I’m due ‘mop up’ chemo in a couple of weeks after having ELAPE surgery 12/12/22. I’m just wondering if anyone had or heard of anyone getting a recurrence after having the ELAPE surgery or if anyone got it after the ‘Mop up’ chemo. Thank you
Hi Lmr76. That’s a really difficult question to answer. A lot of people have treatment and then don’t return to the board so you don’t know how they’re doing further down the line. Are you having doubts about whether to have chemo? Has it been recommended due to affected lymph nodes or something like EMVI? If you type elape in the search box at the top of the screen then you can see previous posts which may help
I had just 1 lymph node involved originally so I understand that makes me having to have the ‘mop up’ chemo. My oncologist wanted originally me to do 6 months chemo (8 rounds) but to see how I get on after 3 months. I’ve read that most people’s symptoms are worse after round 4. Also I’d read online that there’s no better outcome with 6 months and 3 months. Is this true? X
Hi again. 6 months of xelox seems a lot (in my opinion) for just 1 lymph node unless there’s something else involved like suspicion of vascular invasion/EMVI. Yes there was a trial done and the findings were that 3 months had virtually the same benefit as 6 but with less side effects - I’ve attached a link below. Chemo side effects can be cumulative although I’m not sure that you could pinpoint it to a particular round!
At the end of the day it’s your decision about whether to have chemo but one that you have to be happy with and have no regrets or what ifs if you were to have a recurrence, You could give it a go and see how you get on? If you’re struggling with the side effects then sometimes a dosage reduction can make a big difference and I seem to remember I dropped the oxaliplatin for the last 2 rounds of mine x
Hi. I was a bit late to the game but still decided to have the chemo - I think they ideally like to start it within 10 weeks of surgery. I had fortnightly sessions - day 1 iv, 9 days capecitabine then 4 days off - not sure why but the usual is a 3 weekly cycle. It was pre Scot trial so I was down for 9 cycles. I had a dosage reduction after about 3 or 4 as my white cell count was low and then the oxaliplatin was stopped after 6 as I was getting a tingly tongue. Had capecitabine on its own for another 2 sessions but that was stopped after number 8 as my feet were red and tingly - should have spoken up earlier about the feet as they’re still affected - feels like permanent sunburn - but I wanted to finish the full 9 - the oncologist said I would be wiped out by fatigue before then so I stubbornly decided to prove her wrong!
