? new drug for cancer
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Topic: ? new drug for cancer
Posted By: janinvan
Subject: ? new drug for cancer
Date Posted: Aug 26 2009 at 8:55am
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Connie, Steve, and everyone else:
Has anyone heard about a ..once -a month medication called Calex or Cafex? (I'll find out more specific info)
A renowned independent oncologist here and in Canada.. (not part of cancer agency)- is starting to use this.....
Although it's not appropriate for me NOW....interesting.....
JANICE
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Replies:
Posted By: Nancy
Date Posted: Aug 26 2009 at 5:50pm
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Janice,
Here is a link to this drug. The name is Caelyx.
Hugs,
Nancy
http://www.mombu.com/medicine/cancer/t-new-chemotherapy-drug-reduces-hair-loss-in-80-of-breast-cancer-patients-3039191.html - http://www.mombu.com/medicine/cancer/t-new-chemotherapy-drug-reduces-hair-loss-in-80-of-breast-cancer-patients-3039191.html
-------------
Nancy
DD Lori dx TNBC June 13,2007
Lumpectomy due to incorrect dx of a cyst
mastectomy July 6 2007
chemo ACT all 3 every 3 weeks 6 tx Aug-Nov
28 rads ended Jan 2008
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Posted By: cg---
Date Posted: Aug 26 2009 at 7:53pm
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Dear Jan,
They use it in the States - called Doxil much more frequently than the Caelyx here. It is a different form of adriamycin.
Caelyx is under the EMERGENT drug category for metastatic breast cancer - not accepted as standard of care but may be.
Please keep me posted if they are starting to use it regularly in the metastatic setting. I know it was approved for ovarian cancer back in 2007.
Love,
Connie
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Posted By: janinvan
Date Posted: Aug 27 2009 at 9:04am
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Nancy, Connie,and everyone else:
Thanks re your Caelyx info....
From your experience..(my CA 15-3 blood tumor marker usually correlates to MY condition...approx. 60 at diagnosis /recurrence ...then reduces......before-- to 17 in 1997...and then to 26 earlier in 2009)
Have you experienced a correlation? Is 29 the "average" ?
One oncologist told a patient that anything above 0 indicates cancer, etc.
WHY haven't they accomplished some universal number/norm for it ?
I realize that it's extremely complex!
Is one type of breast cancer more linked to it?
JANICE
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Posted By: cg---
Date Posted: Aug 27 2009 at 3:07pm
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Dear Jan,
Tumor markers seem to be done routinely in B.C. I have yet to have a tumor marker done. Two years after diagnosis and I do not even get routine blood work at my follow-up visits -
Most oncologists and centers feel that they are very unreliable because the change in values can be affected by many things.
First, you have to have an established baseline and then you have to watch a trend over more than 3 months to establish 'your pattern'. Anything under 37 is normal (these values vary from laboratory to laboratory).
There are women that can predict what is going on based on in their bodies by their tumor markers rising just a few points and there are other women with perfectly normal or low normal tumor markers and have their tumors on the move throughout their body!
Connie
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Posted By: janinvan
Date Posted: Aug 28 2009 at 3:30pm
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Connie, thanks for your reply!
My CA 15-3 usually correlates to my condition!
However, other women (it seems with less serious situations)..don't even know about the marker!
BUT I think that expert physical examination follow-ups of the affected area are so important. (or ultrasound/scans if appropriate).
Is there a system in place for certain recommended scans, etc. ?
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Posted By: cwrightrn
Date Posted: Aug 28 2009 at 4:03pm
I haven't heard of the CA 15-3, my Dr drew the Ca 27-29 and its normal is under 40. This tumor marker is more indicative of mets although there are many false positives and some who have mets never have a high reading. Most Dr's may follow the trend of the numbers but some don't even draw tumor markers for breast cancer because they are not as reliable as those for ovarian cancer.
-------------
We are a family of FAITH, HOPE and LOVE
DX 2/09 IBC, stage IIIB, 6/15 nodes, TN, BRCA-: 1/10-stage IV, mets to mediastinal nodes, 4/10 skin mets recurrence
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Posted By: cg---
Date Posted: Aug 28 2009 at 4:11pm
What to Know: ASCO's Guideline on Follow-Up Care for Breast Cancer
Introduction
Key Points:
- Follow-up care for breast cancer includes coping with side effects of treatment and lowering the risk of recurrence.
- ASCO’s recommendations for follow-up care include regular visits to your doctor and mammographies.
- People with breast cancer should talk with their doctors about a follow-up care plan and how to coordinate this care between the oncologist and their primary care or family doctor.
To help doctors give their patients the best possible care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) asks its medical experts to develop recommendations for specific areas of cancer care. ASCO developed a clinical practice guideline about follow-up care for breast cancer. This guide for patients is based on ASCO's recommendations.
As you read this guide, please keep in mind that every person treated for cancer is different. These recommendations are not meant to replace your judgment or that of your doctor. The final decisions you and your doctors make will be based on your individual circumstances. Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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Recommendations
The purpose of follow-up care for breast cancer is to help maintain good health after treatment, which includes coping with the side effects of treatment, reducing the risk of recurrence (return of the cancer), and watching for signs of recurrence. ASCO's recommendations for breast cancer follow-up care are listed below.
