Curious about weekly/21 day/28 day cycles of Chemo

[yogafreak]

I have read that some folks get a weekly dose, some every 21 days and yet others every 28 days. Does the regimen depend on stage or type or both?

I don't know my stage yet so wanted to be informed.

[Yoshbosh]

I think it depends on lots of factors: the type of chemo, the dose being given, how otherwise fit and healthy the patient is, if this is the first line of chemo or treatment for a recurrence, preference of the medical establishment where the treatment is being given... There's probably some flow chart somewhere that they use to determine what the best option is!

If anyone has a proper scientific answer, I'd also be quite curious to know. I had mine every three weeks, and from what I managed to work out when the nurses were setting up my drugs, I received a pretty hefty dose each time.

[yogafreak in reply to Yoshbosh]

Thanks, I will just wait to see what is recommended for me then.

[Aniram1973]

I think it's down to your oncologist'so preference! I had weekly, finished in May and am currently 'no evIdence of disease'

Good luck xxx

[Boot1947]

I had my chemo once a week, as part of the ICON8 trial. That was in 2014, so I don't know if it still happens. I felt great throughout, but had to stop early as my white/red blood cells were affected. I still have some neuropathy. I've been NED since then, and my CA125 is 13, so it must have worked! Good luck, wherever your 'journey' takes you! Deb xx

[SusanAM]

Hi, At least one of the clinical trials (ICON8B - which I am on) is looking at whether a weekly dose causes less problems than a 21 day dose. The drugs - in this case taxol, carboplatin and avastin, are not exactly divided by thirds but every 3 weeks you end up with the same amount of drugs.

Good luck with whatever your own chemo entails.

Susan

[Gleedy in reply to SusanAM]

I was on this trial and I was told that week one was carbo/taxol/avastin and week 2 and 3 just taxol. They are looking to see if taxol given in smaller regular doses is more effective I was told. I definitely was not as wiped out as people on one large dose every 3 weeks but the hospital visits felt relentless.

[SusanAM in reply to Gleedy]

I was glad I did not end up having to go in weekly. That would have felt relentless.

Susan

[Jackiesten]

Mine is 3 weekly cycle and I am half way through 6 chemos, last time the taxol was reduced by 25% due to severe joint pain and numbing in hands. So much better this week and I have been able to sleep and function well. Always ask questions - there are professionals wanting to help, mine is "belt and braces" and I am well 2 weeks out of 3. Wish you all the best. J

[Welshandproud]

I am taking part in the icon8 trial which means that i get Taxol every week and Avastin and Carboplatin every 3 weeks. I get a lesser dose of taxol each week but this builds up over the cycle. I hope this helps.

[caf132]

Hello- I am sorry you have to be dealing with this awful disease. As for the chemo regime it depends on your onc, but the first line of treatment for GYN cancers is carboplatin and taxol used in combination. They enhance each other, kill cancer cells in different ways as to complement treatment. My onc says they work better in combination than alone. If you are BRAC1 or 2 you may get a different treatment.

Carbo/taxol is generally given weekly in a three week cycle. Both drugs on week one then week two and three just the taxol. You may get a port put in your chest into the vena cava which makes everything easier, blood draws and chemo.

Keep us posted. There is a lot of knowledge here and support.

XX carol

[Yoshbosh in reply to caf132]

I had the same combo, but both given every 3 weeks, rather than taxol each week.

[Mommoo65]

Hi yogafreak.. Love your name. Makes me feel guilty I am lying in bed here instead of getting my butt out of it.

I had carbo/taxol as well, it's pretty standard. I had the every 3 week regimen, both given over a 6 hour period. I had a port put in under my left breast during debulking and it did give my veins a break.

Trust your onc with whatever treatment is given. As you have read here, there are many ways to receive chemo and probably many factors involved as to why a particular one.

You have come to the right place here for advice! Don't stop doing that! I learned more about this disease and it's side effects than I did from my doctors. , and got support, understanding and virtual hugs from these ladies and gents.

Good luck and I guess I'll crawl out of bed and get moving!

[Ruebacelle]

Yes. Each protocol is different