Chemotherapy advice – Carboplatin

[Chorlton_]

Hello

I am hoping for some general tips and advice please. I’ve been reading this forum for quite a few months but rarely post on here.

An ultrasound scan found that I had an ovarian tumour and following some more tests I recently underwent an abdominal hysterectomy. Following my surgery and the various tests on what was removed were carried out I was diagnosed with endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer. The cancer was classed as stage 1c2.

Due to the ovarian tumour rupturing during surgery it is recommended I have chemotherapy and this will be carboplatin and I will have six cycles of chemotherapy.

I have been informed I shouldn’t lose my hair with this drug however has anybody experienced their hair thinning from it? I had read about cooling caps but I’m not sure if I will need this with carboplatin?

I would be very grateful to hear any advice or tips please regarding what I should expect over the next 18 weeks or so. From what I know so far I will first undergo an assessment to check my kidneys are healthy and will then I believe have a blood test prior to each chemotherapy cycle with the chemotherapy likely to be given the following day. How long approximately will I be at the hospital whilst actually receiving the carboplatin, e.g. 4 hours? I don’t mind how long it takes and I’ll just make sure I have lots of books to read.

Thank you for any advice.

[kaki54]

I had 6 rounds of taxol and carboplatin in 2016. Stage 1 ovarian and uterine cancer. Recurrence January this year. Ovarian cancer in both lungs. I had 9 rounds of gemcitabine and carboplatin. My hair thinned a lot. But not bald. Added avastin round 4-9.

[MarleyZ]

Had the first re-occurrence in April this year tumor which was cancerous removed, I was initially put on carbo/caelyx was supposed to have 6 rounds managed 4 due to the side effects being horrendous in my case. The last two rounds my oncologist had two options the one we took was that I go on Carboplatin as a solo albeit increase dosage, mine at slow drip rate takes approx hour and 2p mins or so that includes the wash saline solution that is given before and after the infusion itself, the side effects are mild in comparison there shouldn't be any loss of hair or thinning, I so get a bit of neuropathy in toes but had that from the 2020 chemo of carbo/pax which resulted in hair loss etc as well.Advice just listen to your body, if tired rest, unless your on a diet which they have put you on ear what you normally would etc above all if you have any issues such as being overly tired or in pain or have tingling sensations contact your emergency chemo number ie the yellow alert card number they really will help you out and most times advise you of what you need to do. Good luck in chemo take it easy.

[MomCat6]

Hello, Chorlton,

Welcome to a club we would rather not be in but we are here to help each other through.

I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer in July 2019-it was barely stage 1-and underwent a total radical hysterectomy. No further cancer was expected.

At a follow up check up in December 2020, a mass was found on what little vagina I have left. The doctors and tumor board were all surprised and decided to hit it hard since it was so unexpected. I was prescribed a chemo, radiation, brachytherapy, chemo "sandwich" protocol.

I underwent 3 months of carboplatin and paclitaxel infusions. The prep and infusion sessions last 6-7 hours. I wore ice mitts and socks and did not have neuropathy. I did some ice caps but was pretty half hearted about it. Lost all of my hair after the second treatment. Started radiation a month after third chemo treatment. I had external radiation 25 days in a row and then three days of internal radiation (brachytherapy). Other than being very fatigued, I did not have side effects from the radiation. Some peach fuzz showed up as though my hair was starting to grow back.

I then had three more months of chemo-again carboplatin and paclitaxel. Again, all my hair was gone-from my head, face/chin, legs, pelvic region. I still had my eyebrows and I had lost some hair on my arms but not all of it. About 5 weeks after my last chemo session, hair started growing back. It has been 3 months and I now have about an inch and a half length of hair on my head. People no longer see me and assume I have cancer.

I don't know if it was the carboplatin or the paclitaxel or the combination that caused my hair to fall out. My cousin went through a very similar treatment just a few weeks behind my plan. Same chemo meds. She was very diligent about wearing an ice cap as well as ice mitts and socks. She took other measures to prevent hair loss such as certain diet and vitamin supplements. She still lost all of her hair. She has been done her treatments for 6 weeks and has fuzz on her head.

So what I can tell you is the chances are good that you will lose your hair...but it is not permanent. It has grown back faster than either I or my cousin expected. Good luck to you. You'll be okay.

[Belladrum]

Hello Chorlton.

So sorry to hear you are in this situation, but reassuring your cancer appears to be at an early stage.

I had carboplatin alone, and though told my hair might thin, it did not, and I kept it all. I have a different type of ovarian cancer to you, but assume the carboplatin regime will be similar, so here is my experience if it.

As you say, you get kidney function tests done in advance of starting chemo, then bloods done a day or so before each cycle. At each chemo session they do various checks - blood pressure, oxygen etc then a cannula placed ( mine was always back of hand, and they had me keep my hands in a basin of warm water for about 10 mins first, to make veins more prominent). I first got an infusion of steroids and anti sickness meds to help cope with the chemo meds. This took 15- 30 mins. They then gave me the carboplatin, which took about 1.5 hours. So, in total you are there about 2- 2.5 hours.. Lots of tea and biscuits, and you can go to toilet by wheeling your drugs on the stand with you- phew!

I was given oral steroid and anti sickness tablets to take at home for the first few days, so initially you feel great with loads of energy! I crashed a bit about day 4 when steroids stopped, but tried to make sure I had nothing on these days, and rested plenty.

All the very best with your treatment,

Sheila

[Ruebacelle]

Hi. Hair may thin you can use coconut oil to help it. Ice caps not in general use for carbo. 4 hours probably a good estimate. Good luck hugs from paris

[Tillymint61]

I am currently on my 5th of 6 carboplatin only treatment. 2nd line treatment. I previously lost all my hair when on 1st line combo of taxol. Cargo and Avastin however carbo on its own has resulted in only thinning. At 5th treatment it's barely noticeableother than on the hairbrush!Everything is as you described with blood test day before. Then dependant on them, pre-assessment and a check with a manual input of blood results by nurse as a final check that dose is all ok. Pre-meds of anti sickness and steroids.

Canulated. Hooked up to 5 minute wash through then 1 hour carbo. Further 5 min wash through at end. Cannula out and home. Usually about 2 hours in total for me as cannulating can be a bit time consuming. I like to take water, a book and my phone to occupy me.

As for the cold cap I chose not to use one.

Wishing you well with your treatment.

[Montelbano]

Hello Chorlton, my name is Ann. I was diagnosed with grade 4 ovarian cancer four years ago. Will write more later. Just curious, because I used to live in Chorlton, now I France, and would be interested in sharing types of treatments with you.