Table. Recommendations for Follow-Up Care for Breast Cancer
|
Follow-Up Care Test |
Recommendation |
| Medical history and physical examination |
Visit your doctor every three to six months for the first three years after the first treatment, every six to 12 months for years four and five, and every year thereafter. |
| Post-treatment mammography |
Schedule a mammogram one year after your first mammogram that led to diagnosis, but no earlier than six months after radiation therapy. Obtain a mammogram every six to 12 months thereafter. |
| Breast self-examination |
Perform a breast self-examination every month. This procedure is not a substitute for a mammogram. |
| Pelvic examination |
Continue to visit a gynecologist regularly. Women taking tamoxifen should report any vaginal bleeding to their doctor. |
| Coordination of care |
About a year after diagnosis, you may continue to visit your oncologist or transfer your care to a primary care doctor. Women receiving hormone therapy should talk with their oncologist about how often to schedule follow-up visits for re-evaluation of their treatment. |
| Genetic counseling referral |
Tell your doctor if there is a history of cancer in your family. The following risk factors may indicate that breast cancer could run in the family:
- Ashkenazi Jewish heritage
- Personal or family history of ovarian cancer
- Any first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50
- Two or more first-degree or second-degree relatives (grandparent, aunt, uncle) diagnosed with breast cancer
- Personal or family history of breast cancer in both breasts
- History of breast cancer in a male relative
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Most breast cancer recurrences are discovered by patients between doctor visits. Tell your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
- New lumps in the breast
- Bone pain
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Persistent headaches
- Persistent coughing
- Rash on breast
- Nipple discharge (liquid coming from the nipple)
The following tests are not currently recommended by ASCO for regular follow-up care because they have not been shown to lengthen the life of a person with breast cancer:
- A complete blood count (CBC) test and liver and kidney function tests
- Chest x-ray
- Bone scan
- Liver ultrasound
- Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
- Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan
- Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test
- Breast cancer tumor markers, such as CA 15-3, CA 27.29, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Learn more about http://www.cancer.net/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=be3784da6c3a5110VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vgnextchannel=505a03e8448d9010VgnVCM100000f2730ad1RCRD - ASCO’s recommendations for tumor markers for breast cancer .
Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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What This Means for Patients
The recommendations for follow-up care for breast cancer include regular physical examinations, mammograms, and breast self-examinations. The follow-up care may be provided by your oncologist or primary care doctor, as long as your primary care doctor has communicated with your oncologist about appropriate follow-up care. In addition, patients with a possible or known family history of breast cancer should be referred to a genetic counselor. Use these guidelines to talk with your doctor about an appropriate follow-up care plan for you. Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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Questions to Ask the Doctor
To learn more about follow-up care for breast cancer, consider asking your doctor the following questions:
- What follow-up care plan would you recommend for me?
- What is the risk that the cancer will recur?
- Based on my personal and family medical history, do I need a referral to a genetic counselor?
- Where can I find more information about follow-up care?
For women receiving hormone therapy:
- Are there any additional symptoms I should watch for?
- What side effects are common with this treatment?
- How often should I schedule additional follow-up visits with the oncologist?
Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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Helpful Links
Read the entire clinical practice guideline published in the http://www.jco.org/cgi/reprint/JCO.2006.08.8575v1 - November 1, 2006 Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) .
http://www.cancer.net/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c532ea97a56d9010VgnVCM100000f2730ad1RCRD - Guide to Breast Cancer
http://www.cancer.net/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=108894b14d005110VgnVCM100000ed730ad1STFL&vgnextchannel=eb6d4da88235e010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD - Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Plan
http://www.cancer.net/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c68241eca8daa010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vgnextchannel=f6b1ea97a56d9010VgnVCM100000f2730ad1RCRD - Genetics of Breast Cancer
http://www.cancer.net/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=27d541eca8daa010VgnVCM100000ed730ad1RCRD&vgnextchannel=646f565d4969a010VgnVCM100000f2730ad1RCRD - What to Expect When Meeting With a Genetics Counselor Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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Resources
Good cancer care starts with good cancer information. Well-informed patients are their own best advocates, and invaluable partners for physicians. ASCO’s patient website, Cancer.Net, brings the expertise and resources of the world’s cancer physicians to people living with cancer and those who care for and care about them. ASCO is composed of more than 27,000 oncologists globally who are the leaders in advancing cancer care. All the information and content on Cancer.Net was developed and approved by the cancer doctors who are members of ASCO, making Cancer.Net the most up-to-date and trusted resource for cancer information on the Internet. Cancer.Net is made possible by The ASCO Cancer Foundation, which provides funding for cutting-edge cancer research, professional education, and patient and family support. People in search of cancer information can feel secure knowing that the programs supported by The ASCO Cancer Foundation provide the most thorough, accurate, and up-to-date cancer information found anywhere.
Visit Cancer.Net to find guides on more than 120 types of cancer and cancer-related syndromes, clinical trials information, coping resources, information on managing side effects, medical illustrations, cancer information in Spanish, podcasts, the latest cancer news, and much more. For more information about ASCO’s patient information resources, call toll free 888-651-3038. Last Updated: June 30, 2009
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Posted By: janinvan
Date Posted: Aug 29 2009 at 12:19pm
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Thanks, everyone's terrific....but I'm also referring to the expertise of a physical exam (looking/touching) of the masectomy site in the event of recurrence to the chest wall, etc......(swelling/fullness)
ALSO go to breastcancer.org and add to one of the tnbc posts to blog OPRAH
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