Betty Taylor51 said:I'm wondering how successful treatment with Avastin is, and what kind of side effects there are.
In the US, Avastin is typically used as a first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer, usually paired with chemotherapy. It’s interesting because it doesn't actually work like standard chemo; instead, it works by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels that feed the tumor, which helps slow down its progression and spread. The therapy is generally administered every two weeks until the disease starts to progress. From what I've seen, most people tolerate it quite well. Some common side effects to watch out for include increased blood pressure—so you really have to stay on top of monitoring those numbers—as well as potential kidney issues (doctors usually check urine for protein levels), along with risks of thrombosis, embolism, or heart muscle weakness. There are more serious complications to be aware of, like gastrointestinal bleeding or organ perforation, which can be life-threatening. However, in practical day-to-day application, it is generally well-tolerated. Regarding efficacy, while we've seen massive leaps in treatment thanks to newer drugs, metastatic disease isn't something we can cure entirely just yet. That said, the goal is often about improving quality of life and extending it, which, in my opinion, is incredibly important.