Chemo Plus Radiation -- Questions?

[Ron]

Anyone with lung and brain mets,

I have posted before, that Cyndi’s lung mets have stopped responding to the Taxol. The oncologist had planned to start her on Gemzar Monday but now with the Brain mets too, Gemzar is out.

The question – What chemo are you receiving along with the radiation?

Thanks,
ron

[rose]

When it rains it pours. I had my SRS while on gemzar but what we did is held the dose a week before and a week after. The dose was also reduced by 20% after the rads.

Gemzar is one of the most radiosensitizing chemos available and I was very nervous about it. I did a medline search and found a guy in Texas who has written numerous articles on this and he was the one who suggested holding the dose the week before and after. If you like, I can try and find his e mail but I am not sure if I kept it.

Has Cindy been on navelbine? Xeloda?

There have been a few promising studies about xeloda and brain mets. Apparently, xeloda does seem to cross the blood brain barrier to some degree and there have been a few cases of complete responses in the brain to xeloda. During radiation, the blood brain barrier is leaky so this is an ideal time to take it as well. I remained on my xeloda during my rads without any problem. ( I am on gemzar and xeloda combo )

Hang in there, Ron and Cyndi. We are all behind you!

[rose]

The doctor who has studied chemosensitzation and gemzar with rads is Dr TS Lawrence at the U. of Michigan. If you go to Entrez pub med and do a medline search, his name will come up. He lists his e mail at the top of some of his articles.

Best of luck,
Rose

[Jackie]

I have been on gemzar since Feb and have just developed brain mets. My rad/onc has me off chemo for 3 wks prior to the radiation procedure because of the radiosensitivity issue. Don't know yet whether I will go back to full dose gemzar immediately or not since we haven't talked about that yet. Best of luck to Cyndi and you!
Jackie