Anyone taking Capecitabine Chemo for bile duct cancer?

Hi @sunflower88, I believe you've already connected with @demooretucson in another discussion. I'm also bringing fellow members @berta929 @timdale @edie78t @krishh @jerrydrennan and @kennym who have experience with the chemo drug Capecitabine (Xeloda). You might also be interested in this related discussion:

- Did you have with chemo/radiation prior to distal bile duct surgery?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bile-duct-surgery-1/
Sunflower, how is your spouse doing on chemo? Is he taking capecitabine alone or in combination with other chemo drugs? How are YOU doing?

Sunflower88 -- I've just finished 28 daily (M-F) radiation treatments, including daily (M-F) oral chemo of 1500 mg capecitabine in the morning and 2000 mg capecitabine in the evening. The only side effect was mild neuropathy in the balls of my feet. This was the second phase of treatments before distal bile duct surgery in October.

The first phase was ten bi-weekly chemo infusions of gemcitabine, abraxine, and cisplatin. Hair loss was the only side effect.

Dan

Sounds like you have tolerated chemo treatment good so far. Hope the rest of your treatment goes well.

Sunflower88

Wishing you and your husband the very best.

Dan

Yes,
In 2023, after completing 16 sessions of chemo infusion, I started capecitabine 200 mg twice a day during 30 sessions of radiation, and continues it for 2 more months.
Then I had liver transplant in January 2024. Three months after surgery, I begun capecitabine again, the similar dose.
Next week I will complet the 8 months capecitabine, 2weeks, one week rest.
No serious side effect.

You have been through so much. I hope you are cancer free now.

My husband is having side effects from the oral capecitabine that he takes twice a day, 2000 mg in AM and PM. Same routine with 2 weeks of chemo followed by 1 week no chemo for 6 months. He has only been on chemo for 6 weeks now. Side effects includes neuropathy on the heel and ball on his feet. Hurts to walk. Lives on pepto bismol daily due to stomach aches, some diarrhea. Also, drinking warm water with baking soda in it. He has had 7 MOH’s skin surgery. Taking the chemo, it is killing the skin cancer, his arms, neck, face and back covered in red spots which is skin cancer that the chemo is killing, which is a good thing. He has mostly bad days, not feeling good from the chemo. He is a trooper and will follow treatment plan on taking chemo for 6 months. Love Mayo Clinic and his team of doctors. Blood work every 3 weeks. He is scheduled on 10/23 for CT Chest and MRI on abdomen. He had liver resection (removed left lobe) due to 6 cm malignant tumor on 6/24. Amazed with surgery done laparoscopic with 2 surgeons and assisted with Da Vinci robotic that removed the left lobe. He is scheduled for the first 2 years to have both CT chest and MRI of abdomen every 2 months. ICC cancer is rare and recurrence of it is high. Mayo is on top of it. So thankful for all of the team of doctors, PA’s, entire staff at Mayo Clinic in Jax, FL.

Thank you Dan.

Hi Dan, please see my reply below to Kimia. My husband is experiencing side effects which is listed in the reply to Kimia.

Are you in remission now and proceeding with follow up visits for lab work and any MRI’s?

Sunflower -- All chemo and radiation treatments are complete. Awaiting curative surgery in mid-October.
Dan

Hi Colleen, please see my recent reply to Kimia where I have added the treatment my husband is doing and side effects. He had liver resection on 6/24/2024 removing the left lobe of his liver. Surgeon’s told us that cancer shows no sign in lymph nodes or other organs. Surgeon’s decided oral chemo of Capecitabine 2000 mg twice a day (2 weeks taking chemo, followed by 1 week no chemo, repeat for 6 months) 6-8 weeks after surgery in case there’s any cancer cells floating around. The plan of treatment includes blood work every 3 weeks, CT Chest and MRI of abdomen every 2 months for the first 2 years. ICC recurrence can happen.

He is not on any other chemo or radiation.