Chemo Therapy Choice (BEP vs. EP)

[Dylan]

Hello

Site looks like just what I'm looking for....

I am 25 years old and I have been diagnosed with stage II non-seminoma, mix of embryonal, choriocarcinoma and yolk sac. The good news is only 2 nodes affected, approx. 2cm. enlarged and low HCG level (2.4) which put me in the "good" or "low risk" category.

My concern is over the use of bleomycin in my chemo protocol. I'm a scuba diver and athlete and don't want these to be compromised when I get through all this in ship-shape (which of course I will). I've been given the option of 4xEP vs. the 3xBEP regimen so decided to take it.

I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that this is an acceptable treatment option and if there is anyone else who has had this experience and can shed light on any adverse side effects with the more cumulative treatment.

I'm suppose to start treatment on Mon. Dec. 12 so hope to hear from someone before that time.

Thanks soooooo much for taking the time to read this. Much appreciated!!!

Dylan

[Jens]

Hi Dylan.

4 EP is just as efficiant as 3 BEP.
You avoid the Bleomycin sideeffects and get to go scuba diving again.
You may, however, have a little extra of the Etoposide and Cisplatin sideeffects. Imho a longterm consideration.
There is a lot to read, I found these 2 articles usefull.
Link 1
Link 2

Best wishes
Jens

[Dylan]

Thanks

Jens

Thanks for your response. I've had a lot now already as I posted in the chemo treatment forum as well. Already feeling much better about my decision. This place is terrific and just what I needed. I've been trying to research and found a lot of on-line journals but wanted "real life" opinions to back it up....and I got it.

Thanks again. Will keep you updated as I go.

Kindest Regards,
Dylan

[Scott]

I'm supposed to start treatment on Mon. Dec. 12...

Best wishes as your chemotherapy begins, Dylan.

[dadmo]

Dylan:
Good luck today. The cycles will pass by quicker then you think.

[Don]

Take your treatments one day at a time. Try not to look ahead at what is coming up--focus on winning the battle day by day and soon enough you WILL win the war!!!!! Best of Luck!!!!!! DON!!!!

[carpla]

Dylan, my husband had 4 rounds of the VIP therapy and as far as after-effects go, he was pretty lucky. He has some neuropathy in both his feet and he is still on a maintenance dosage of Coumadin due to blood clots he developed between the 1st and 2nd cycles, but other than that, everything is good. Although chemo is no picnic, his AFP levels consistently dropped with every cycle and that was very encouraging. His nausea and vomiting were pretty bad during the chemo, but after about a week post-chemo, his appetite would return full force, so he would lose, then gain, then lose again when the next cycle began, so his weight yo-yo'ed pretty good. The most important thing is to stay hydrated!!!!!! Your kidneys need to be flushed out as much as possible and of course, you'll need the fluids to maintain your body chemistries, especially if you have severe vomiting, like my husband did. I know the next several weeks will probably seem like the worst and the longest of your life (I know they did for us), but it will be over soon and you'll be healthy again, so hang in there! By the way, my husband is also a diver and while he was going through some particularly bad days during chemo, he would close his eyes and imagine himself diving in Hawaii again and he said it really helped him to relax--maybe it will work for you too! Best of luck to you--it'll be over before you know it!