Tarceva or erlotinib
Common Questions and Answers about Tarceva or erlotinib
tarceva
Hi. Tarceva can be given as a single agent after failure of first-line or second-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. However, Tarceva works best for certain subsets of patients: Asians, women, non-smokers, and those with adenocarcinoma histology. This drug still has been found to benefit males, smokers, and those with squamous cell histology, but to a lesser extent.
Apparently the cancer in her rib has caused a break or fracture in this rib. She does not eat very much but insists on getting up each day, she gets dressed and sits downstairs sleeping or reading. She takes paracetemol every 2-4 hours and oramorph every 4 hours. The doctors just say there is nothing they can do to help her. What are your views.
My husband was diagnosed with a Pancoast tumor on his lung. He went thru chemo/ radiation and finally had surgery to remove the tumor. It was successful. He had more chemo for precaution. After one year, the cancer came back into his Adrenal Gland. It is also in his Lymph Nodes. They put him on Tarceva( a pill he took everyday) And after 6-7 weeks, he had tests done which showed it didn't do anything.. the tumor has grown. They said there is no other options..
The decision is not simply, let’s do it, there is an evaluation about how much lung to be removed and whether or not it can be tolerated. Perhaps you could consider having him undergo the evaluation to check whether or not he would have sufficient lung reserve for it, before you make your decision.
Discuss your concerns with the doctor/s. Stay positive.
He has been through several chemo and radiation treatments and is now starting on Tarceva. It has been a long road so far and he has his good days and bad days. I don't think there's any way even the doctors can tell us how much time they have left specifically. His doctor said it could be a year, 5 or even 10, but of course we are all hoping and praying for at least 20 more with him.
It has already spread to the spine, both lungs and the lymph system. Doctors triede Tarceva for 3 weeks but her body had a very bad reaction. For the spine they did radiotherapy. But since she was diagnose 3 months ago she has lost aalmost her voice. she is using oxygen for the major part of the day but doctors don't wan't to talk about time. no more medes will be given and she was reffer to hospice....
Hi There...
I have had a upper right lobectomy on Sept 14 2001.Stage 1A BAC lung cancer...no chemo or no radiation..clear margins and no lymph node involvement.. ..it's been a little over five years now. cancer free. PRAISE GOD...and thou I realize that 5 yrs is maybe the magic number for most lung cancer survivor's...is it also meant for BAC Lung Cancer...I have heard not so....
Thank you for any information you can give me....
I doubt at this stage of disease you would find any additional advice or recommendation. I believe there is also a Chemo or Oncology Community or Forum on the website where you might also post. I must say again though that this is a matter for a Medical Specialist in the Oncology Field. Best wishes to you both. Kindest regards ...
In lung cancer, there are assays for quantitative testing of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), which confers sensitivity to some drugs used in lung cancer like Iressa or Tarceva. The cost of testing can range from a few hundred dollars (e.g. ER/ PR assays) to around 3800 dollars for the Oncotype DX test.
In 2005, he had Tarceva. In 2008 they discovered metastasis to the liver (3 lesions) and he underwent chemo again (I think Avastin) and he finished the treatment in March. The doctor said the tumors in both the lungs and liver were smaller.
For the past 3 weeks he´s been vomiting, but sporadically. There is no pattern. It doesn´t matter if he eats lightly or heavily. Some days he vomits once, some days nothing.
He went to see a Gastroenterologist. They did a sonogram...
My Dr recently put me on Cymbalta for anxiety and depression. Also for pain. I'd like to know how effective it is for chronic pain and most importantly...will I gain weight?! I do NOT want to gain weight!!! I've heard both...you'll definitely lose weight or you'll definitely gain. Does anyone have an answer to that?
thanks so much!
She is not a candidate for treatment and is refusing even palliative tx such as Tarceva. PET Scan showed no evidence of cancer in brain, liver or bone. Because she is experiencing no symptoms she is hesistant to participate in a home hospice program. What symptoms are generally experienced and if possible a general timeline for disease progression.
We are 28 Months down the road and have been through Tarceva, carboplatin/paclitaxel/avastin, a phase II trial and are setting off on the next stage. I think there are too many variables to give one answer, but the thing that has made a difference is good morale and a willingness to wage absolute war with the disease. We are not done yet and are going tomorrow to choose from an array of options, some of whom were not available 6 months ago.
I failed to inquire in the other post if the chemotherapy involves 1 or 2 drugs? Are you sure all she is getting is platinol? not a combination of platinol with 1 of the drugs I mentioned above? The importance is that by and large, 2 drugs are recommended for patients who are deemed well enough to aim for extending survival.
Hi, My 69 year old Dad has stage 4 Lung nsc cancer that he has been battling for over 2 years with good results from first Tarceva, then Chemo and prior to that radiation to mets to his brain. He is an otherwise healthy, robust, nonsmoking person. Last month he started experiencing problems walking, nausea and headaches. He was referred to a Neurologist who recommended a Shunt to help regulate the fluid in his brain. It has been a nightmare ever since.
I have just been diagnosed with Stage IV NSCL lung cancer with advanced lymph node involvement. Inoperable so I was told but then this was contradicted with "well we could operate but it would not take it away"! Have been offered chemotherapy Gemcitabine plus Carboplatin... or clinical trial BTOG2 currently in phase III in the UK of Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin 80mg versus Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin at 50mg versus Gemcitabine plus Carboplatin AUC 6.
Finally, they started chemo, giving her both Gemzar and Tarceva. Ironically, my mom was a research toxicologist for Eli Lilly and tested Gemzar almost 20 years ago while working for them. The chemo seemed to be working. The cells were showing signs of necrosis in her liver and the tumor on the head of her pancreas was shrinking.
Then, at the beginning of April, she was feeling a lot better but her right arm started swelling.
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