel/Carboplatin availability
