Updated Oct 2017
SEF CHEMO IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN CANADA. WE ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THIS THERAPY DUE TO THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS RESTRICTIONS. CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING THIS LIFE-SAVING THERAPY MUST TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA OR SEEK OTHER TREATMENT. READ THE PRESS RELEASE
MEDICOR SEF CHEMO ELIGIBILITY
Patients who are interested in starting SEF chemo should first review the following checklist with their family doctor, naturopathic doctor, or other healthcare practitioner.
__ Pathology report available?
__ Functional status ECOG 0-1? (if not, then low dose weekly SEF chemo may be possible)
__ Measurable disease? (imaging or CTC)
__ Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) > 2.0? (if not, then low dose weekly SEF chemo may be possible)
__ Platelet Count > 100? (if not, then low dose weekly SEF chemo may be possible)
__ Normal hemoglobin or mild anemia? (if not, then low dose weekly SEF chemo may be possible)
__ No brain primary / small brain primary (< 2cm)?
__ No active brain metastases? (previously treated brain metastases may be ok)
__ Normal liver function?
__ Normal renal function or mild renal failure?
__ No previous allogeneic (from other donor) bone marrow transplant? (autologous marrow transplant is ok)
__ No current corticosteroid? (or low dose that is not immunosuppressive)
__ No pericardial effusion? (unless it is very small or a drain tube is to be placed)
__ No pleural effusion? (unless it is very small or a drain tube is to be placed)
__ No sulfa allergy? (if yes, a mesna skin test is required before starting therapy)
__ No egg allergy? (if yes, a mesna skin test is required before starting therapy)
__ No carboplatin allergy?
__ No supplements / agree to stop? (vitamin D, probiotics are ok)
__ Pregnancy test negative? (or not applicable)
The following tests will be ordered by your Medicor doctor before starting SEF chemo. Please confirm there will be no issue if these tests are ordered:
- 24 hr urine collection for creatinine clearance
- chest x-ray (PA/LAT views)
- screening brain MRI (if high risk for brain metastases)
- abdominal/pelvic ultrasound with Doppler
- blood cancer markers like CEA, CA19-9, CA15-3, CA125 (if applicable, may be covered by government health insurance or ~$40 per test)
- Maintrac circulating tumour cell count (not covered by government health insurance, ~$600 per test)