how can i get doctor to prescribe tarceva for inoperable lung cancer with secondary brain cancer has recieved one chemo session for lung then 5 radiotherapy for brain...help??????
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...
4 rounds of chemo of taxotere and cisplatin seem to have not worked as now he has mets in his liver, bones and adrenal glands. His doctor is aftraid that Tarceva is not recommended to someone with mets to the bone. That is not what I read. Can you please let me know if Tarceva is for him and whether that can hep stop or slow down the disease?
Thanks.
since then the diesies showed improvment and shrinkage in tumor. . HE has been under maintance treatment with Tarceva since 2009 upto now. the previous PET-CT ON JULY 2011 WAS NEGATIVE AND CONCLUSION was that no evidence of residual hypermetabolic disease seen in lung.. but the recent CT showed smal new lesion 1,8 *2 cm. in comparison to previous.and his new PET -CT in TURKEY hospital FN shows new FDG(+)SUV max:5) pulmonary nodule in the lower lobe of the lung.
If the node is positive for cancer metastases, this may imply disease progression in spite of Tarceva intake. Tarceva may have to be replaced with another more effective chemotherapy drug. Radiation therapy to shrink the node and relieve the swelling may also have to be done. Consult with your oncologist as soon as possible so you can be properly assessed.
Thanks for your response. To clarify: his treatment was adjunctive. At the time they saw no sign of cancer outside the lung. Now, however, after 4 rounds of chemotherapy the disease seems to have spread during treatment with taxotere and cisplatin: it's now in the liver, bones and adrenal glands. His original tumor was EGFR positive that is why Tarceva came up as a viable second step.
m doing research as quickly as I can to help she and her husband make an informed decision about what to do...if anything. The local drs are recommending 4 weeks of full brain radiation followed by tarceva. Prior to the finding the mets, they were planning 6 weeks of radiation to the right lung in combination with etoposide and cisplatin.
I'd appreciate any feedback. My thanks in advance to all responses....
She has done very well with chemo and radiation until recently. She was started on Tarceva about 3 weeks ago. Recently, she has been experiencing a lot of confusion. I cannot find anywhere that this is a side effect of Tarceva (it is the only drug she is on at this time). Is it possible that she has a brain metastases? If not, what are the likely causes.
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..
At the time of the procedure it messured 1.3 cm at the time of being placed on Tarceva the measurment 1.9 cm with in three wks after surgery in April.
Placed on Tarceva the first of May and No incress in growth...Doctors say Stable Remission...Now I have been told that I have a Mass on the back side of my thyroid gland on the left side. We have tried ultra sound guided needle biopsy...didn't work.
Now the docs say they want to try a Core Biopsy?
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....
We found out on her birthday on January 10th, 2008 that she had stage IV metastatic adenocarcinoma of the the pancreas that had already spread to her liver. We found out because she was up visiting me in Knoxville and she had a gallbladder attack. They thought it was just her gallbladder and that it was going to have to come out. Then when they did the CT scan they found that it was a huge tumor on her pancreas blocking the bile duct to the gallbladder.
Also look for greasy stools. A doctor can check your bilirubin and do a few tests to rule out your pancreas, gallbladder and bile ducts. I wouldn't take any pain for granted.
I just had 5 weeks of a hospital stay that saved my life. Thought I had a stomach bug. Ended up with a ruptured appendix and blocked bowel. CCU, ventilator and sepsis survivor here. Plus half of my intestines pulled. Pain was only a mild cramp with a stomach bug symptom for two weeks.
You need to see a Gastroenterologist, because it sounds like it has something to do with your intestinal tract and this is their specialty. Take care.
i had a us scan @ hospital and they found a lump 20/28inches in my pancreas what could it be ?
I am in the same boat as both of you. Did you have acute pancreatitis when it first hit? Have had acid issues for yrs, last yr started getting upper left sided jabs of pain, my lipase was doubled and then remained slightly elevated for at least 2 wks. My pain lasted at least 3/4 months now the pains have come back some...not to the same degree.
I have had so many scans, but pancreatitis does not show.
Three years ago I also had a scan and it said I had mild pancreatitus, but this scan says something about the head of the pancreas. Tonight I am going for an MRI to rule out any lesions. I had some slight bleching last week that is almost gone, my stools seem fine, just the back/tummy pain exists. I have also had some slight fluctiations in my temperature. Anybody elose gone thru this? I'd like to know your story.
Oh my God! Thank you Lord for letting me hear from someone with darn near my situation!
I had lower left lobectomy May 29, 2009. Stage 1A BAC (nodule 1.3 cm)...no chemo (there seems to be only one that "might" work, Tarceva) and no radiation (what will they burn out? the lobe's gone already).
90 % "chance" of making 5 years is what they tell me. Mucho NO info on BAC. Only bad prognosis.
I have already survived breast cancer (BRCA 2 Mutation) for 6 YEARS!
He started Tarceva this January but it seems it did not work as the cancer spread to brain…. 9 mets were identified in the initial MRI 2 weeks ago but the subsequent MRI right before yesterday’s gamma knife procedure (which removed 7 mets) evidenced numerous other tiny/small tumors spread all over the brain….He has been in relatively good condition (eating well, no weight loss) until these new mets emerged (which affected his walking and reading ability)….
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.
I assume that it is pancreas... However, I am very scared about some serious abnormalities in pancreas. Can anyone help me with the explanation of the tests I had - is it enough to rule out the bad things? I am very very scared and going crazy because I do not know what is going with me.....
Thank you very much for your answers.....
Sincerely,
Lila
This discussion is related to <a href='http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/236592'>elevated lipase</a>.
i am currently looking into a pancreas transplant alone i am currently 44 years old and am diabetic for 34 years i don't have
any real problems and am on a pump i just would like to have this transplant i'm searching for any information on such a transplant i'd especially like to speak to people that have had one both successful and rejections any information will be greatly appreciated
ve had two CT scans, both of which confirmed the presence of a single, coarse calcification located in the tail of my pancreas. Along with this regular upper left abdominal pain, I've had issues with undigested food, extreme fatigue, but no weight loss. (I believe this is due to the fact that I've been inactive...thus, an actual gain in weight). I've had symptoms that remind me of those that my father experiences with his diabetes...
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