Avastin side effects?

[vyokeefe]

At our appt. with the gyn-onc yesterday, we asked about Avastin (my mom has stage 3 ovarian or peritoneal cancer, they haven't said which!). The gyn-onc said he doesn't like using it because it can cause bowel perforations, but I haven't seen this mentioned in the literature. Anyone have this experience?

[daisies]

Sorry to read about your Mum, but in relation to Avastin - I am on it now for nearly 2 years and during that time also 2 lots of chemo - but I am not too worried about the side effects, as I am checked every 3 weeks and scans/x-rays are done if I complain or mention any new side effects. I, unfortunately, suffer from constipation since I developed OC and my Onc, has warned me to ensure I don't block up ( if you get my drift).

But we know, that everyone reacts differently to all drugs and treatments - so don't worry as there are lots of different regimes.

My best wishes to your mother.

Daisies

[TrishLey]

Hi There.

I too have been on Avastin (18 months) there is a small chance of Bowel Perforation bit I believe it is quite small in the lower percentages. There has been quite a lot of discussion about Avastin on this site. Where does your mum live. In the UK Avastin is not always readily available and in some places it is not available. If you are in the UK you should check this out to see if your mum is just being put off due to lack of availability. In Ireland it is available. Also if your mum has a history of bowel problem this could be the reason as she would be at a greater risk. Hope this helps and I wish your mum all the best with her treatment.

xxx

Trish

[vyokeefe in reply to TrishLey]

We're in California, and my mom is under the Kaiser system. I do worry that in our HMO world the doctors may avoid expensive drugs (like Avastin) and tests (he also won't do a CT-PET scan). Other docs outside the Kaiser system use carbo+taxol+Avastin as their "gold standard."

[thesilent1 in reply to vyokeefe]

Hi, I asked my Onc about Avastin as I am on 1st recurrence. She told me that bit has not been approved by NICE the body in the UK who approve drugs for use and she also told me it hadn't been approved in the States either. The ladies who do get it in England get it through the Cancer Drugs Fund. Ann

[daisies]

Hello vyokeefe.

had a quick look at Kaiser system and it seems to be based on a particular hospitals health system. But in relation to the old reliables of carbo+taxol+avastin - that has proved to be a very good gold standard for me - nearly 4 long years of it, so it must be good. My oncologist is very open with me when discussing drugs/regimes/treatments and the cost is never the issue, but the most effective drugs for me.

Hope you are having lovely sunny warm weather, as the winter has set in here in Ireland - with lots of rain and the first frost of winter arrived last night. Mind you, we do not get very harsh winters.

Daisies

[baxbird]

Hello,

I have only been in Avastin for a few months, but the side effects were drilled into me before I started so that I could be aware and bowel perforation was one of the main 3. My oncologist is concerned about it, so much so that she might consider taking me off it earlier than the 18 cycles that I was to be given, but again I'm on the understanding that it is a small percentage affected.

Dawn

[Hidden]

I have been on Avastin for twelve months now, I understand they will give you a break after two to two and a half years on it. I understand that side effects will show up in the first few weeks and that bowel peforation is rare, Well l that is the thinking on this side of the atlantic. Can you ask your Mums onc if she is getting the best treatment available and what other options are open as in moving oncologist and hospital if you are not happy. But in saying that there are a lot of different treatments for patients now and everyone is different and medical history and clinical health is taken into account in prescribing the various chemos. All the best to you and your Mum and keep in touch with us

[Yogini01uk]

Hi. I have been on Avastin for 15 months and I am fine on it except for aching joints, which I can put up with.

Jean x

[Kal47]

I had stage 3 Oc

I was given taxol and carboplatin and Avastin.

I was on Avastin from January 2013 until July 2014

I was in a study in which I would be on Avastin the rest if my life.

Unfortunately Avastin perforated my bowel and I nearly died.

A friend of my called last week to see how I was doing and she told me her husband had died from a perforated bowel and he was on Avastin for his cancer!

So it seems to me that Avastin may be dangerous!

Kathy