Faslodex - Ascites

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Pannenkoek
Pannenkoek Member Posts: 4
edited October 2017 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

i have A question about Faslodex. I'm on Faslodex now for 3,5 weeks. Next monday i'm getting my thirt (3) shot. Im Just having 2 shots done now. I'm getting the Faslodex because the Letrozole have failed. The Ascites which i have doesnt react on the Letrozole in 3 months. So, the oncologist put me on Faslodex, but told me yesterday that the Faslodex also not working for me and that the cancer is not hormone sensitieve anymore (that is what she thinks). My question: is it True that the Faslodex have to work for Ascites within 3 weeks? Or is it also possible that it takes longer before i get some result? I find it A really short period. Do I have to wait on Faslodex Or can I stop and doesnt it work? The Ascites is now within this period not getting better. Even A litre more than the second time.

i have Ascites because im having metastasis in my peritoneum from breastcancer.

Sorry for my Englisch, im hollandisch.

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  • blainejennifer
    blainejennifer Member Posts: 1,848
    edited October 2017

    Here in the States, most of us have waited at least three months to see if a hormonal treatment, like Faslodex, will show effect. The AIs take longer than chemotherapies to kick in, as it is a less drastic means of treatment.

    I did very poorly on Letrozole/Ibrance (got my first progression on that protocol), but got 14 months from Faslodex. It is my understanding that there are about three different classes of SERDs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders), and Faslodex is in a different class than Letrozole. So, if you didn't respond to Letrozole, it doesn't mean that you are not going to get a result from the other two classes of SERDs.

    Seems to me, that you've just had the two loading shots of Faslodex, and haven't even had the next month's follow up shot. That's no time at all! So, if you aren't in extreme discomfort, or have galloping cancer, I would talk to your doctor about holding the course for at least three months. Then, let scans help determine whether the treatment is working.

    If you are getting the blood test CA 27-29, it is also a good indicator of treatment progress for ER+ patients, but you do have to correlate its findings with scans before figuring out if it works as a diagnostic indicator for you. For me, they are spot on, but some people here can show normal tumor marker (CA 27-29) results while having a sincere progression.

    Best of luck. At the very least, your doc needs to give you a Very Good explanation as to why she wants to abandon Faslodex. The trick of treatment for us to to get as much time as possible from each protocol, as progression will occur (short of a miraculous cure, and they do occur, but it is easier to win the lottery) - we just want to expand progression-free intervals as much as possible.

    Jennifer

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  • Pannenkoek
    Pannenkoek Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2017

    thank you for your answer.

    The point is that im not having much time to wait. Im having Ascites now for 6 months, im feeling very weak. I find it very short, the 4 weeks. But im not having time to wait at it if its not getting work.

    But its good to hear from you that it is possible that its can going to work after these weeks. Im not sure what to do now.

    Maybe there are more People here Who knows more.

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  • Sadiesservant
    Sadiesservant Member Posts: 1,995
    edited October 2017

    When I was diagnosed with pleural effusion my oncologist started me on chemo first to quickly get the burden of disease under control. As it turned out, the Taxol failed (we tried 3 cycles) but my MO continues to look at chemo and hormonal options if progression takes place. Your doctor may be thinking that you need something like chemo that will act more quickly given your discomfort. I think Xeloda has been effective with others who have ascites.It doesn’t mean that you can’t come back to Faslodex at another time. As Blainejennifer notes it’s too early to know if the Faslodex is working.

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  • cive
    cive Member Posts: 709
    edited October 2017

    I think you are saying that the accumulation of the ascites are the problem.  If so, they could put in a catheter which would allow you and/or your caregiver to drain them at home.  At least it is possible in the U.S..  I was on Ibrance and faslodex for 7 cycles (6 months), before I had a real response.

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  • jackie58
    jackie58 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2017

    I have just started Faslodex and my consultant told me it takes at least 3 months to wor

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  • HLB
    HLB Member Posts: 1,760
    edited October 2017

    It sounds like maybe you need a strong chemo that can work quickly to stop the ascites. Then when things are more under control go back to the faslodex.

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  • Pannenkoek
    Pannenkoek Member Posts: 4
    edited October 2017

    thanks for all the answers! I have seen another oncologist whos telling me that the last punction shows that the cancer is at this moment hormal sesitive, he thinks the Faslodex can go to work.

    Another doctor told me that Ascites is very hard to handle with medication, also with chemo. Works Faslodex for Ascites? Can the Ascites can go away if the Faslodex Works for me?

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