My husband has Nasopharynx Cancer which is rare and hard to understand treatment. At first he was told 35x 3 doses Cisplatin. He had a hard time as expected but when it was over(2/19/08) he started to feel better every day. THen the MO urged him to do adjunctive therapy with 3 large doeses 5FU and Cisplatin 3/10/08). As many of you may already know he had a terrible reaction due to lack of DPD in his DNA 9 days in hospital and almost died. Now he is suffering from neuropathy (numbness hands and feet) so the doctors want to change chemo plan to 6 weeks of Carboplatin/Erbitux. Understand that there is no signs of cancer in most recent MRI or PET scans and the cancer was discovered early. Craig (husband) is very depressed and still suffering with effects of previous chemo. He doesnt want to do any more chemo or so he says. He is having panic attacts and very negitive attitude about everything. At what point do you say enough and at what point do I back off and let him make the decision to stop the chemo and deal with what comes.

THanks for your help!
Cindy

Oh Cindy - I have no help to offer because we haven't been faced with that yet. I am thinking of you and sending big cyber (((hugs))). I'm interested to see how the more experienced respond.

I think ultimately though - if he understands the choices/options - it is his decision.

Cindy- I'm so sorry for you both. If there are no signs of cancer, that doesn't mean it isn't there lurking. My husband had metastasis that showed it's horrible self only a few months after his last good scan. The Erbitux will possibly have some painful side effects. My husband had cracking skin and pain in his feet and it did not slow his metastasis at all. In fact, it got worse. However, he says he would not have changed anything because at least the doctors tried. Maybe your husband could benefit from some therapy. I hate to think of him giving up but I know how good it feels to not be going thru chemo. Keep us posted.
Sue

Cindy,

Unfortunately this question can't be answered by anyone here. If you are uncomfortable which the doc's reasoning and you have asked him/her at length why, then perhaps you need to get another qualified opinion.

Hi, Cindy,

My husband had induction chemo (cisplatin, 5-FU, and taxitore) PRIOR to beginning his 35X radiation/3x cisplatin. His doctor's thinking was that the stage and location of his tumor (Stage IVb tonsils but spreading to Pterygoid muscle) that the induction chemo would shrink the tumor and perhaps just as important- reduce the likelihood of metastisis. I know others on the board have received a similar protocol. I agree with David that it seems that you are unsure with the reasoning for this treatment plan Did they see things that concerned them somewhat at the end of the radiation/cisplatin? Because two of the chemos your husband is/has been receiving can cause neuropathy (i know one is cisplatin and I believe the other is 5-FU) your husband may be getting side effects (neuropathy) that many on here did not get. My husband didn't really notice it until he was done with treatment and it really bothered him but physical and occupational therapy helped a lot and I believe his nerves are regenerating now and it will continue to get better. My husband had much more extensive treatment than many on this board and as a result he has had more side effects (many already gone such as anemia) than others but so far, all of his scopes and scans have been fine and we keep reminding ourselves that that is what is most important. I can certainly empathize with you and your husband with the neuropathy. It does get better but the reality is that large doses of chemo and radiation cause damage to perfectly good tissue and nerves with the kind of treatment we have all gone through.

Let me know if I can offer support or ideas around the neuropathy.

Warmly- Sophie