Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Bordentown, NJ
Rectal Cancer Chemo Question Posted: 02-27-07 09:55am
Hi,
On 11/15/06, I was diagnosed rectal
Cancer after a colonoscopy. I am a 39
year old male, in otherwise good health.
On 12/1/06, I had a lower anterial
rescection (sp?), with a temp diverting
illiostomy. The surgeon was confident
with removing the entire mass. There was
no metastisis, but cancer cells found in
two of ten lymph nodes. It was grades as
Dukes Stage C.
I started chemo on 1/1/07, Xeloda for two
week on cycles, and Oxiliplaten once a
week. This will go on for 6 months. I am
also going through radiation, I am on
treatment 21 of 30. I feel fine, with low
occurances of side effects, and I am back
to light workouts, and have returned to
work.
My Question. After radiation, my med.
oncologist wants to start Avastin. Cost
is not a concern as it is covered by my
insurance. Is this drug worthwhile? All
my research indicates it is for people
with metastised tumors. My main concern
is the low occurance of GI problems with
avastin. I don't want any problems
getting this illiostomy reversed.
My med. Onc. indicated that without
adjudant therapy my chance of recurrance
was 50/50. With radiation and chemo, less
than 20%. Will the Avastin make a
difference?
TIA
Dave in NJ
Bassithound
|
critical care RN
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 92
Posted: 03-01-07 20:12pm
This type of treatment is normal and
fairly routine. It's like taking an
antibiotic before surgery. Just to cover
all bases. I would suggest continuing with
the treatment suggested by your
oncologist.
|
bassithound
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Bordentown, NJ
Posted: 03-07-07 12:27pm
I understand the Xeloda/Oxiliplaten plus
radiation is routine. I can't find any
info to show avastin is routine for
adjutant therapy for Stage C, even the
Avastin web site does not list my stage as
a candidate. I'm meeting with the onc on
friday to discuss this option.
Dave
