12 Cycles Completed- Stage 4

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Hello- My father, aged 71 years, was diagnosed with Stage 4 rectum cancer with lung metastasis in March 2025. After ostomy, he completed 12 cycles of chemotherapy with Cetuximab 600 mg, Oxaliplatin 140 mg, Leucovorin 500 mg, and 5FU 4000 mg.

After the 6th cycle, PET CT showed a near complete metabolic response with a significant reduction in tumor size. Next week, another PET scan is due.

Our oncologist suggests that we should keep him on Cetuximab as a maintenance therapy (one cycle every 15 days) and either take Capecitabine or IV 5-FU. I believe the treatment part is effective, but I am worried that Cetuximab is expensive and will require lifelong maintenance.

Please share your guidance and experiences.

Thanks

ragsandrosiee65735 11 days ago

Kareno62 11 days ago

Hi Rowan66ac22 Are you in the UK? Just wondered why the cost of Cetuximab is a concern?

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Rowan66ac22 11 days ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi there. We are from Bedford but currently living in Dubai, and my corporate insurance covers some expenses. The cost part we will work out. I am seeking guidance on this point-

If this treatment approach is correct, use Cetuximab as a maintenance therapy. I thought that after 12 cycles, all he needs to do is take Oral 5FU tablets. But the oncologist suggested that they also use cetuximab target therapy to prevent cancer from recurring. Please suggest.

court 9 days ago

Hi Rowan66ac22

He is clearly a great responder which is wonderful in itself . We found each specialist advocates from their own angle so nothing wrong with getting a few other opinions clinically from surgeons etc so your dad can make a fully informed choice .

We found that approach most helpful especially which niggling questions were still there.

Take care ,

Court

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