Postby weisssoccermom » Tue Mar 11, 2014 1:26 am
I would ask your onc a question before you make any decision. The 2-3% benefit that your onc mentions, with respect to the stage II patient, usually refers to the addition of oxi to either Xeloda or 5FU. Is that the 2-3% he/she is referring to? If so, there is the option of taking either the Xeloda or 5FU all by itself which does the majority of the work. Let me explain a little further. Too often, when dealing with the stage IIA patient, oncs tend to make the chemo scenario a 'black and white' discussion. It is either FOLFOX or XELOX or nothing.
FOLFOX = 5FU/leucovorin + oxaliplatin
XELOX = Xeloda + oxaliplatin
In simplistic terms, Xeloda is the oral form of 5FU
However, there is another alternative......just the Xeloda or 5FU/leucovorin by itself. Unfortunately, too many oncs don't look at this scenario, even though until 2004, this was the main protocol as oxi wasn't yet approved. So yes, I believe your onc is correct in saying that there is a 2-3% benefit....but that benefit refers to the addition of the oxi, not necessarily some chemo. You might want to ask your onc about doing either Xeloda or 5FU/leucovorin (personally, I'd pick the Xeloda...no port, no infusions, etc.) and see what he/she says.
Jaynee
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
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