When I had breast cancer, my chemo was given once every third week. I was just wondering what kind of cycle is myeloma chemo given. Is it IV mostly, and how long does it take for each treatment?
Thanks
Forums
-
dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: How often is chemo given?
Hi dogmom
The frequency of chemo for multiple myeloma depends on the type of drugs being used, as well as the condition of the patient receiving them, and his or her reaction to the drugs.
Most drugs are given through IV's, but there are some that are given by injection, and a few that are given as pills.
Many patients receive more than one drug, with different frequencies of administration.
For example, I am on a regimen that includes getting one drug that is given by IV monthly, as well as another that I get through twice weekly IV's for three consecutive weeks, with one week off each month.
My oncologist orders weekly blood tests to monitor the effects of the chemo, and will sometimes adjust the frequency or amount I get, depending on what the tests show. The tests are important because many of these drugs have significant side effects, just like chemotherapy for other types of cancer. My understanding, however (and this understanding is informed only by my own experience and that of some others who have posted on this forum), is that the side effects for many of the drugs used to treat myeloma are milder than those for many of the chemotherapy agents used for other cancers.
Some of the drug IV's take as little as fifteen minutes per dose, and others take much longer - from a few to several hours,
The frequency of chemo for multiple myeloma depends on the type of drugs being used, as well as the condition of the patient receiving them, and his or her reaction to the drugs.
Most drugs are given through IV's, but there are some that are given by injection, and a few that are given as pills.
Many patients receive more than one drug, with different frequencies of administration.
For example, I am on a regimen that includes getting one drug that is given by IV monthly, as well as another that I get through twice weekly IV's for three consecutive weeks, with one week off each month.
My oncologist orders weekly blood tests to monitor the effects of the chemo, and will sometimes adjust the frequency or amount I get, depending on what the tests show. The tests are important because many of these drugs have significant side effects, just like chemotherapy for other types of cancer. My understanding, however (and this understanding is informed only by my own experience and that of some others who have posted on this forum), is that the side effects for many of the drugs used to treat myeloma are milder than those for many of the chemotherapy agents used for other cancers.
Some of the drug IV's take as little as fifteen minutes per dose, and others take much longer - from a few to several hours,
-
MrPotatohead - Name: MrPotatohead
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: How often is chemo given?
Thank you so much MrPotatohead. That is very helpful.
-
dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: How often is chemo given?
As Mr. Potato Head said, each drug has its own schedule and then each doctor may change the schedule and/or the dose depending on each patient's response to the drug(s).
As an example, I started with 15 mg of Revlimid for 21 days with 7 days off, 40 mg of dexamethasone once a week and a Zometa infusion every 6 weeks. Over the years, the Revlimid has been changed a few times from 15 mg to 10 mg for 21 days to 10 mg every other day back to 10 mg for 21 days. Dex has been changed from 40 mg once a week to 20 mg once a week to 12 mg once a week. Zometa initially was once a month, but has been every 6 weeks for several years.
So, there is no set dosing schedule. The drugs are approved for a certain dose level and schedule, but the doctors can change that as they see it is appropriate for an individual.
Nancy in Phila
As an example, I started with 15 mg of Revlimid for 21 days with 7 days off, 40 mg of dexamethasone once a week and a Zometa infusion every 6 weeks. Over the years, the Revlimid has been changed a few times from 15 mg to 10 mg for 21 days to 10 mg every other day back to 10 mg for 21 days. Dex has been changed from 40 mg once a week to 20 mg once a week to 12 mg once a week. Zometa initially was once a month, but has been every 6 weeks for several years.
So, there is no set dosing schedule. The drugs are approved for a certain dose level and schedule, but the doctors can change that as they see it is appropriate for an individual.
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: How often is chemo given?
Nancy,
I think Zometa is IV and I know steroids can be IV or pill, but is Revlimid a pill taken at home?
I think Zometa is IV and I know steroids can be IV or pill, but is Revlimid a pill taken at home?
