Oral Etoposide

[Va_Dad]

Hi,

I'm looking for information on the effectiveness of oral Etoposide at stopping and slowing down TC.

Thanks

[Davepet]

Afraid I don't know much about it beyond what guys in this forum who have been on it have mentioned. It doesn't seem to be used as a first line of treatment, rather as part of second or third line treatments, so I'm guessing your son has had other treatment? If you could post additional information about the type of TC, & what treatments have been done to date we may be able to provide better information.

Dave

[Kiwi]

Quick Search can see it mentioned a few times - seems a bit more for Lung Cancer - often TC will spread to the Lungs so maybe thats why its used. Whats your story - whats your staging - have you had an IO yet or when?

[Va_Dad]

In this situation BEP(x4) and salvage HDC (x2 cycles) didn't achieve remission, and oral Etoposide was prescribed to slow TC progression. There is the possibility of Clinical Trials at IU but that possibility is a few months away which is why I was wondering about the effectiveness of oral Etoposide.

[jjjw2835]

I took etoposide for extended periods of time after hdc. It kept my tumor markers in check very well. My markers continued to drop while I was on it too.

[Va_Dad]

Thank you, jjjw2835! Hopefully this will keep my son's tumor markers in check.

[Va_Dad]

I figured that I would give an update on the usage of oral Etoposide. When the oral Etoposide was prescribed at IU, it was explained the use of Etoposide in this setting could slow down or stop, even reduce the growth of TC or it could have no effect. Today I received the latest tumors marker count, which was taken at the end of his 21 day cycle. It appears it did slow the TC growth down, just not as much as I had wished for since there was a 70% increase in the tumor marker count (bHCG) within 22 days.

[jjjw2835]

How long after he finished the 22 day cycle did they take his markers?

[Va_Dad]

It was taken on the day he took the 21st pill. Tumor markers will be taken again on Monday 27th day of the cycle.

[jjjw2835]

I think when mine were taken it was a week after I finished a cycle. Is he doing a 3 weeks on 1 week off cycle of the pills? You very well may see a decrease in markers come Monday.

[Va_Dad]

I guess it's time to post an update but first I wanted congratulated everyone who is under surveillance and those who received the all clear. Congratulations and a reminder to remain ever vigilant!

While I've only made a few posts, and this will be my last one. After an eighteen month battle, 4 cycles of BEP, two cycles of high dose chemotherapy, and all the agony associated with the treatments my son passed away this month. Attempts to slow the spread of cancer failed, and it continued to spread at an alarming rate. It was literally doubling in size each month.

In closing - always be ever vigilant and do not take anything for granted. You are your best advocate. God bless you and everyone who helped you through to the point your at now. I wasn't sure if I was even going to provide this update but I wanted my son to serve as a reminder to everyone here "Don't take this cancer lightly."

[biwi]

I guess it's time to post an update but first I wanted congratulated everyone who is under surveillance and those who received the all clear. Congratulations and a reminder to remain ever vigilant!

While I've only made a few posts, and this will be my last one. After an eighteen month battle, 4 cycles of BEP, two cycles of high dose chemotherapy, and all the agony associated with the treatments my son passed away this month. Attempts to slow the spread of cancer failed, and it continued to spread at an alarming rate. It was literally doubling in size each month.

In closing - always be ever vigilant and do not take anything for granted. You are your best advocate. God bless you and everyone who helped you through to the point your at now. I wasn't sure if I was even going to provide this update but I wanted my son to serve as a reminder to everyone here "Don't take this cancer lightly."

So sorry to hear he passed on. I'm working on awareness a bit myself, an organization I'm involved in is putting on a 2nd annual charity 5K and they are looking for a cause. I volunteered to provide some material and a portion of a sub-cause for testicular cancer. It is definitely the right target market, this is a motorcycle racing organization so there are many 18-40 year old men in the organization.