How many times can chemo be given

[nikki9]

I have had 2 lines of chemo in 2 years and I am very sure it has returned, see my onc 6th dec. how many times can chemo be given. I know you lovely ladies will have an answer x

[Hidden]

Hi Nikki,

It does depend on the situation and the person's health etc.... there are people on here that has had a lot of different types of chemo.....I think they tend not to give the same type or combination too many times... for instance I was told that because I have had carb/taxol twice.... I will not have that again.... but there are other options... if I have a third recurrence.

Best wishes love x G x

[wendydee]

All the best Nikki

There may be an answer on the Ovacome website ...just google Ovacome and click through the options on the left of the page, or you could ring Ruth on 08453710554 I am sure she would have the facts you need.

I hope you're wrong about it returning but I know there are women who have had four, at least, courses of chemo.

Al the best

Love Wendy xx

[Whippit]

Dear Nikki,

This is a horrible time for you and I'm in the same place, expecting the news at some time that I'll need chemo again. They tend to put it off as long as they can which suits me.

Apparently the most effective chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer is carbo-platin but it doesn't work as well on the second or subsequent occasions. As Gwyn says there are other cocktails out there for us and I feel very hopeful about the new regime of administering Taxol weekly which has had great outcomes in trials in Japan and has been proven to prolong the average length of remission.

Much depends on how much chemotherapy you can take - physically and emotionally. It's one reason, I believe, it's good to keep as fit as possible with a good diet, exercise and positive thoughts.

Sending love and a hug. xxx Annie

[thehusband]

Hi, my wife had 3 different chemos between Jan 2011 and June 2012 and is now waiting for her 4th line chemo to start.

As others have mentioned i guess the amount you can have is dictated by the amount you are fit enough to take......we are lucky ish in so much as my wife has kinda tolerated the chemo well, though nothing has given her much time away from it.

Both my wife and I are of the opinion that as long as she is well enough to keep trying....thats what we will do for as long as the Doctors allow it.

Good luck

[Revy]

Since 1999 I have had Cisplatin/Taxol x1 course

Carboplatin x 8 courses

Topotecan x1 ''

Gemcitabine x1 '' and have just finished weekly course of scheduled 18 weeks which ended after 15 as at the MDT meeting the surgeon offered me surgery. I have had a laparotomy and at surgery they found multiple adhesions no visible evidence of malignancy and next week I go to get the results of the biopsies taken during surgery. I will keep you posted. However as others have said it depends on your blood count levels, general health and response to chemo as to how many courses are offered to you.

Chemo is no picnic but has keep me going for over 13 years and onward to the next!

Best Wishes Joyce

[Hidden]

Hi Nikki,

As everyone else says, it depends on so many things, both medical and physocological. I am a positive person, and have just been referred to the royal marsden by my onc who had run out of ideas after 6 different treatments, so now half way through carboplatin desensitisation, and I must confess I feel better already. Trouble is it is a long way to travel each time, with an overnight say. Stay positive and do what your body tells you.

Good luck

Love n hugs

[nikki9]

Thank you everyone your moments are so helpful, I don't know how I would manage without so much encouragement and good advice love to all xx