How Do I Know If Tarceva Is Working?

My mum (just turned 60) was diagnosed with  Adenocarcinoma of right lung T3N2M0 Stage III A. She also has DVT and was not considered for surgery. Chemo was refused too because she developed anemia and Hipoalbuminemia and generally feels too quite weak after all the antibiotics, warfarine (for DVT) and Videothoracoscopic talc pleurodesis to stop fluid coming back to her lung. Doctor has prescribed Tarceva and she's been on 100mg for 10 days now. No side effects, apart from fatigue and tiredness. Cough has nearly stopped and breathing is more even. We have seen doctor again and all of a sudden he seemed very pessimistic and said that Tarceva does not seem to be working (after 9 days only) since lump in her lymph node had not gone down. My question is - is it right to give up so quickly? Initially we were told that she should be on Tarceva for about 2 months to see significan results. Has everybody had either very fast improvement or ...? Please, share your experience!

Thanks!

Vinetta

On 7/4/2007 Vinetta wrote:

My mum (just turned 60) was diagnosed with  Adenocarcinoma of right lung T3N2M0 Stage III A. She also has DVT and was not considered for surgery. Chemo was refused too because she developed anemia and Hipoalbuminemia and generally feels too quite weak after all the antibiotics, warfarine (for DVT) and Videothoracoscopic talc pleurodesis to stop fluid coming back to her lung. Doctor has prescribed Tarceva and she's been on 100mg for 10 days now. No side effects, apart from fatigue and tiredness. Cough has nearly stopped and breathing is more even. We have seen doctor again and all of a sudden he seemed very pessimistic and said that Tarceva does not seem to be working (after 9 days only) since lump in her lymph node had not gone down. My question is - is it right to give up so quickly? Initially we were told that she should be on Tarceva for about 2 months to see significan results. Has everybody had either very fast improvement or ...? Please, share your experience!

Thanks!

Vinetta

 

30 days of Terceva should be generally sufficient treatment period to determine response to this drug.60 days are used sometimes as well just to be sure there is no delayed response.If the cancer continues to grow after 30 days of Terceva therapy than it will unlikely be effective.If there was fluid with cancerous cells in it around the lung the stage is usually at least III B. 

Hi Vinetta.Yes i have lung cancer on the left lung a very large tumour.This all started Sept 05,i  went for 27 days radiation,and after that course which was the end of Nov 05 my oncologist put me on tarceva 150mg.In the following April 06 i had a scan and the specialists found that the tumour had shrunk,so i had to wait untill Aug 06 for another scan to see if it was the tarceva or the radiation or maybe both.At the end of Aug 06 i had another scan and found that the tumour had shrunk 70%.Well if this is not a wonder drug what is?????.Your mother MUST carry on taking the drug even with the side affects.I am 70yrs old i would like to see my grandchildren married if possible,.If in anywayn i can help,please do not hesitate to drop me a line.Wishing your mother well.

Goldfing.