Should I take cisplatin as a bonus?

jlee9710

Hi everyone,

I am really torn and would like to ask for any thoughts on my dilemma.  I finished adjuvant 4xAC and 12xTaxol Dec. 10th.  I had asked my onc to give me carboplatin with taxol while I was doing taxol, after reading about Jennifer Griffin, but she didn't want to.  She consulted with Dr Telli at Stanford who mentioned data about cisplatin as a possibility, though not necessarily recommended, and said carbo with taxol is off-study.  So now that I've finished chemo, my onc has said she would give me cisplatin if I'm "really motivated".  I am supposed to start radiation next week.  I haven't had any scans so no known tumors now.  I know I had this cancer at a detectable level for at least a year (bad gyn), and my lymph nodes were large, 4mm and 1cm.  I am BRCA- and studies say chemo in general, including cisplatin, work better for BRCA+.  Should I focus on rebuilding my immune, living healthy, etc, or should I do more chemo just in case first?  Anyone know how bad cisplatin side effects are?  I am dreading it but I don't want to miss this chance too; my mind is spinning in circles...

LRM216

Gosh, I know nothing about Cisplatinum, sorry.  Bumping this up so that maybe someone that has had it can help out.

Wishing you the best,

Linda

Cathy-CA

Cisplatin is similar to Carboplatin, but an older drug.  Normally, the worst day-to-day side effect with Cisplatin is nausea.  However, it can do a number on your blood counts, so if you're already on the low side from finishing other chemos, you might want to take that into account.  Good luck with whatever you decide.

MicheleS

I think you should get a second opinion.  I also think you should have scans before radiation regardless...  But, I'm a scan-addict.