Cisplatin & Carboplatin

[Kathyhtak]

My oncologist is changing one of my chemotherapy drugs - from Cisplatin to Carboplatin. I have had 10 cycles of Cisplatin with good results. I am a not sure what side effects to expect with the change, does anyone else have experience with both drugs? I will also be continuing with Xeloda, which I have been on for several months. (Gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis, stage IV.)

[Sailor]

Hi Kathyhtak Not a lot of difference in effectiveness but carboplatin is a milder drug. Less likely to get high frequency hearing loss and kidney damage. This means that they can give doses that may be more effective. Still a danger of nerve damage. Cheers Sailor

[Kathyhtak]

Thanks Sailor. Well I had one cycle of carboplatin, nausea was milder than with cisplatin. But when had blood test immediately prior to 2nd cycle, my red cell, white cell and platlet counts were too low to have treatment. This was the first time in approx. 6 months of chemo that this has happened to me. Oncologist did warn be that carboplatin could be tougher on red & white cells. I go back tomorrow to try again for cycle 2.