What a good question! In my ( fairly limited) experience it seems that carbo/taxol and surgery is fairly standard but even the same grade and type of cancer in two different people may have different results. I got a really good response to c/t but this was later associated with my BRCA gene status.
If the cancer recurs treatment will be influenced by when and where it has come back.
Then it seems to be down to your particular team to favour one regime or another. I think there is quite a bit of experimentation going on trying to find the right regime for each individual and then there are trials happening too.
Money is also a factor because some drugs are only funded at certain points in the process.
I keep asking my onc why he is using each treatment ..he always has an answer!
Thanks for this , it's quite comforting to know that there are many treatments out there I guess !... gives weight to the Never give up campaign!!!
I've had good shrinkage with my tumours with the 3 sessions, each lasting 4 hours ( even that seems variable with different ladies) so,looking forward, (for want of a better word) to the 22nd when the surgery is planned !
My mums has 3 weekly taxol/carb too. She had a scan after 3 results due on 21st, but in the mean time her 4th session is. Booked for this Wednesday, I don't know if they plan on operating but I guess a 4th chemo won't hurt in the meantime.
I think it is as the other ladies say, depends on costs and consultants preference I think x
Many thanks for this ... I was booked for my 4th/5th and 6th chemo , however after the scan they decided to postpone the chemo until Dec the 9th, then to operate ( debulking) on the 22nd..
I'd back Lyndy's suggestion of asking your oncologist. My understanding, after both the 21day carbo/taxol regime (used to be called the 'Gold Standard' but not use if it still is) and then on recurrence three-and-half years ago for clear cell, dose-dense regime of carbo/taxol + Avastin is that yes, the particular type of cancer influences the oncologists choice but also any other health issues you may have. Plus anything new which maybe 'creeping out of the research woodwork' ! So ask the oncologist and also your chemo nurses; I was lucky enough to have one during each occurrence who was very experienced and knowledgeable.
Carboplatin and taxol is the standard treatment and will be used for as long as it keeps working. However sometimes women can become resistant to carboplatin but there are other options to explore and some of these are covered by the NICE guidelines in England.
The weekly taxol is a lower dose and there was a study a couple years ago comparing weekly with the three weekly to see if women could tolerate it better but it does tie you to the hospital every week.
You are also probably aware that ovarian cancer is very complex and there are different variations of the disease because the ovary is made up of different types of cells so the different types will respond to chemo in different ways.
Of course we do have choice as well sometimes women choose only to have carboplatin because generally the side effects can be easier to tolerate and there have been conflicting studies about whether having the two together actually delivers any additional benefits.
Actually that isn't true I have low grade cancer and I was on taxol last year and had a better response to it than carboplatin. Taxol is also one of the alternative treatments used in the mek trials for low grade cancer but carboplatin isn't
My mistake. I meant high grade. My cancer was 1A grade 3 and Taxol was not prescribed as effective. I did 6 rounds of single agent Carboplatin and I'm cancer free. (for now - one never knows)
First of all best of luck to you on your upcoming surgery. I honestly could not wait to get that "thing" out of me! I had the surgery first then the 6 rounds of chemo. My onc says that the carbo/taxol is the standard chemo that is first line. it is recommended by the National Cancer Institute. the two work much better in combination that either alone. they work in different ways to kill cancer cells. they compliment each other.
Sometimes individuals are treated with different drugs if they have allergic reactions to a particular drug or perhaps are BRAC 1 or 2 positive or a host of other genetic variabilities.
I also have stage 3b high grade and just finished chemo one month ago. It goes by fast but side affects so occur. My feet have bad neuropathy that came late in my treatment. Chemo brain is my companion of late.
It's great to know that I've responded well to this standard treatment, also to acknowledge that there are a vast amount of other treatments available should any of us become intolerant or immune to any treatment.
I am soooooo looking forward to as you say "getting this thing out of me"!!!! I'll keep you updated on progress / events !!!
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Treatment for ovarian cancer
Time taken to start treatment
Alternative treatments
Update this is my 6th line of treatment Carbo/Caelyx
Diagnosis to First Treatment Timescale.
