Hi there.
It is important to be empathic, and let your brother know that you are always there for him. However, you should not overdo this, since this might lower your brother's self esteem further and cause him to have self-pity. CML is a manageable disease given the appropriate medications. Not all CML's are candidate for Gleevec. Only those who tested positive for the philadelphia chromosome or the bcr-abl gene would be candidates to receive gleevec.
Hi, I don't know the answer -- but since both CML and Gleevec toxicity produce anemia because of marrow suppression, maybe it's not possible to tell the difference. E.g., both would show a low reticulocyte count.
This full text paper on anemia from Gleevec https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajh.23879 shows that other signs such as red blood cell size can vary, so that doesn't seem to help. Sorry.
I was diagnosed with CML and given Gleevec 400 ml. After taking gleevec for 2 weeks doctor took additional blood test. My WBC dropped from 36.5 to 7.1 and all other blood counts came down to normal range. I'm wondering if gleevec could give such fast hematological response or I was possibly misdiagnosed originally. I don't and didn't have any symptoms, my spleen and liver weren't enlarged, no enlarged lymph. Should I get second opinion asap? Please, help me.
Hi.
Response to imatinib (gleevec) can be dramatic just like what you experienced. Myelosuppression with neutropenia (decrease in neutrophils) and thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelet count) can be a side effect of treatment. Usually, discontinuation of drug intake is advised until the blood counts increase. You should have your white blood cell count repeated after 1-2 weeks and see if it already improves. You should report to your doctor if you experience any symptoms like fever.
Am on Gleevec 400mg, now having problems with blisters on the palm. What can I do about it?
I was diagnosed last year and was immediatley put on gleevec 400mg/day.At my last consult my metabolic stats had risen,hence blood tests to determine if the gleevec is no longer working.I am still in firstphase and wonder what my options are if the gleevec is no longer an option.Amin pretty good form,just very tired and a lot of bone pain.
I have CML and was treated with Gleevec for 4 years and achieved remission. I have for the past several months been experiencing sudden onset of weakness which last for hours, to days. My blood pressure which has remained under control for several years with atenolol has been running 145/105 and higher for the past three to four months. I have a feeling of fullness in my stomach, and I have sporatic episodes of mild coughing, this occurs maybe once a week.
A recent study confirmed the long-term superior efficacy and safety of anastrozole (Arimidex) over tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer.
It is apparently considered likely that this would hold true for the other AIs, such as Aromasin, but if you wish, you could ask your doctor about the possibility of trying Arimidex in place of Aromasin.
Best wishes...
, locoregional or distant recurrence or contralateral breast cancer), postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer should consider an AI, either as primary adjuvant therapy for 5 years or sequentially after 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen to yield a total of 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy. Women who discontinue initial AI therapy before 5 years should consider using tamoxifen to bring the total duration of adjuvant therapy to 5 years.
My oncologist ran Adjuvant Online and printed this for me which shows 22% prognostic risk of 10 year relapse. With no additional therapy: 69.6 alive and without cancer in 10 years, 21.3 relapse and 9.1 die of other causes. With chemotherapy, it lists "Benefit = 6.1 without relapse". Just to clarify, does that mean that chemotherapy adds only 6.1 to the 69.6, increasing the amount alive and without cancer in 10 years to 75.7 and dropping the relapse to 15.2 from 21.3?
Hello,
Femara (letrozole tablets) is approved for the adjuvant (following surgery) treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive early stage breast cancer.
Femara is also approved for the extended adjuvant treatment of early stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are within three months of completion of five years of tamoxifen therapy.
In the adjuvant setting, commonly reported side effects are generally mild to moderate.
During that time, I think Herceptin is being used for metastatic Her2+ breast cancer and not for adjuvant treatment. Presently, it is now approved for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer Her2+ (treatment right after surgery), based on the clinical trials that have proved its value. I suggest you continue with your surveillance and discuss this further with your oncologist.
Regards and God bless.
i was diagnosed with cml in march of 2009 and was also taking 150mg of elavil at bedtime to control migraines for like 10 years. then this past dec. a heart test showed i had prolonged qt of the heart so i was stopped 'cold turkey' by a dr and its been down hill ever since. i have had the shakes, loss of appetite and constant nausea. i wake up evey morning shaky really bad.
You cited the SWOG 8794 study as showing adjuvant radiation reducing the need for androgen ablation. Are you aware of any evidence that hormone therapy combined with adjuvant radiation therapy increases the survival rate or extends the time to biochemical failure, local recurrence or metatastic disease? Is there any preparation that you recommend prior to treatment that can minimize side effects?
Thank you.
Your present stage (I believe it is stage I) along with the findings of Her2 + and ER -/PR+ may warrant you to receive adjuvant chemotherapy with possible herceptin. Tumors that are larger than 1cm in the National comprehensive cancer network, are considered to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. You may also need hormonal treatment (like tamoxifen) after you undergo chemotherapy.
Dear Kathy1124, Decisions regarding adjuvant treatment for breast cancer are based on several factors including size of tumor, lymph node status, as well as specific tumor characteristics you mention such as hormone receptor status and HER2 status. If adjuvant therapy is recommended in your situation there are several regimens that might be used. Treatments that would not be used are the hormone therapies that would be used to treat hormone receptive cancers.
Dear Doreen789, It is generally recommended that pregnancy be delayed 2 to 3 years after adjuvant treatment for breast cancer is completed. The delay is not because of the influence of the pregnancy on the cancer, but rather to delay childbearing until after the time of greatest risk of recurrence of the tumor.
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