I thought I would post an update on my treatment so far (4 week in) for those who may be facing a low dose chemo + rads regime in the future.

I have experienced very few side effects from the chemo so far. I mentioned this to the nurse treating me and she let me know that medical science has not been idle over the past years. My chemo treatments typically start with the administering of a number of non-chemo drugs, up to 6 different ones. I know they have anti-nausea drugs along with some steroids and recently added Benadryl (for swelling).
The nurse said that the doctors have found combinations of drugs that help tremendously with the side effects of the chemo and that the incidence of difficult side effects are certainly falling.

Other than being tired the day of chemo, I have no other side effects I can point to. The Benadryl they are giving me at the start of the chemo cycle generally puts me to sleep by the time they get to the real chemo (Carbo-Taxol) and I have found myself sleeping through the majority of the treatment.

The rads are just starting to give me some trouble with pain in the back of the throat and the side of the tongue. This of course was expected and I just have to grin and bear that part of the ordeal.

All in all I can say that I am pleasantly surprised that the side effects from chemo are not what I expected and am happy that they have found ways to make them much more bearable.

Best to all,

Good to see you update Kelly.
Sounds like "so far so good" and I hope that you continue to be pleasantly surprised as you continue with the treatments.
Please keep us updated.
Love and {{hugs}}

There has been a trend in more frequent, lower dose chemotherapy. The "every 3rd week" Cisplatin "slam" can be pretty brutal. The more frequent lower dose protocol seems to be as effective as the high dose type. Carboplatin typically has fewer side effects as Cisplatin. Taxol has been used for breast cancer for some time - its application for H&N cancer is relatively new or off-label.

FYI, Cisplatin was one of the first platinum based chemo drugs. It gained a new life when it was discovered it was a very effective adjunct to radiation (enhancing survival rates an additional 13%). Carboplatin was developed because some have extreme reactions to Cisplatin, including permanent hearing loss (although this is rare).

Hi Kelly,

So glad to read your update! It sounds like you are half way through treatment and doing very well. What a relief that strides have been made in making it more tolerable.

Keep moving forward!

Sandy
xoxox

You're strong and doing well! Push on! You'll be done in no time!

Talked to a OC patient Friday that hasn't begun Tx yet but he was telling me of a NEW miracle chemo his doc has recommended and wanted to know if I thought this chemo alone could cure him. Tonsil primary with mets to 2 nodes, HPV status unknown. I asked him what was the name of this miracle chemo and he said it started with a Cis and I said Cisplatin and he said Yes, that's it! Help me!

So good to hear that your side effects are minimal with chemo this time, Kelly. Hang in there.

David,

I just confirmed with my doctors at U of M that there are only two known methods to kill off SCC, surgery and radiation. There is no known chemo that kills SCC. Current chemo is used for two purposes

1) As an aid to radiation therapy, the chemo weakens the cancer and makes the radiation more effective. Studies have shown a 10% increase in long term survival rates when chemo is used concurrently with radiation. They are now advocating a low dose regime of weekly chemo when used alongside the radiation.

2) As a palliative treatment to slow the growth of the tumor. This is used when surgery and radiation are no longer an option and is usually administered in full dosages every three months. The treatment can extend the life of the patient but will not cure the cancer.

Hope this helps.

Hi Kelly! Just wanted to check in on you and see how you were.
KATE