OvCa: Any experience with topotecan?

I haven't posted in a while, so I'll bring you all up to date.

In Jan, my CA125 rose again, and a CT showed a met in my liver. After multiple other scans to be sure there was nothing else going on, I had surgery a thhe end of March -- partial liver resection, diaphragm resection and repair, several lymph nodes, a smal spot onteh colon resected. All visible evidence fo disease was removed. Yay!

I had lots of problems post-op and spent several days in ICU. After I went home, I still had breating problems which led to a thoracentesis a few weeks later. I'm still battlign a combo of horrible allergies and a bit of remaining pneumonia. But now we're on to chemo.

I had part of the tumor sent out for special chemo-sensitivity studies. This time, several good options appeared (as opposed to just one iffy option last time). So, the plan is to do 6-8 rounds of Gemzar/cis, take a break, and then switch to topotecan.

I did Gem/cis last time, so I"m familair with that, but I have no expereince with topotecan. Anyone else have experience with it that they'd be willing to share?

Thanks!

While I don't have much knowledge to share, I just wanted to send you a little shout out - I hope things go well with this new treatment. Lets just plan on this being the last rouge bits. It's great that they have new tools to use this time around.

I did the gemzar/cisplatin but no topotecan. That would have been my next option had I not done the radiation. I do remember looking it up to see what the side effects were, but, for the life of me, I can't now remember what they were. I know it always helps if you can "talk" to someone who has first hand information though. Anyway, i just wanted to wish you good luck with the treatments. Sure sounds like you have been through a lot lately. Keep us updated on how you're doing.

Blessings,

Thanks ladies.

Yes, I always prefer to talk to someone with real life experience when possible. I guess I'll become the topotecan resource person for others in a few months.