Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?

farrell77 wrote:

> "J" <Hiss-ss-ss@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:42A5FAD8.344B60BF@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > farrell77 wrote:
> >
> > > "Steph" <steph@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > news:yttne.1538978$6l.772567@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > > >
> > > > "farrell77" <farrell77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > > > news:Ifone.503$Wk4.11300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > > > > Can anyone provide references or data that could help persuade an
> > > > > insurance
> > > > > company to pay for oxaliplatin to treat cholangiocarcinoma?
> Insurance
> > > > > claims have been denied, apparently on grounds that this is not a
> standard
> > >
> > > > > treatment. Thanks.
> > > > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > What do you expect oxaliplatin to achieve?
> > >
> > > Options and time are running short, and it's been suggested by several
> > > doctors
> > > (as a treatment for my brother).
> > >
> > > Here's one abstract I received from a doctor at a major cancer center:
> > >
> > > A phase II study of Oxaliplatin (O) and Gemcitabine (G) first line
> > > chemotherapy
> > > in patients with advanced biliary tract cancers. Abstract No: 4132
> >
> > It's a small trial and first line Phase II - presumably your brother's
> had
> > other treatments? Including gemcitabine (Gemzar) ?
>
> Yes. Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and
> capecitabine. A scan after the first few cycles in
> December showed some tumor reduction. A scan
> in April after the eight cycles were completed showed
> stabilization but no further reduction. So two additional
> cycles of the same drugs were used. Now he's on
> cisplatin (rather than oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine.
>
> > http://www.cancerguide.org/small_trial_stats.html
> > Why Good Results From Small Trials Often Don't Pan Out
>
> Interesting.
>
> > It's been in Phase III (palliative) for 2 years now for pancreatic; a
> cancer
> > that usually carries a similar prognosis.
> > http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00075452
> > This randomized phase III trial is studying gemcitabine and oxaliplatin to
> see
> > how well they work compared to gemcitabine alone in treating patients with
> > locally advanced or metastatic unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
> >
> > How is your brother, Bob?
> > J
>
> Okay last week when we spoke on the phone
> (thanks for asking). But he obviously faces a very
> difficult situation.

Thanks for replying. I was looking to find out if he has symptoms (that a chemo
might help more than hurt).

When cure is no longer possible, we often post Steph's questions to ask.
Please see http://tinyurl.com/4akk6 for his algorithm about treatment decisions
I know it's hard to be dispassionate and objective when it's our loved ones.

Here's another one about chemotherapy that you may not wish to read, but should
be made aware of
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.support.cancer/msg/4befa08191d468b3

Having the above and some grasp of tumor cell shedding, doubling times/tumor
growth, clones and chemo resistant clones might also help.
I would suggest that you look for a text.
I think it's called "Principles and Practise of Oncology" by De Vita
That way you and your brother can have an understanding and make decisions based
on facts.
I realize only your brother can make his decision as to whether he wants to go
for it, in the face of perhaps toxicities or whether he wants to focus on other
things that he would rather do with the rest of his life/quality of life issues.

You'll both be in my thoughts.
Post anytime or join us on alt.support.cancer
I'll watch for yuor updates on either newsgroup
J


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?
    ... Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and ... >> cisplatin and gemcitabine. ... I presume that the chemo drugs aggravate, ... extend his life and inprove life quality over the longer run. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
  • Re: Use of Oxaliplatin for Cholangiocarcinoma?
    ... >> Here's one abstract I received from a doctor at a major cancer center: ... Including gemcitabine? ... Eight three-week cycles of gemcitabine and ... cisplatin (rather than oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine. ...
    (sci.med.diseases.cancer)
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