? Effectiveness of weekly taxol: Is weekly taxol... - My Ovacome

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? Effectiveness of weekly taxol

Maxine900 profile image
7 Replies

Is weekly taxol working?

I've just developed mild ascites, have had 5 sessions of weekly taxol. I had 8litres fluid removed before I started chemo ( almost 2 years ago). I had s

6 months cancer free then it came back last year. Just worried that the weekly taxol isn't working??

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Maxine900 profile image
Maxine900
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7 Replies

From what I have seen from a couple of friends is that if Taxol is used for extended periods it does eventually stop working. One friend was at 14 weeks, the other was extended to 36 weeks but it was stopped at 32 although there were signs at 23 weeks that its effectiveness were becoming less when her hair started growing back. I cannot compare Sandra,s as she stopped her treatment at 12 weeks because of chemo fatigue.

If the CA125 starts trending upwards or symptoms start showing it should trigger a scan which will confirm if the weekly taxol has run its course. Xx paul

thehusband profile image
thehusband

I think like any chemo it is luck of the draw and nobody can know for sure what will or will not work for you. For Christina weekly Taxol didnt work and it was stopped due to rising CA125 after 4 weeks. But then when her Onc said nothing else will work....well Gem/Carbo certainly worked.

If i were you i would ask for a scan/CA125 test next time you go for the Taxol. Good luck. Laurence

althea85 profile image
althea85

I was on weekly taxol (Carbo once a month) for three months until about a month ago. When it became obvious the ascites was increasing, we did a scan which showed progression of disease. I hope that is not the case with you!

Starting Gemzar on Wednesday.

Maxine900 profile image
Maxine900 in reply to althea85

What is gamzar? There are many drugs not available in Northern Ireland. I feel ok but ascites has started with me which causing me to doubt effectiveness of weekly taxol

althea85 profile image
althea85 in reply to Maxine900

Gemcitabine is it's official name, I guess.

chemocare.com/chemotherapy/...

francescahannah profile image
francescahannah

i finished weekly taxol as fifth line chemo (was diagnosed 10 years ago) 7 weeks ago after 17 weeks and it was very effective for me, bringing my CA125 down from 1200 to 20 and shrinking the tumours considerably. I haven't had a check up yet but feel OK so far. I also found it pretty easy to tolerate too so I do hope it works for you but as people have already said we're all so different in our reactions to treatments

good luck and hugs

Francesca x

precey profile image
precey

You need a scan and your blood tests show if your CA levels are going down, all the best.

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