i need info on carboplatin used for brain cancer treatment?

Question

my brother has glioblstom multiforme (astrocytoma grade IV)
19 month survivor. he is on his 5th treatment of carboplatin and
would like to know the down side about effects on major organs
or other complications. as well as the amount of doses that
constitute maximum toxicity a body can with stnd. how long does
this stay in your system? the doctors are very little help with info.
please provide any info ASAP. many thanks.

Answer 1

Hi -

I'm sorry to hear about your brothers GBM.

Carboplatin has a half-life of 1-2 hours initially, and can be effective for up to 10 days.
Starting dose is calculated based upon a persons weight, height, and kidney functions. A typical dose for subjects with no previous treatment is 400mg/m2, at one time. Dosing may be increased, depending on the severity of the disease, and the patients reaction to treatment.
As with most chemotherapy, this drug can suppress your immune system (bone marrow production of white blood cells). Also, the patient can become thrombocytopenic, and anemic, which is usually temporary.
If your brother has a blood test, he might have an increased BUN, and serum creatinine, and liver enzymes may become elevated. Once treatment ends, all of these symptoms usually cease.
As I am sure he knows, he can expect to experience GI upset and vomiting for the first 24 hours after dosing administration.
Carboplatin is excreted primarily in the urine with 65% of the dose excreted after 12 hours and approximately 70% within 24 hours.
All of this information is available on the drug label, or the FDA website.
Has his doctor mentioned temozolomide?

Good Luck

Answer 2

Follow this link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202115.html