Weekly Paclitaxol

[win_56]

Has anyone had success with with weekly taxol? I've got two stubborn cancerous pelvis lymph nodes. I'm deemed platinum refractory. Thanks.

[StilCrazy]

Hi. I had about 7 areas of ovarian cancer recurrence after my first round of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemo. The chemo finished in August 2022 and by March 2023 I had a lymph node mid abdomen of 44 mm, several pelvic lymph nodes that were around 25 mm and 2 lung lesions. I had been told previously by an oncologist that ovarian cancer is so hard to treat that catching it early does not make much difference to the prognosis. I therefore figured there was no hurry! I would do what I could to be as healthy and active as possible and repeat the chemo only when I got ill. The doctors were worried, but I realised that they have to practice maximum caution as a care giver. As the owner of my body I can take some calculated risks. I figured if the lymph nodes got huge suddenly I would become symptomatic. I have been scanned every 3 months since and now 12 months later the lung lesions have disappeared and all the lymph nodes have halved in size or disappeared. I have enjoyed one year of good health with no more chemo and still we wait..."First do no harm" is an important medical philosophy. Your lymph nodes swell up as they clean up the debris of an infection. Perhaps these lymph nodes are clearing up the cancer that was left. Leave them to do their work. Eat healthily and have some fun. Have another scan in 3 months and see...We have an incurable cancer so overdosing on dangerous drugs that don't work is unwise.

[win_56 in reply to StilCrazy]

That was very interesting to read. Thank you for your reply. I'm going to be scanned in a few months time again and see what the state of play is. Are you doing the healthy eating vegan diet or metabolic approach and are you taking any COC off label/supplements?

[StilCrazy in reply to win_56]

Hi. I am trying to eat keto. I was persuaded by Nasha Winters not to be vegetarian because of the high carb load. I try to eat a lot less calories per day than I used to and no carbs ( not easy!!!). I eat from 2 pm to 6 pm (sometimes 8 pm!) and fast the rest of the time. I do take the COC drugs every day but not the doxy. It made me nauseous. It is scary, but I deeply believe that I am responsible for my healing and that the oncologists are there to help me . If I made them manage the process we would both be unhappy. They don't have the time to think about my unique set of circumstances every day. I do. I may need chemo again, but I am avoiding it as long as possible because of the side effects. I lost my memory and sensation in my feet.

[0V0J0 in reply to StilCrazy]

Hear Hear. Not so crazy!

[dryden1 in reply to 0V0J0]

Hi,I have long history was diagnosed 20 years ago after initial treatment I went into remission for 10years and for the last 10yesrs I have had many lines of chemo.I have had weekly taxol with few side effects and it shrank my main tumour

[win_56 in reply to 0V0J0]

Yes LOL 😂

[win_56 in reply to StilCrazy]

Hi StirCrazy

Thank you for all your comments, very much appreciated

I wonder if the nodes have shrunk and the lung lesions have disappeared in 12 months because of your COC protocol and healthy eating. I personally do think it makes a vast difference.

I personally think that the 18 weeks of paclitaxol that my oncologist is giving me maybe an overkill and as I'm having scans every three months therefore I'm going to see how the land lies as to put it.

I've just finished week 3. After 9 weeks scan if there is no evidence of disease then I may request to stop and save the treatment for another time as deemed incurable too.

I know that there is a lot of research at the moment for platinum resistant patients and trials going on and I'm hoping sometime in the near future there may be other treatments. Your replies make a lot of sense and I can understand your logic and way of thinking about treatments. You are one strong lady and I wish all the very best going forward and thank you so much for taking the time to respond to my questions, very much appreciated.

[Saintgermain]

Hi, I just finished 6 carbo/taxo/keytruda for a recurrence in a supraclavicular & pelvis lymph nodes both mid and post treatment petscan were clear. I'm on a maintenance infusion of Keytruda (immunotherapy) every 6 weeks and an Estrogen inhibitor

[win_56 in reply to Saintgermain]

Hi Saintgermain

Thank you for your reply

I'm so glad that the nodes disappeared after you treatment

I had radiotherapy for a superclavical node and that made it dormant, but the pelvic node only shrank by 40% and I've now got another one popped up!

I will see how it goes with the weekly paclitaxel and see how mnay sessions I need to kill these blighters! Thanks for your reply, really appreciated and all the very best going forward.x