How long will I be on therapy with Avastin?
In NSCLC treatment, Avastin is given once every 3 weeks. At the beginning of your treatment (usually for the first 6 cycles), Avastin is given along with chemotherapy. After that, Avastin alone is continued for as long as your doctor recommends treatment. In the studies that showed its benefits in NSCLC, Avastin was continued until a doctor determined the cancer had grown larger or spread, or until side effects require discontinuation of Avastin. For more information on recommended cancer treatment guidelines, visit http://www.nccn.org.
If you have a side effect related to your chemotherapy before 6 cycles are over, your doctor may stop and/or change the chemotherapy regimen ahead of schedule. If this happens, Avastin can still be continued.
There are some side effects that may require you to temporarily or permanently stop Avastin therapy. See Avastin side effects to learn more about potential side effects that may require stopping your treatment. Be sure to report all side effects to your doctor. This way you can decide together on changes to your treatment. To get the best possible result, you should not miss an appointment without talking to your cancer care team.
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