Any TN-er's out there doing Gemzar and Carboplatin?

Options
Dorian
Dorian Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer


I was recently diagnosed with a new primary TN tumor 13 years after an initial diagnosis and treatment for triple positive breast cancer. I am receving neoadjuvant therapy with Gemzar and carboplatin. I just finished my first two rounds of G/C. If you have experienced this treatment regimen, how many rounds did you have and was it followed by surgery and RT? I'm really hoping to avoid surgery--the tumor is "inseperable" from my pectoral muscle and removing it would be disfiguring and would result in disability. I'm also hoping to avoid radiation because the area has been radiated once before. Basically, I'm just looking for anyone who has been in this particular therapeutic situation. Thanks, folks.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • RandG
    RandG Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2013


    Hi Dorian,


    My name is Rose and I was just diagnosed for the 4th time with breast cancer, but this time it is stage IV. I am BRCA1 positive and TN each time! My onco has suggested the carboplatin/gemzar regiment for me, as there is not much else that they have for us TNBCer's. My mets went to my lung, was less than 1cm, but there is micro-vascular invasion. I am getting a 2nd and maybe a 3rd opinion next week. I would be happy to share my findings with you if you are interested. Let me know!


    Good Luck!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovieLovie
    LovieLovie Member Posts: 68
    edited November 2013


    Hi RandG,


    I hope you will find this interesting. I went thru a series of Carbo/Gemzar with not a lot of response, however, my onc switched me over to Irrenotecan/Cisplatin and my cancer antigen numbers have dropped significantly. One of my markers is 'normal' and the other has dropped significantly. I went on this site when the onc talked about this chemo combo and could not find any information. Come to find out that irrenotecan is generally used for colon cancer but may have good response for triple negatives when used with a low dose of Cisplatin, however, there is no incentive for drug manufactures to be testing this as both of these chemos are now generic. Hmmm.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dorian
    Dorian Member Posts: 25
    edited November 2013


    This is very interesting, LovieLovie. I'm currently on my 4th round of Gemzar/Carbo and although my MO said he was going to schedule me for another scan soon to see how things are going, my gut feeling is that not much is happening. I'll ask him about the Irrenotecan/Cisplatin.


    RandG, you say this is the fourth time you have been diagnosed with TNBC. What sort of treatment did you get before? My previous diagnosis (3 years ago) was triple positive, so this is my first time with TN and I'm not really familiar with the treatment regimens.


    Best to both of you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sherbab
    sherbab Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2013


    I can't offer any advice but I was happy to see this thread. I start my Carboplatin / Gemzar combo tomorrow. I was on Taxotere and Xeloda but my PET scan on Monday showed a new tumor and my tumor we were treating doubled in size in about 4 weeks. So I am definitely interested in the experiences everyone has had.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpiritBlessing
    SpiritBlessing Member Posts: 584
    edited November 2013


    Hi Ladies,


    Just checking this board to see if it is something that is active and can be a place to call home. I am also TN and will be starting my treatment tomorrow. I am starting a clinical trial at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and really praying this is going to do the trick.


    I am starting with Abraxane and Avastin as my cocktail mix. Anyone have experience with these drugs or have you heard about them?


    Initially I was going to be on A/C and then Taxol but then we found a tumor on the lung so that changed everything and took it up a few notches.


    I initially started on a different board but as I my diagnosis changed I felt it was best to find a board that would be more specific to what I am dealing with.


    Hope all had a great weekend and hope to see someone respond soon.


    Thanks

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dorian
    Dorian Member Posts: 25
    edited November 2013


    I hope it's active and am glad to see you here. I am Christine (aka Dorian) who started this thread. I was diagnosed with TN in September and am about to start my fourth round of Gemzar/Carboplatin. I'm tolerating it fairly well but am hoping to get a follow-up scan soon so I can find out whether or not it is working. If not, I am going to get a second opinion at Dana Farber in Boston. I look forward to being able to post my results here and hear how you are all doing.


    I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving but hope you all enjoy the holiday and look forward to comparing our experiences!


    All the best,


    Christine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sherbab
    sherbab Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2013


    Christine, I am very glad you started this and we can all chat! I too am looking for a home as Spirit mentioned. Obviously none of us want to be here but since we are I am glad we are finding each other. My TN came with my initial diagnosis in June 2012 and with my recurrance we don't know because they are trying to treat my tumors before any surgery. I am also going for a second opinion at MD Anderson in Houston, the request has been made just not sure when they can get me in. The holidays always make for fun appointment scheduling.


    Everyone have a great holiday week.


    Sherri

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dorian
    Dorian Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2013


    A belated happy Thanksgiving, ladies. Let us all give thanks for our lives and the lives of those we love.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovieLovie
    LovieLovie Member Posts: 68
    edited December 2013


    Hi Gang, Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I just got my PET scan results and they were good. Finished chemo yesterday (I hope). Cancer antigen numbers continue to drop. I wanted to pass on a little nugget I picked up from my onc today. I guess Irrenotecan is not on the 'breast cancer approved drug list' for most insurance companies but your onc can petition to used it if they site studies that show positive results. Only 1 insurance company has refused to accept this (don't know which one). It sounds like persistence is everything. Love, Love, Love my oncologist! Wishing success for all my sisters.


    PS. I should note that the nurses call this chemo 'I run to the can' as it can trigger loose bowels. I used a modified Brat diet (bananas, rice, applesauce & white toast) no high fiber foods at all for about the first 4-5 days after chemo and didn't let that horse out of the gate!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dorian
    Dorian Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2013


    Congratulations on the good PET scan results, LovieLovie. I'm having my next PET scan a week from tomorrow. Wish me luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories