Megace

Hi Angelafish 

I am the same stage as you, not clear cell but endometrioid grade 3. I had the same chemo as you and my treatment finished in September. I have just had my 6 month CT and am awaiting results. I've been told that my cancer is only treatable with chemo. I've not heard of Megace but will look into it. Sorry I can't answer your question but I'm sure others will be along soon with their experiences. Best wishes for your treatment,

A x

It’s Megestrol acetate and is a hormonal therapy drug used to treat breast and womb cancer that has come back apparently x

Hi Angelafish,

I have incurable endometrial cancer (I’m stage 3/grade 1) and was prescribed Megace from December 2019, through to early 2021.

Following my original surgery back in September 2017, I was left with an inoperable mass in my right pelvic wall. My circumstances are a little bit different (detailed in my bio) but long story short, I was referred to the Royal Marsden for a 2nd opinion. They suggested I try Megace in the first instance as I only have one kidney. For about 20 months, I had a very good response. The mass in my pelvic wall didn’t grow and I had no progression elsewhere. Unfortunately, after time, the Megace stopped working and I had no option but to start chemo (Abraxane/Carboplatin - 6 sessions).

The Royal Marsden explained to me that the medication is predominantly used for recurrence. My ER assay was 5, which is why it stopped working for me. The higher your ER assay, the better response you’ll have. After Megace, I was switched over to Anastrozole but that had no effect either. Even though I’m grade 1, my cancer is now acting like an ovarian cancer in its recurrence pattern and hormone inhibitors are no longer an option for me.

The only issue I had with Megace was the weight gain (it’s also used to help stimulate the appetite in advanced cancer patients and people with eating disorders). I used to find myself in the kitchen at 2am looking for something to eat…..and it’s amazing what you’ll eat when you think you’re hungry!

I wish you all the luck in the world with your future treatment. 

Take care, 

Liz x

Thank you for replying.  20 months would be a lot longer than has been anticipated if it works for me. It would hopefully give time for an immunotherapy treatment for me   I hope you have an alternative treatment to follow from your Anastrozole x