Can you have Carboplatin chemo twice?

Hi Mr U 

Thanks for you post. I’m Linda , one of the nurses from our support line.

I see that you had posted about your Carboplatin adventure starting soon a few months ago now in our Prostate cancer forum. Thank you for this, it was interesting to read along with the replies.

I’m not sure if this has been offered to you as part of a clinical trial, such as the BARCODE 2 trial but there are some papers which recommend the consideration of carboplatin for advanced prostate cancer with and without gene mutations. I have liked some examples below.

Activity of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer With and Without DNA Repair Gene Aberrations

Carboplatin in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer: A retrospective study of heavily pretreated patients (COMPACT).

In terms of having treatment with carboplatin twice, I’m afraid this isn’t something I’ve been able to find an answer to. We would ask you to speak with your oncology team about this, to explain why they have said it would only be offered once.

I hope you find this helpful and if you’d like to have a chat about your situation, we would happy to hear from you

I hope your meeting next week goes well

Take care

Linda

(Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm or contact us by email or webchat. 

Ref: LM/KS

Thank you for the response.

I am being troubled with back and rib pain which has escalated recently even though I’m now after the 4th cycle. I am wondering why the pain is worsening and concluding that Carboplatin is not working well on me. It’s the same situation as it was with the olaparib I was on prior to the Carboplatin - the year that I was on the pills saw the PSA come down but not stay down. So it looks like my body is resistant to the BRCA 2 treatments.

On Thursday I will speak with my oncology team and go through what treatments I’m to have in the near future, and was hoping that Carboplatin was not on the menu for a second time.

I’m disappointed with the chemo results so far and want to have a better QoL going forward.

Thanks for your reply.

Hi Mr U,

Thanks for getting back in touch and for the further information.

Because you mention worsening  back and rib pain it would be important to speak with the 24 hour oncology telephone assessment line about this today. If you have trouble doing this we would encourage you to call your GP or 111 and ask to be reviewed. 

I appreciate you had a similar experience with the Olaparib, and you are seeing your oncologist on Thursday, however when people have these symptoms it is important to rule out a malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC).

This is especially important if you have any change to you bladder and bowel function or any new weakness or reduced sensation in your arms or legs.

This condition isn’t common but it does require prompt treatment. This is why we are asking you to seek advice today.

Best wishes,

pp Linda M – Macmillan
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. Ref LM/ SMJ/ KDf

Thank you for the advice which is an accurate assessment of my condition.

I have had two spinal MRI’s done in the last 2 months looking for exactly what you surmised, spinal cord compression or bulging, which has not been found.

I also was tested for any heart related chest pain issues which again was negative.

I’ve been advised (this week) to increase the daily background slow release morphine capsules to 20mg twice a day and with the 6 a day oral morphine (5ml) on top. I’m now at a pain of 4 not 8 (out of ten).

It’s likely to be cancer of chemo side effects causing the rib and chest and back pains but it makes it very awkward to lay down, and when I do all my chest muscles contract (and some are really painful) making breathing shallow, and even a half breath impossible until I mindfully relax all those abdominal muscles.

“Theres a lot going on” is what I hear from clinicians which is true but don’t help a great deal.

Thank you for your interest, I’m very greatful.