massive chemo treatment when all else has failed

My husband's condition has worsened. At 100 days post transplant his bone marrow biopsy was at 17%. He was at 31% a year ago. His micro 2 beta globulin started at 5.6. It is now at 14. His blood work is a mess but the good thing is , his organs have not been compromised. His bone marrow biopsy taken this week showed more than 90% myeloma. The transplant took place March14, 2007. He is now on dex only. They can.t give him the second cycle of velcade because his blood has not recovered. Next week he will be going in the hospital for 5 days. During this time they will give him 4 different types of chemo. They are cisplatin, cytoxan, etopiside and doxoruicin. These are typically given for other types of cancer. After that he will be on a thal/dex regiman and then repeat again next month. They said there is a 30% chance of full remmission. Without this treatmeant he would probably only have one to two months. With the treatment he could buy a year or more. His disease is very aggressive. He has the 13q delision, whatever that is. The downside to all this is the treatment is very risky and could end his life too. Any treatment is a risk though. His attitude is good though  and he is feeling good for the most part. The pain is bad at times though. Has anyone else had this treatment or heard of it before. They  said if he achieves remmission the will treat it as a chronic disease.I would appreciate any imput. My stomache is in knots at this point.

Linda

The 13q deletion might be referring to a chromosome disorder (genetic) which could play some part in the outcome prognosis of myeloma.

I'm assuming he had an auto-transplant from his own stem cells? Could he be a candidate for a stem cell transplant from someone else? It is risky, but if it works it can lead to a more permanent remission.

Best regards,

Craig Persel 

Yes, he did have a transplant with his own stem cells. They did mention a donor transplant as being a possibility sometime later. They need to get the myeloma under control first they said. Also he did harvest enough cells for a second transplant. I don't think they are looking at that though. I do know he is going to be very weak and sick when they give him all this poison. Hopefully it will work. I hjave never heard of this regimen before though. It is a little scarry but everything is with this disease because there is no set treatment. What works for one may not work for another. I guess I better put my battle gear on because I hear it is bruttle. I will keep everyone posted.

Linda

My wife also has myeloma and ... yes ... everyone with myeloma is quite unique and responds differently. As you say - that is the difficulty. However, my wife has done extremely well for nearly 1 year with minimal medication and very intensive homeopathic and naturaopathic protocols. She has been able to protect her body and stay functional and healthy. Standard medical practice is doing a great disservice to people with cancer in not integrating alternative treatment options. It is - in my opinion - a very mechanical, limited and non-patient centered approach to illness.

Regards and the very best to you and your family,

Craig Persel

Hi Linda,

 My sister Denys has a "very agressive" form of MM.  She was diagnosed last August 2006.

The Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa put her on Revilimid.  She didn't acheive any remission, her cancer only came down to 20%. The oncolgist referred her to UAMS in Arkansas where she underwent a stem cell transplant.  My sister was able to make quite a lot of stem cells.  She had the transplant in June of this year, this treatment failed as well. She has just begun Velcade.  Today was her second time taking this chemo, along with Dex.  She hates Dex and I hate it the way it makes her crazy. My sister hallucinates ALLOT.  It is very scary for me , I am her younger sister , Denys is 55yrs old. She is always out of it, this morning she fell.  I know her balance is off from all the meds she is on, expecially Oxycotton.

We will do the 21 day cycle of Velcade.  If this fails we don't know what they next option would be. She is running out of options and time.  My sister is so thin and emiciated.  This is not the sister I remember anymore. She is always in bone pain.  I will keep checking Cancer Compass to see how your husband makes out.  I will pray for him and your family. This cancer is a nightmare.  My sister feels like she is walking dead.  I hope this works for her!!

Hang in there.

God Bless,

Susan 

Your sister's case sounds so much like my husband's. I do hope she has more success with the val/dex than he did. She will be in my prayers. As long as her wbc doesn't drop too low and the platlets stay up she will be able to continue. What they are going to start my husband on I have never heard of but if it works I will be the first to let you know. Please keep me posted on your sister. I know the road ahead is going to be tough for all of us. It is just so sad at such a young age this has to happen. My husband was diagnosed last September. I have to say after this your life is never the same and never will be again. We just need to stay strong. I know, easier said than done. Good luck withe val/dex

Linda