Avastin- symptom improvements

Hi,

My mother was diagnosed with GBM4 about 6 months ago, chemo and radio has not worked, so we are hopeing to start on Avastin in the next couple of weeks. She currently sleeps a lot and has very little use of her right side and is wheelchair bound.

Does anyone know, if the avstin works, will it help improve her current state or will it be more likely to keep her as she is just now.

Reply's greatly needed?

Thanks

Andrew

 

I'm in a similar situation. My my was diagnosed with a GBM in Nov07 and is now on Avastin/CPT-11. She had a full resection last year and was on temodar/radiation and then temodar 5/23 until October when her MRI showed enhancement. She's currently using a wheelchair mostly but can stand and walk a bit in a walker. Her left side is very weak though. She hasn't been too tired, except towards the end of the day. Her first Avastin treatment was this week and so far she hasn't had any side effects from it (although its only been a few days). I've heard of people with good responses seeing significant tumor shrinkage in short periods of time when starting this treatment. I believe that alone can lead to improvements in symptoms. 

 

Good Luck!

 

Adam

Avastin along with chemo will work for a while - maybe a year. But it's worth the year. It isn't a cure, but it buys time and improves the quality of life for a bit..

You are so right.  My brother in law is 2 1/2 years living with GBM - did temodar, then did cpt-11 and avastin.  It worked about 13 months. The cancer is now everywhere in his brain and we found out today that the next treatment is gleevec and hydrea - (something like that), but were told to prepare ourselves for the end.  Enjoy every moment that you have with your loved one........