Immunotherapy with Clear Cell Carcinoma- Endometrial
I am Stage IV clear cell endometrial carcinoma with metastases to bone. My biopsy results including MMR testing indicated that I am not a strong candidate for immunotherapy (pMMR, normal DNA mismatch). I started on Carbo-Taxol right away. But I have also heard that CC cancer is chemo-resistant. And recent studies say that Keytruda is effective regardless of MMR results.
Has anyone with endometrial cancer had Keytruda/immunotherapy as a first-line treatment or was chemo prescribed first before immunotherapy was offered?
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@paula21 Your mind and body are going through so much right now that’s no wonder you feel fatigued. I’ve also consulted with a nutritionist whose speciality is cancer and it’s been so very helpful. Doesn’t it feel great to know that you can do something yourself (nutrition) that will contribute to your health?
Absolutely. You can't sit back and hope for someone to fix you. You have to be in charge of the things you can control.
I just completed six cycles of chemo with Keytruda. I believe the chemo would not have worked had it not been for Keytruda. My oncologist will continue me on 400mg of Keytruda every six weeks, for another year, barring any adverse effects which could occur, death or cancer progression.
@ccwill There are new approaches coming out from clinical trials that benefit us. It sounds like you are following the recommendations of your oncologist and it’s worked for you. Here is what I’m doing to help with the anxiety over cancer (diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2019, recurrence in 2021). I remind myself that some cancers can be treated as a sort of chronic disease that needs careful monitoring. I keep to the quarterly schedule of my cancer surveillance appointments and follow the recommendations of the doctors and nurses that I see.
As @paula21 wrote you have to take charge of what you can control.
I'm so excited to hear of new approaches coming out of clinical trials! I am following the advice of my oncologist, but I also have a whole care team for helping me:
A cancer nutritionist, my primary doctor, a dermatologist, a chiropractor. I'm working on adding a physical therapist and allergy specialist as I am prone to skin rashes from Keytruda.
This is a great approach. Like you I’ve assembled a team although I’m not in active treatment right now. These including my primary care physician, my nurse practitioner for my cancer surveillance appointments, integrative medicine physician, massage therapist, and nutritionist. I recently added an endocrinologist because I had a fracture due to radiation therapy and so need to focus on bone health more intensively.
My integrative medicine doctor helps me put everything together. She’s an oncologist now working in integrative medicine so she is very helpful to me.
Glad you have assembled a team you can go to when needed. My team is mostly for handling side effects so I can keep going with my treatment.
How are you feeling?
@paula21 I’m doing good. I keep looking over my shoulder for another cancer recurrence or a new primary cancer however as time progresses (2 years since the recurrence) I’m doing less of that.
How you feeling today?
@paula21 Greetings! Since I'm about to start Keytruda, alone, as a maintenance drug, could you kindly provide your feedback. So you infuse 400mg every six weeks? My CA 125 is 6 (that is a normal person) and my last CT scan did not show any cells. Therfore, I am concerned about continuing on a drug that may have adverse long-term effects on my body and wellbeing, compared to where I stand now. Thank you in advance for your kind response.
Hi! I think your concerns are valid. My Keytruda is 200 mg every 3 weeks and I'm on Lenvima 10 mg. My CA 125 was between 4&6 for over 7 months, but I was given PET scans which showed metastasis in two new areas. I was off Keytruda for 2 months due to skin rashes and now my CA 125 shot up to 35!
I strongly recommend that you get a second opinion. You've reached such an important goal.
Are you on any special diet with foods known to prevent cancer?
Hope this helps.