What can you tell me about Carboplatin, Abtaxan & Avastin!

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June68
June68 Member Posts: 28
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

After pathology from my hysterectomy came back (both ovaries positive for cancer cells, everying else was clean) I'm going to be starting chemo again (after being treated last year with Cytoxan & Taxol) and it's a new chemo cocktail...can anybody tell me what to expect? I know I'm going in weekly this time, but am waiting to hear when I start and what I get first. Just trying to prepare myself so I apprecaite any input you can give me.

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  • LindaLou53
    LindaLou53 Member Posts: 929
    edited January 2009

    Hi Myersco,

    Sorry I don't have any experience with those particular chemo drugs you mention but I think you might get more responses on the Recurrences forum if you post there.  I did want to make one suggestion though.  Are you currently taking an Aromatase Inhibitor and has your onc mentioned the possibility of IV Zometa to you?

    I only mention this because the latest research news is showing very positive results with IV Zometa reducing the recurrence rate of breast cancer.  Zometa is not a chemo but is a Bisphosphonate which is used to strengthen bones and has been used historically for osteoporosis and women who already have Stage IV bone mets.  The latest studies are now showing Zometa to be effective in reducing mets/recurrence rates in 35% of women with Stage 1, 2 and Stage 3 locally advanced breast cancer. 

    I have been on Zometa since Aug 2006 and just passed my 3 year anniversary this past December of being NED, having originally had 23/23 nodes positive. They are now recommending that Zometa be started in combination with chemotherapy for an increased synergistic effect. 

    I am sorry to hear about your cancer being found in the ovaries but am very hopeful that it was a good thing to find it so early and have the surgery to remove them.  I hope the planned chemo regimen totally eliminates any stray cells wandering around, but thought you might want to discuss the possibility of Zometa with your onc.

    Here are also some articles you might want to read:

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/132761.php 

    http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/121720.php 

    http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=95121

    Also Lobular cancer responds very positively to the Aromatase inhibitors. Latest studies show the Aromatase inhibitors to be slightly more effective than Tamoxifen.  I have been on Aromasin since April 2006 and find the SE's to be tolerable.

    I hope you get more response here to your specific questions on chemo, but again you might try reposting your question in either the Recurrences or Stage III forums.  Lots of ladies there have experience with a variety of chemo regimens.

    Best wishes.

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  • mason204
    mason204 Member Posts: 570
    edited January 2009

    I'm currently on Abraxane and Herceptin.  Not a difficult combo but I did have hair loss and am "slow moving" for a few days afterwards.  This combo doesn't require pre-meds so I receive none of the SEs from the steriods, which makes a huge difference.  It looks like I'll be adding carboplatin to the mix on Tuesday as my ovaries are not responding and they suspect some ovarian cancer activity.  So, we'll be on a similar protocol.  My onc says she probably won't give me pre-meds when she adds carbo (as I think it's more common with HCT because of the taxotere component). 

    Best wishes

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  • June68
    June68 Member Posts: 28
    edited January 2009

    LindaLouu, thank you for the info. My Onc did tell me about Zometa, but becuase I don't have osterperosis, the insurance wont cover the costs..amazing I know! I will have to ask her about the Aromasin, so thank you for that.

    June

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