It began with a mass growing in my left thigh but i didn't bother it at first as it was painless and wasn't affecting my daily activities at all. I started to get worried when the mass started to grow bigger so i went to the doctor's and did an MRI for left thigh as well as chest Xray (instructed by doctor). Results showed that the mass in my left thigh was a tumor and the images from the chest Xray of my lungs were not clear (with multiple metastatses). Thus the doctor concluded that my tumor was a cancerous one.
I was arranged for a surgery to remove the primary tumor so as to prevent it from further spreading. About 2 weeks after the surgery, my oncologist started me on my first chemo treatment with the drug Duxorubicin for 5 cycles as that was the limit my body could take. CT chest results showed some reduction in the size of the tumors in my lungs and i took break for close to a year as i thought my condition had stabilised (with regular CT scans in between). However i started to have very regular cough and that was when my oncologist suspected that the tumors in my lungs were growing bigger, that was in late 2010.
I was then on Sutent (37.5mg) with 4 weeks on 2 weeks off for 6 cycles, but at the same time, i also experienced bad swelling on my left knee. I then did an MRI scan on my left knee and mulitple lesions were found in the knee bone and shin bone. Sutent helped in ceasing my cough and easing my leg pain. CT scan also showed promising results in reduction of the tumors' size also with other tumors disappearing. It was good news to know that Sutent was working well for me but during the midst of the 5th cycle, i started having very bad headache, double vision, vomiting and even had one incident of seizure. MRI brain results showed multiple tiny tumors in my brain and i had to begin on whole brain radiation therapy due to the multiple tumors discovered. I was still continuing with Sutent and had to take Dexamethasone (to stop my brain swelling) and Dilantin (to control my seizsure and prevent it from occurrng again).
During the 6th cycle of Sutent, i did not experience the side effects i had from previous cycles and my persistent cough is back. After the cycle had completed, i did CT chest scan and MRI left knee scan to see the progress. Results this time round showed that the condition of my lungs had worsen and the tumors in my bone have a slightly increase in size. Sutent had lost its effect on me and i couldn't continue anymore.
Right now, after failing sutent, i am on another chemo drug called Gemzar+Everolimus (just started yesterday). Any promising results from this chemo drug? I am getting really pessimistic and starting to lose hope already as my condition keeps getting worse. I am also very worried about the condition of my left leg, i fear that if the condition keeps getting worse, my left leg may have to be amputated away, i really do not want that.
Sorry for the long post! Just sharing with you guys my personal story with ASPS.Take good care!
Regards
Mint