24-03-2006 Blood test results

[TSX]

5 day version:
1. series
day 1: EP
day 2: EP
day 3: BEP
day 4: EP
day 5: E
day 9: B
day 16: B

and so on again...

Normally 3 series (3xBEP = 9 weeks in all) is given, but as you are stage III 4 series may be the right choice.

I think 3xBEP or 4xEP is standard for stage II bulky seminoma or any stage II nonseminoma, and 4xBEP is standard for stage III, right?

By the way, my 3xBEP protocol is slightly different from what you have listed above:

day 1,22,43: EP
day 2,23,44: BEP
day 3,24,45: EP
day 4,25,46: EP
day 5,26,47: EP
day 8,29,50: B
day 15,36,57: B

The only difference is that I get cisplatin over five days, where your listed protocol has it being given over four days. Also, my bleomycin during the second and third weeks of each cycle is moved up by one day to coincide with my oncologist's office hours, such that she can check my blood test results and monitor my breathing prior to giving the OK for the bleo each of those days. I also get a full pulmonary function test at the start of each 21-day cycle, and those results factor into whether to continue with the bleo or not. I was told that adjusting bleo by one day on the second and third weeks of each cycle would not make a difference in the efficacy of the treatment.

I also got a shot of Neulasta on day 6 and day 27 to avoid low WBC problems. Today is day 30 for me, so just over halfway there. The EP days are the worst for me, and those are 2/3 over at this point.

-TSX

[Jens]

Hi Al.

You make perfect sense, you just need some info.

BEP is given in 3 week series.

Week 1 is 3 or 5 days of Etoposide and cisPaltin, and in one of the days also Bleomycin.
Week 2 is one day of Bleomycin
Week 3 is one day of Bleomycin.

This is one series of BEP.

Or put like this (the 3 days version)
1. series
day 1: EP
day 2: BEP
day 3: E
day 9: B
day 16:B

2. series
day 1 (or 22): EP
day 2 (or 23): BEP
day 3 (or 24): E
day 9 (or 30): B
day 16 (or 37): B

and so on..


5 day version:
1. series
day 1: EP
day 2: EP
day 3: BEP
day 4: EP
day 5: E
day 9: B
day 16: B

and so on again...

Normally 3 series (3xBEP = 9 weeks in all) is given, but as you are stage III 4 series may be the right choice.

If you are getting a different treatment, you should react promptly!

Best wishes
Jens

[Alucard]

Hi,

So far I had the first 5 days of chemotherapy, straight (I had bleomycin the first day) and then I had another bleomycin shot after 3 days.. Then I was supposed to wait a week until the next bleomycin shot so then I went there and they postponed it and you know the rest so I guess I had one full session, counting the bleomycin shot I'm going to have monday, if I have it?

I'm a little bit confused.. I think they said I was going to have 5 days of chemotherapy, rest 3 and then another five but they told me I was only going to have it again after a visit to the doctor.. so I don't know if this whole thing was 1 one the 3 sessions. I'm going to ask him this tuesday.

I don't think I'm making any sense so I'm going to stop writting now.

Regards,

-Al

[Jens]

Hi Al.

I'm a little concerned about your bleomycin beeing postponed again. How far into the treatment are you? If this is the final series it's OK, but you just started you may need a boost of some kind.

Best wishes
Jens

[Alucard]

Yeah. I just came back from the hospital and I had a CBC done and they said I couldn't have the bleomycin (I'm assuming that's what I was going to have) because my blood count came back as too low so it was delayed until this monday. I asked then what could I do and they said I should eat well and stay away from ill people so that's what I'm gonna do.

-Al

[dadmo]

Al:
Take comfort from the fact that your doctors appear to be giving you the correct treatment. You would be surprised how many don't.

[Alucard]

Hi,

Thanks for your words.. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow and I'll see if I can get more info now.. man I have learned a lot about the condition today.

Regards,

Al

[Jens]

they'd give me cisplatin and V-16 (or just 6)

Forgot to say that you are for sure getting BEP.
VP-16 is Etoposide.

Take care
Jens

[Jens]

Hi again Al.

Easy now.
You are getting treated for TC with BEP and the treatment will cure you.
I know - because it cured me!

Seminoma is a "slow growing bugger".
Non-seminoma is a "fast growing bugger" - with an unpleasent tendency to spread to the lungs (short version...).
BEP KILLS NON-SEMINOMAS! (It also kills seminomas but they get radiation as first line treatment.)

Know that BEP is extremely effective and that stage III just means that it's above your diaphragma but that's really not all that different from a few nodes in the belly. But to answer your question, yes, lung metastases is stage III and you probably have non-seminoma TC.

Your tumormarker values (AFP and HCG) are important to follow. Your prognosis is based upon them - dadmo's worries - remember?

Give us some info:
HCG and AFP value: Pre-surgery and present.
Pathology?
CT scan?
X-rays?
Treatment?

We can help you a lot with this, because we have been there! Ask away!!!

Best wishes
Jens

[Alucard]

Hello,

Yes, I have heard those terms before.. I remember they said they'd give me cisplatin and V-16 (or just 6).

What I really want to understand is what seminoma and non-seminoma means. I had surgery to remove my right testicle and now the only things left are those lung metastases. Does this mean I am at stage 3 already? I can't really concentrate to read right now, whenever I read a story I feel like throwing up or something.. I get nervous easily.

Thanks for the help,

-Al

[Jens]

Hi Al.

Dadmo has already taken good care of you, but I'm sure you will have a lot of questions as you learn more about your condition.
Especially since you seem to have a communication problem with your doctors you might need a little interpretation with some of the issues.

Remember to ask whenever in doubt.

I'm pleased to see that you are getting "bleosomething". That means that you are getting BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide and cisPlatin). It cures TC!

Best wishes
Jens

[Alucard]

Thanks a lot.

[dadmo]

Al:
Check out the attached link you should find answers to almost all of you questions. http://tcrc.acor.org/

[Alucard]

I really don't know a lot.. I'm living in an arabic country and they barely say anything I understand. I'm not sure what HCG is but it's something they check to see if your cancer is still active? They check it often.

BEP.. EP.. no, I don't know but I guess it has something to do with the chemotherapy? I have to take four sessions, one almost over. Yesterday but white blood cell levels were too low to give me the bleosomething.

I'm digging up some internet sites and reading the english stuff on my reports to get more info.

-Al

[dadmo]

Alucard:
Well that's a much better number, you scared me with that 311664 number. Do you know what your HCG is, and are you getting BEP or EP?