Avastin For Ovarian Cancer

I am a 43 year old with metastatic ovarian cancer that has spread to areas around the abdomen/pelvis and lungs.   I was previously treated with carboplatnin and doxel, then topotekan (hycamptin).  Now my oncologist wants to try Avastin.  My surgeon/oncologist told me that Avastin should be combined with another chemo drug such as Gemsar.  
Has anyone here used Avastin?  From what I gather, it's mainly used to treat colon cancers, but some success has been found in it's use for ovarian.  Thanks!

On 4/16/2008 serenee wrote:

Hi,I am currently undergoing chemo for my ovarian cancer. Like you, I hv mestasis to the spleen, lungs and pelvic region. I completed my 6 cycles earlier this month and hv just started an additional cycle with Avastin. I hv one more cycle with Keratin. According to my oncologist, chemo + Avastin will increase my chance of a care by 50%. I am looking forward to complete my treatment and I really hope my scans will be clear by then.

I have(had..?) stage 4 colon cancer I found out Aug.04 and being told I only had 3-6 months and to "get my affairs in order" I was treated with Avastin along with some others and right now 4 years later I'm doing pretty darn good.I have had a VERY TUFF last few years but, I'm still here!! And I am NOT currently doing any treatment! When I found out,I told them to throw whatever they had at me to make me well! I guess it worked! I would most definitely would try the AVASTIN! I don't remember any "awful" side effects from this one,I did (and still do have, awful nerve pain from"OXALAPLATIN"but I would still do that one again too!) I have found the best way to avoid "side effects" is to have someone else learn the side effects and not tell you.I don't know about you,but if someone says I "MIGHT" get a side effect from something, my good ol brain starts looking and waiting for it!! LOL  If you don't know them its hard to look for them and if someone else knows them,they can tell you "if" you do start having symptoms if they are normal. take care

Hi,

My apologies - I meant Avastin and not Keratin (the grammer checker was at fault).

So far, I have not noticeable side effects. But Avastin was given to me from my 5th cycle, according to my doctor,this was to avoid intestinal/bowel peforations since I have had a major surgery. The avastin was given to me with my regular chemo.

Dx with intrahepatic bile duct cancer with mets stage 4 october 2006.   Started on gemzar and xeloda.  Three weeks ago we added Avastin.  No side effects noted.  Gemzar is given over 30 minutes and Avastin over 90 minutes for your first dose.