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clairev
New User
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: UK
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 Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:58 am Post subject: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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My 24 year old daughter has just found out she is pregnant (we think 5 weeks but waiting for HCG levels).
She was diagnosed with grade 3/4 anaplastic oligoastrocytoma in May 08, had two craniotomies leaving her with right sided weakness, six weeks radiotherapy with Temozolomide and she completed six months of Temo in May of this year.
It was just over a year ago when her oncologist told her should be be left infertile (she had already had one session of PCV before we got a second opinion and this was discontinued) To have a child has been all she has ever really wanted and she was devestated to be told this would never happen.
Her last scan five months ago was completely clear and she asked the registrar what were the chances of it coming back before her next six monthly scan and she was told "pretty small" which gave her lots of hope. He told her to get on with her life and forget about it to the best of her ability and to her credit she has done just that and was recently talking about going back to work.
I cannot get any info on whether the survival times are better if the tumour has been completely excised. We understand the roots are always there and that it will probably return eventually. The tumour was originally grade 3 but after second opinion the oncologist reexamined tissue and upped it to a 4. They think she may have had it for a long time and it has recently turned nasty. She used to get severe nose bleeds since the age of 4 and hasn't had one since her ops and we often wonder if that was related.
Her next scan is due in November but she has already said she doesn't want it if there is any risk to the baby.
Obviously there are many worries we have and we have urgent apt to see oncologist on Monday but anyone out there with any experience please let us know the questions we should be asking.
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4lindsay
Regular
Joined: 12 Apr 2008
Posts: 31
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject: Re: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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The recommended waiting period after this treatment is 6 months. The following is from macmillan.org regarding this drug: "It is not advisable to become pregnant or father a child while taking temozolomide, as the developing fetus may be harmed. It is important to use effective contraception while taking this drug, and for at least a few months afterwards. Again, discuss this with your doctor."
I hope all goes well for your daughter. Our daughter is also 24 and has brain cancer as well. We sincerely hope she is able to have a baby some day. It's a tough decision considering the prognosis for this condition, but it would be a beautiful gift...a little part of her to treasure!
Praying God's blessings over this little one and Mama!
Dianne |
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brainman
Site Admin
Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 5617
Location: Tennessee
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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clairev, I am filled with mixed feelings... as you undoubtedly are too: Overjoyed at news of your daughter's pregnancy but saddened at the news that she has AA. Surgery should buy her more time but, as you fear, it will probably recur. The question that I do not have an answer for is "How long?" In my case with a slightly different glioma (oligodendrogliomas and astrocytomas are both forms of gliomas) grade III, I was told that I would live at least 7 years before my next recurrence.
You and your daughter are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Twitter: @JimHawkins54 |
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clairev
New User
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: UK
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:55 am Post subject: Re: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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| Thank you brainman and 4lindsay for your replies. I will let you know how she gets on x |
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clairev
New User
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:47 am Post subject: Re: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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Just to give reassurance to anyone who is in the same situation as my daughter. We have found that amazingly Temozolomide should not have affected the baby at all after five months of cessation. She will also be able to have her routing MRI scan next month safely.
Everything is looking good so far and we are keeping our fingers and toes crossed for our little miracle! x |
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clairev
New User
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 7:13 am Post subject: Re: 5 months after Temozolomide and pregnant! |
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| In fact we have been told that the Temo is only a danger when taken during pregnancy. As a man is producing sperm all the time then it can affect this for up to six months after stopping treatment. A woman's eggs are already formed and stored in the ovary so it should not effect these. |
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