Has anyone been told at chemo 5 that may need more than 6 chemos??

[Supermary]

Hi ladies

Today I saw my oncologist during my chemo 5

The plan was for me 3 cycles of taxol carbo platin

Surgery

Then 3 more cycles of carbobtaxol

Well I had my first three cycles very successful

Then 8 hour surgery with iliostomy ? Appendix , omentum and hysterectomy ( all visible signs of cancer removed )

I had iliostomy reversal one month later ( successgul)

Determine from pathology report post surgery they my cancer originated in uterus not ovary

In week after iliostomy reversal had chemo 5 and on NOVARTUS doing ok

CAt 125 result from chemo #4 was 48 down from 70 after iliostomy reversal

Today during chemo #5 oncologist mentioned options for next year being more chemo or maintenance drub or NED and break

My doctor had always mentioned the possibility of maintenance drug or NED BREAK BUT never the need for a chemo 7 or 8

Had this happened to anyone ? Why?

Of course tonight now that I’m out of chemo 5 I am replaying the day in my head and have sent my question to he oncologist

Just wondering if any of you wonderful ladies have experienced this or heard of this extended chemo and why ?

Much thanks Margaret

[rosebine]

You usually have 6 chemos I believe at least, if you have surgery after no6 I think you may have 2 more a few weeks after surgery. Thats what my situation was, but couldnt have surgery anyway in the end!

[Superkim]

Hi Margaret,

I know that usually there is a 6 cycle limit at a time because of toxicity issues. If you are NED after 6, I don't know why they would want to do more chemo instead of a PARP or Tamoxifen or other maintenance. I would definitely ask the oncologist why they want more chemo and then you can decide how you want to proceed.

Hugs,

Kim

[Newbie_2020]

After the 6th chemo they usually do a CT scan and compare it with the baseline scan taken after surgery and before the 2nd round of chemo. Based on the outcomes from the scan they'll decide the next stage of treatment. If NED, then a maintenance drug of some sort, usually a PARP; otherwise, more treatment is required if there is still an evidence of the disease or perhaps a break then restart more chemo. The most important factor is the control of the disease and its progression. Good Luck and I hope you'll only hear the best outcomes that you wish for.

[ElayneZ]

Just before #6 chemo a few weeks ago for first recurrence after 18 months NED - my dr said although my Ca125 is again in normal range (20) - it is still decreasing each month so the chemo is still working and he’d like to see CA125 plateau before I stop. I was so ready to be done. But it made sense so I said I’d continue a couple more months and see how it goes. Chemo does wreck havoc with white and red blood cells - but I’ll continue to be very careful. Take care! Hopefully soon we will both be done with chemo!!