-
dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: How often is chemo given?
Hi Dogmom,
Yes, Revlimid is a capsule that is taken at home.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
Yes, Revlimid is a capsule that is taken at home.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
-
Chris M
Re: How often is chemo given?
Chris, is Revlimid usually one of the first treatments given on initial diagnosis?
-
dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: How often is chemo given?
Hi Dogmom:
Revlimid is usually included in frontline induction as part of the Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone (RVD) regimen. Until recently, many locations held off on the Revlimid until first relapse, and used Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) instead. The regimen had the acronym CyBorD (Bor being short for "bortezomib", which is the generic name of Velcade). In Europe, I believe they still mostly use CyBorD. If you have not done so already, I suggest that you google the Mayo Clinic's guidelines on treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. They are called the MSMart guidelines. Here is the link:
http://www.msmart.org/about.html
Keep in mind that these are good guidelines, but there may be many valid reasons to deviate from them in individual cases.
Good Luck
Revlimid is usually included in frontline induction as part of the Revlimid, Velcade, dexamethasone (RVD) regimen. Until recently, many locations held off on the Revlimid until first relapse, and used Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) instead. The regimen had the acronym CyBorD (Bor being short for "bortezomib", which is the generic name of Velcade). In Europe, I believe they still mostly use CyBorD. If you have not done so already, I suggest that you google the Mayo Clinic's guidelines on treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. They are called the MSMart guidelines. Here is the link:
http://www.msmart.org/about.html
Keep in mind that these are good guidelines, but there may be many valid reasons to deviate from them in individual cases.
Good Luck
-
JPC - Name: JPC
Re: How often is chemo given?
Revlimid is a capsule. Dex can be a pill or IV depending on whether it is given in conjunction with another drug's IV administration. Velcade is an injection or an IV. The new Velcade-type drug (Ninlaro, ixazomib) is a capsule/pill. Kyprolis, Darzalex (daratumumab), and Empliciti (elotuzumab) are IV. Pomalyst is a capsule. Cytoxan can be either a pill or IV.
So, when your husband begins treatment, he may have a combination of oral and IV drugs. You may want to check with you prescription plan as to what drugs they pay for – usually prescription plans cover the oral drugs and medical insurance covers IV and injected drugs – and what your co-pay / co-insurance may be. Revlimid runs over $10,000 per month retail for me. My co-pay after the first prescription of the year, >$2000, is about $550 per month. There are co-pay assistance plans that you can apply for which can help with the cost of the drug. They approve based on income, but the income limits are fairly generous.
Nancy in Phila
So, when your husband begins treatment, he may have a combination of oral and IV drugs. You may want to check with you prescription plan as to what drugs they pay for – usually prescription plans cover the oral drugs and medical insurance covers IV and injected drugs – and what your co-pay / co-insurance may be. Revlimid runs over $10,000 per month retail for me. My co-pay after the first prescription of the year, >$2000, is about $550 per month. There are co-pay assistance plans that you can apply for which can help with the cost of the drug. They approve based on income, but the income limits are fairly generous.
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: How often is chemo given?
My wife had an initial autologous stem cell transplant with the tandem expected shortly. She started by going through 4 months (16 weekly cycles) of CyBorD; Cytoxan was in pill form, Velcade (bortezomib) was a subcutaneous injection, and dexamethasone was a schedule of 12 days total per month (4 on 4 off) for the first 2-3 months, then scaled back for the last month. She also received monthly infusions of pamidronate (Aredia), a bone building agent.
It is useful to know your husband's cytogenetics (chromosomal abnormalities), as that is also an indicator of risk and therefore appropriate treatment.
Best of luck,
SK1
It is useful to know your husband's cytogenetics (chromosomal abnormalities), as that is also an indicator of risk and therefore appropriate treatment.
Best of luck,
SK1
-
SK1 - Name: SK
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 62
11 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
Return to Treatments & Side Effects