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Newly diagnosed with pancreatic mass — What questions to ask?
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Dec 28, 2023 | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
FWIW, my oncologist stopped oxaliplatin after 8 cycles. He said that when he first began practice, physicians would continue with the Folfirinox regimen including oxaliplatin until the patient couldn't handle it anymore. By then, the neuropathy was painful, crippling and permanent. He said now he stops oxaliplatin after 8 cycles in an attempt to keep neuropathy at bay. Indeed, my neuropathy, which was still fairly mild, has resolved. Is this right for other patients? I have no idea; there seems to be such variation in treatment approaches. I have fortunately responded well to the overall Folfirinox-now-Folfiri treatment, so perhaps that's one reason my MD felt justified in dropping the oxali. But I mention it in case this info is of use to someone.
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The discovery that cold therapy can prevent peripheral neuropathy going back a number of years within the colon cancer community has led to many now able to continue with the 12 cycles of Folfirinox. It has significantly increased the quality of life in these patients. The oncologist co-chair I serve under on the GI Cancers Committee of ECOG-ACRIN was one the the oncologists involved the phase II clinical trial and based on the positive results of that trial, offers it to all her patients.
When I had the 24 cycles of Folfirinox, the benefits of “cold therapy was not yet known”. Although I experienced peripheral neuropathy which did resolve after several years, doing the recommended dosing with oxaliplatin and doing twice the number of cycles likely contributed to achieving N.E.D, surviving stage IV disease 11.5 years and now being considered cured.