Is My Cancer Treatment Working?

I think that, that is a great question for your oncologist. I was on Kisquali 600 and it was kicking the cancer back, I’m a stage 4, but it was also kicking my butt, so I asked for the dose to be lowered, now I’m on Kisqali 400 and I’m feeling much better but I don’t yet know how well it’s working. Hang in there, I wish you the very best!

I'm MBC with extensive bone Mets. I'm on Kisqali and exemestane. We lowered my dose to 400 this month. My last 2 scans showed 1 bone Mets light up and it was brighter this month. My oncologist said we will wait until the brightness is 3 (it's 2.9). Marion, I think it's working for me, but not on that one met. My oncologist wants me to stay on each HR regimen for as long as possible. I've had 2 disease progressions. She will probably make a change and radiate the one in my spine. I'm surprised you didn't start on the 600 mg. They usually start with the higher dose until your body can't tolerate it.

I would be inclined to soldier through on 600mg. I have just finished my 12th cycle (1 year) Kisqali/Letrozole and the 2 bone scans show healing in the 2 bone met sites and shrinkage of 3 lymph nodes to 1/4”. I am tolerating OK — not nauseous — but more tired than I want to be, and my hair and skin are adversely affected. I asked my ONCO if we wouldn’t, at some point, move to 400mg — and her response was ‘why would we if it is working’ or something to that effect. Better safe than sorry, in other words. The best trick I’ve found is to have a solid savory protein breakfast — seems to help w nausea — and then focus again on protein and fiber at lunch — same with dinner, but dinner is easy. I’ve cut way back on carbs, and zero UPFs… I wear a CBG monitor and work to keep my blood glucose level. I didn’t start this for the cancer, it just worked out to be a good nutritional strategy… 1/4 meat to 3/4 veg on the plate and eat the rainbow. Not sure this will help with blood pressure issues but worth a try. Also take good care of your gut biome, Kefir or something fermented everyday.

ignore the comment about blood pressure issues…. tried to edit it out, but couldn’t manage…

Thanks, ladies, for responding. Now, we're going to try cutting off the Letrozole and doing an injection estrogen inhibitor. It may help more because my doctor said the approach is by a different means other than oral. We will give it a try.

Treatment response can vary from person to person, and mixed results like stable areas alongside slight growth can be part of the process as treatments work differently throughout the body. These are exactly the kind of important questions to discuss thoroughly with your oncology team, as they have the complete picture of your specific situation and can best guide decisions about timing, dosing, or potential treatment adjustments.