Avastin + Chemo treatment for Liver Cancer

jennya · New User Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Scotland

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer 3 years ago and this was removed but it spread to his liver. He has had part of his liver removed and seemed to be on the road to recovery. However, earlier this year he had a CAT scan and then a Pet scan which showed some new lesions.

The oncologist recommended a course of chemo with this new drug Avastin. We thought he only had to undergo 6 treatments and have a scan but now the doctor says he has to have another 6 and I am getting the impression that he is just another number on this consultants list of invoices.

He is going through hell and I am stuck in another country so can't speak to the doctor directly and he doesn't ask questions thus the vague level of detail.
Does anyone know what the standard treatment course would be i.e. 6 - 12? Does anyone know the success rate?
I'm sick of not getting any detail from my father but he seems to be totally overwhelmed by people in white coats and doesn't want to bother them with his questions. HELP!
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Jennifer

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

I understand your feeling. As a doctor in Hematology and Oncology I felt overwhelmed trying to understand the "standard of care". Sometimes what is done in case the lesions fail to complete resolve with 6 cycles is to just extend the treatment in hopes of continued response. So I would say the conventional approach is to give 6 cycles and re-evaluate with imaging (a CT and/or PET). If the lesions still persist it is up to the doctor to decide whether to give more or to switch to a different regimen.

best regards,
Dr Leo F
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

MPapailiou

Hi! My mother has lung cancer with liver metastasis.

After trying chemo that didn't work, she has decided to accept one of the alternatives explained by the doctors, which is a new chemo drug, to gether with Avastin. Avastin is suppposed to show good results and extend life in other cancers too - apart from colon cancer.

What happens is that doctors try the drugs on the patient. If the drugs provide results, they go on with the same drug, over and over again. If not, they change the drugs and try again.

My doctor said that there are patients thaking Avastin for many months - years.

Hope this helps,
Mandy

matynne · Regular Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 23

Hi,

Avastin is definitely an FDA approved drug for Colo-rectal carcinomas. It is a anti-angiogenis therapy module. Check this excellent site for more information on treatment of Metastatic colorectal cancers.
http://www.avastin.com/avastin/patBrochure.m
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