Raltitrexed & Irinotecan chemo for advanced colorectal cancer in lungs & pleura

Hi ggranny I think Maninbath had Raltitrexed but I’m not sure what with? I’ve also attached the link to the Macmillan page about it

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/treatments-and-drugs/raltitrexed

Take care

Karen x

Hi granny. Karen is correct I was given Raltitrexed in place of Capecitabine because I had severe chest pain every time I took the tablets. I was given it along with Oxaliplatin via IV. Pleased to say Raltitrexed IV took about 30 minutes compared to two hours for Oxaliplatin. One benefit was once both infusions were administered that was my chemo done for three weeks. I eventually ended up on a single medication (Raltitrexed) chemo regime as, like you, I too developed severe neuropathy, caused, I believe, by the Oxaliplatin.

Raltitrexed gave me severe diarrhoea which started quite soon after the first dose and continued until my chemo finished. I could control my bowels but it was all liquid.

I was due to have eight cycles and completed six due to the onset of a neurological condition. Unfortunately, I am now Stage 4 with the cancer spreading to remote lymph nodes so, for me, the chemo was unsuccessful as a curative treatment. However, from my histology results I know  it would be an uphill struggle (22 out of 31 removed lymph nodes were cancerous along with number of blood vessels). My bowel cancer is also rare and known to be ‘resistant’ to chemo.

With hindsight the cancer was probably already ‘travelling’ by the time my chemo started so it was probably a matter of timing rather than medication.

I am currently on a watch and wait regime to find the ‘best’ time to begin palliative chemotherapy. My oncologist did mention the drug I would be having but I can’t remember its name, although I do remember it will be a single medication regime.

All the best.

Tom

Hi Karen.

Thank you so much for the information & putting me in touch with Tom.I'd worried that nobody else had been prescribed this chemo. I see oncologist again next week & now feel prepared for outcome. Kind regards Marguerite

Thank you so much for the information. My goodness you really have had a tough time! I had thought at one stage why bother putting my body through chemo when it effects the quality of your life so much, but with such inspiring information I feel ready to have a go. Kind Regards Marguerite