I’m on weekly taxol and two weekly avastin. I was told I will be on this now until I can no longer tolerate it or until it stops working. I had a CT before Christmas and had a partial response. My CA125 has decreased from 1250 to 95. My consultant is now saying a partial response is the best outcome I could have had . She also said I can come off the taxol following my sixth cycle or stay on it . I have started my fourth cycle last week . Just wondering has anyone else stopped taxol following their sixth cycle . If it is working why stop it if I’m tolerating it or does it stop working at that stage . Has anyone any experience of this . Would appreciate advice. Thanks .
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Kieran2018
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Taxol is quite toxic, so the "standard" of six cycles is the balance point between enough to treat the cancer and enough to give you problems with toxicity. If chemo could be given continuously and endlessly, it would be, but that isn't an option.
I am in the same position without the avastin but with carbo plat in. My oncologist suggests 12 would be the maximum. She says it’s v hard on the body and it’s a balancing act. I am abt to have my 5th so I can’t answer yet with regard to longer. Good luck you’ve had a fantastic effect on your CA125 so celebrate that.
Like you, I was offered weekly taxol for the rest of my life or until it stops working or I stopped tolerating it. As I understand it, weekly taxol is a lower dose than the standard 6 treatments used earlier in the disease, which is normally given every 3 weeks. You've had a good response to the treatment,, which is likely why your oncologist has said you can stop after the sixth treatment. My feeling about it is, I'd stop, assuming they will give it another try in a few weeks' time if your CA125 rises rapidly again; taxol is quite toxic, and the effects are cumulative, but I suggest you have a longer chat with the oncologist to find out if they will give it again a bit later so you are fully informed in order to make the decision.
Thank you all for your reply’s they have been really helpful. I was told I couldn’t go back on the taxol if I stop it . I will continue now for another 3 months I will then have the six cycles complete. I’m having a CT then so I will decide then . I’m getting tired so by then the decision might be easy . I may not be able to tolerate any more and it will also depend on my CT results . I know it’s helping but at the same time it’s destroying me . I am delighted about my CA125 . Thanks again to you all . 🙏🙏
Hi. I personally would stop because quality of life is important to me. Have you asked about targeted drugs like Mirvetuximab? I know it’s newly approved in Europe. Or looked at trials?
I will look at trials . I saw Mirvetuximab was approved in Europe . I was told by my consultant that taxol and avastin was my last treatment. Hopefully the avastin will continue to work for me . I will continue not giving up . Thanks for your advice . Xx
When I wanted to stop my Taxol at #4 my Oncologist said no 6 infusions are the magic number. Wonderful you had that decrease in your CA125 Taxol kicks the CA125's butt. If I may ask did you have hair loss with the lower Taxol dose?
I did loss my hair . Kept falling out . Was everywhere so I had it cut off . It has started to slowly grow back when they reduced the dose to 60% due to me not tolerating the taxol .
Thank you for letting me know wondered about that I'm in the states right now I'm on oral low dose Cytoxan chemo pill very tolerable with Avastin/Keytruda infusion every 3 weeks for recurrence had a pet a couple of weeks ago not perfect but stable hoping to ride the wave a bit longer.
taxol is pretty rough. I only had 6 cycles and then was on maintenance Avastin for years. Avastin kept my numbers down nicely. Minimal side effects. Good Luck!
Hi I finished six lots of weekly taxol in September. i was given option of carrying on or taking a chemo break. As I wanted to return to work I have taken a break. I've had a CT scan after 3 months and am waiting for results. This was a personal decision, needed a break you need to decide which you'd prefer. Good luck with whatever you decide xxx
I had 9 cycles of Taxol before it stopped working. I tolerated it well & was able to take my 30 minute walk almost every day. It reduced my CA-125 from 17,000 to 770. Then my doctor determined via diagnostic laporascopy that it was better for me not to have debunking surgery. So she started me on Gemcitabine. I could not tolerate that as it destroyed my platelets. Three weeks ago I started Doxil (liposomal Doxirubison). I have tolerated it well, but we haven’t done a CA-125 yet. Best wishes to you.
I am coming to the end of six months of weekly taxol and am finding it very hard each time I have it. I'm meeting with my consultant next week so will find out what awaits me. Certainly a nerve racking time.
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