Stable disease = unstable mind

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mazie73
mazie73 Member Posts: 74
edited August 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hi all,

I'm currently on a clinical trial, taking Abemaciclib, Faslodex and a Pi3k inhibitor. Three scans showed consistent improvement — the clinical trial folks measured a 56 percent reduction in tumor size. But, the last scan showed stable disease. My oncologist was happy with those results, as was my clinical trial coordinator. But, I'm not happy. I'm worried that this is evidence the medication has stopped working and we'll see disease progression on the next scan. My oncologist explained that this likely isn't the case, and that she has patients whose results will show stable disease for years. I'm still freaking out.

Any advice? I'm seeing a therapist at my cancer center, and I have an appointment tomorrow. I'm sure she'll tell me that this is another example of my tendency toward catastrophic thinking.

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  • jamiemarie
    jamiemarie Member Posts: 73
    edited August 2017

    Hi Mazie, I've had further reductions in tumors after scans showing stable disease. So I wouldn't believe that stable automatically means the next step is progression!

    But stable is really a great thing! As you mention, people can be stable for years. And if you're stable, the status quo is working and thats something to celebrate. But I do remember being a little disappointed too the first time I was "just" stable - I wanted everything gone!

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  • mazie73
    mazie73 Member Posts: 74
    edited August 2017

    Thank you jamiemarie! Your note made me feel a lot better. It's one thing to hear it from the doctor, another to hear it from someone who's experienced it.

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited August 2017

    I think it's great that you are stable. I really think that sometimes no matter what our scans indicate we can turn the results around to be in a scary place, cause frankly we are. Try to concentrate on the good and live enjoying the moment. Right now, you are stable, a great place to be. I'm praying you stay there for a very long time. Wishing

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited August 2017

    mazie, stable is good. What are you going for, regression, no evidence of disease? You may still get that. I have had stable scan results, sometimes it says no evidence of disease, once it even said regression, all over the course of six plus years. Your treatment is working. Stable is a great place to be.


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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited August 2017

    Mazie- I like your trial a lot. Abemacyclib looks to be better than Ibrance, plus we all need the PI3K to push down resistance further. Which PI3K inhibitor do you get, and what clinical trial is this anyway? Are you certain you get all three, and what side effects are you seeing?

    I can't comment on the freaking out, but tell your brain to just cut it out!!!

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