Gemzar vs. Ggemzar/Tarceva

My mom has just been diagnosed with stage IV PC. The mets has reached liver and lung. We are devasted and still in state of shock. We have met with two Oncologists and one recommended Gemzar and the second one Gemzar/Tarceva. The doctor who recommended Gemzar alone thinks that Tarceva's benefit is not clear and hence its side effects are not justified. He suggested that we can add Tarceva later, if she does not respond to Gemzar.  I feel if we use only Gemzar, we are not doing all we can.

Does anybody have a strong opinion one way or another? I appreciate any advice.

My strong opinion is this - Do ALL YOU CAN NOW. Too many doctors play the waiting game. "Let's see what happens if we just do this". Aggressive treatment should be (in my opinion) should be done first. By the time they have figured out "a little of this, and a little of that" doesn't work, our "patients" are in such a weakened state, they can't tolerate it. If I knew then what I know now..............

Without knowing all the details of  your Moms health at this time, I would say -  if she is able and there is a doc willing,  I would certainly go with the doctor willing to do EVERYTHING for her that is available. This disease, no matter what or where it is needs to be attacked full force NOW. I wish we had been more educated when my husband first started this fight. All the docs do, is look at the disease. They have no idea what kind of person they are dealing with. ~How strong thier will to live is and how much power thier "patients" have to get through this no matter what it takes. Don't let them take away anything from your Mother. She is not a statistic, she is not "a typical diagnosis". She's your Mom and she has the power to make sure her rights as a patient as a human being -  are not abused. Don't allow them to think they can count on your ignorance to "skimp" on your Mothers care. She deserves whatever is out there. She needs an advocate besides herself to make sure she gets the treatment that is available. Because you cannot count on the doctors, sad but true.

God Bless.

The last studies I am aware of showed a modest survival increase for the Gemzar/Tarceva combination over Gemzar alone ( a few weeks).  This combination would most likely have more side effects and that would have to be weighed.  Many Gemzar combinations are being looked at for stage 4 PC, but none has shown much survival increase yet.

 

I have stage 4 PC and have undergone the Gemzar/Tarceva therapy and Radiation. The Gemzar was stopped at Thanksgiving time as was the radiation and I'm still doing the Tarceva. The side effects of the Tarceva (for me anyway) have only been a slight rash / itching, but I feel like I've come a long way. I have a lot more strength and I'm back at work. My life has gone from full-time rocking chair to back to almost normal again. I can't say what it would do for or to your Mom, but I believe it's done very well for me.

hi my husband was given three weeks to live if he did nothing or 6 months if he did treatment, that was jan 06 he took 6 months of Gemzar/Cistplatin/Tarceva and 5 weeks of Raidation then he took the Tarceva alone for another month. He didn't have a bad reaction to the tarceve just a rash maybe alittle tired but he was still able to walk everyday 8 miles, now he works out on his bow flex and rides his bike everyday, he also takes somewhere between 80-100 supplements a day plus noni juice and colital silver so I'm not sure what worked but I know you have to try it all the more aggressive you are the better. I know our Dr.s in S.F. looked at us like we were nuts when I told them what we were taking so we went to Hawaii and the Dr.s out there were much better on the Holistic approch along with conventional med. so good luck and keep fighting bb 

On 4/12/2007 Sonofzera wrote:

My mom has just been diagnosed with stage IV PC. The mets has reached liver and lung. We are devasted and still in state of shock. We have met with two Oncologists and one recommended Gemzar and the second one Gemzar/Tarceva. The doctor who recommended Gemzar alone thinks that Tarceva's benefit is not clear and hence its side effects are not justified. He suggested that we can add Tarceva later, if she does not respond to Gemzar.  I feel if we use only Gemzar, we are not doing all we can.

Does anybody have a strong opinion one way or another? I appreciate any advice.

 

 

On 4/12/2007 Sonofzera wrote:

My mom has just been diagnosed with stage IV PC. The mets has reached liver and lung. We are devasted and still in state of shock. We have met with two Oncologists and one recommended Gemzar and the second one Gemzar/Tarceva. The doctor who recommended Gemzar alone thinks that Tarceva's benefit is not clear and hence its side effects are not justified. He suggested that we can add Tarceva later, if she does not respond to Gemzar.  I feel if we use only Gemzar, we are not doing all we can.

Does anybody have a strong opinion one way or another? I appreciate any advice.

Sorry to hear about your mom.  Just two weeks ago I started Tarceva/Gemzar.  This is my second bout with Pancreatic cancer, but my tumor  is just back on what is left of my pancreas. They can not do surgery this time because of the portal vain.  I am just starting to get side afects from the Tarceva.  They are mild, just a itchy rash on my legs and face.  I have been using a itch relief lotion with chamomile, vit. E and tea tree.  And I use a itch relief body wash that you can find in the drug store.  I say go for it and do all you can do for her cancer.  God Bless and I'll kept you in my prayer's.

 

Hello,

My spouse received tarceva for her ovarian cancer and it was the only drug to date that decreased her CA-125. Tarceva functions differently then most anti-cancer drugs. However, it can cause negative side effects which are easily avoidable if the doctor is paying attention.

1. Tarceva is metabolized in the liver via the CYP3A4 enzyme system. That may not mean much to you but, drugs like Ciprofloxin or antidepresants (SSRI) interfere with this enzyme and will cause an increase in the tarceva drug levels which will lead to Tarceva toxicity. It can be easily avoided by avoiding these drugs.

2. Tarceva can also decrease your kidney function, drink plenty of water and monitor the creatinine on your standard lab test.  Use this link

http://www.intmed.mcw.edu/clincalc/creatinine.html

to monitor your estimated creatinine clearance. Estimated creatinine clearance is very important in monitoring how the kidney is functioning. The higher the number the better.

3. Tarceva toxicity will also cause asthma/cough type symptoms. This too can be avoided by adjusting the dose and using asthma type medications

I hope this information is helpful as we have had personal experience with this drug. 

Regards

Jim S. 

I strongly urge your mother to fight this with anything she's offered--it's a dreadful disease with a frightening prognosis.  You and your family will soon learn much more than you ever wanted to know; however, that, too, is very important.  You need to educate yourselves on what is available and don't be afraid to ask questions.

My best to all of you.

Hi - my hubby has stage IV PC that spread to the liver - They made it sould like the end was near but you sound like a survivor - he has had two rounds of gemzar and he will be starting his third - new MRI due in May 07 - I just want to thank you for your positive news

 

On 4/12/2007 Sonofzera wrote:

My mom has just been diagnosed with stage IV PC. The mets has reached liver and lung. We are devasted and still in state of shock. We have met with two Oncologists and one recommended Gemzar and the second one Gemzar/Tarceva. The doctor who recommended Gemzar alone thinks that Tarceva's benefit is not clear and hence its side effects are not justified. He suggested that we can add Tarceva later, if she does not respond to Gemzar.  I feel if we use only Gemzar, we are not doing all we can.

Does anybody have a strong opinion one way or another? I appreciate any advice.

Sorry about your mom. Am going thru the same story with mine.  She started Gem/Tarceva 3 weeks ago. Her Dr. is at UofPenn.  This is his 1st line.  Have gotten 2nd opinion from Johns Hopkins and a local cancer center.  Both agreed that the Combo is the right direction for now.

She did experience the side effects of Acne which was devastating for her but the antibiotic helped dramically with it. It is said that those with the skin reaction have a higher effective rate.  Stools can be loose with high fat content foods so we are working on that.

Friends mother was given 3 months but the combo worked for about 1+ year. She is still here 1 1/2 years later.

Hope this helps. I'm still is shock but just keep researching and hoping