Has Anyone Tried Tarceva?

I just completed an unsuccessful 90 days on 150 mg Tarceva. Tumor size nearly doubled and SUV measured by the PET scan increased significantly during that period. The only good news was I had none of the side effects mentioned in the literature. As to options...Wednesday I am scheduled to begin 6 weeks of Alimta followed by more CT and PET scans.
BTW, I believe I'm classifed as Stage IV and actually had 6 months of remission after radiation and 2 types of chemo beginning in December, 2003.
Best of luck to you all, charlie

Hi,
My sister is diagnosed with Phase IIIB lung cancer and does not respond to chemo. Her doctor has advised her to try Tarceva but because she can not afford it and the drug is not available in vietnam, would you let me know where I can get the information about the donation center?

Thank you,

huong1234

My mom was able to get it for FREE through Genentech's Access to Care. As long as she makes less than $75,000 a year and insurance won't cover it, she qualifies. Check it out online to get numbers etc. It's very easy. Just a few forms for the doctor to fill out. My mother didn't even come under the protocol listed to qualify since she hadn't had chemo.

My mother (84 years old) was on Tarceva for over 2 months until last week. She had the rash and diarrhea, but was o.k. Her tumor significantly reduced in size and we were very optimistic, still are somewhat. However, the last month or so she was experiencing more and more fatigue and then the severe joint pain and swelling set in a few weeks ago. Joint pain is not listed as a side effect, so she had a bone scan and it ruled out bone met. Within 48 hours of getting off Tarceva, all her symptoms, including the joint pain and swelling, began to decrease and disappear. I called Genentech to report the side effect. They had received a few other reports like my mom's. It is probably a rare side effect. She has arthritis, so I don't know if that makes her more prone to it. She may try and go back on Tarceva at a lower dose after a couple weeks. I'm torn but it is her decision. Tarceva has been a blessing and a curse. I'm just glad to see her feeling well again.

I wrote you back in Feb to let you know my Father had passed away. This morning I was going through some things on my computer and read through all the notes you wrote my Dad RJ in Kansas.

I feel my Dad wanted me to write you and see how your husband is doing. I'm not sure why I'm writing this, but I'm doing it for my Dad.....not sure if you believe in the "spirit" world, but I sure do.....too many things happen to be considential.(spelled wrong)

Hope you are doing well your self. God bless you.

Cathy

Just wondering how the tarceva is working. My sister in law has just started it. She has nsclc, adenocarcinoma with mets to liver, only small area's in liver. Has been on Carboplantin and Taxotere.

Long and short...Husband diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in May 2004 ... hard Summer, Fall with bad chemo reactions (adriamyacin, taxol, cicplatin). No primary found, just the one cantaloupe-sized tumor in liver. However, scan last week and the one prior showed only two small "residual" tumors and my husband is clean everywhere else. Doctor said possible body got rid of primary early on and we may never know where it started. However. since scan showed no change from last...doctor said we're now through with chemo (thank you, Jesus), and he wants him to see radiation oncologist on 1/10 to have 1 treatment only (stereo-tactis body radio therapy) to "zap" remainnig "residual" tumors. He then said (doctor) that he wants my husband to start taking Tarceva once a day for at least 6 months. If all goes well, we won't have to keep taking it. Between now and then, obviously, we'll have x-rays / scans. Doctor said at the end of 6 months (thereabouts) he can have out patient procedure to get portacathe removed. We'll go in once monthly to get cath flushed and I guess maybe labwork (but I don't know at this point). We asked about returning to work since he's on LTD and the doctor said after giving him some time to recover from chemo (late January / early February '06) that "yes" roughly 6 - 8 weeks later he could be looking at returning to work. This was great news for us. Then, I started reading about Tarceva. What I would like to know is "Is a person able to work while on Tarceva?" I know the common side effect is the rash / acne / itching -- any comments would be appreciated as soon as possible. Thanks.

Hello, I am a 56 year old male with head and neck cancer with mets to my lungs. The head and neck cancer has not returned since surgery andradiation in December of 2001, However I have had three previous bouts with lung cancer since Dec. of 2001. I am now on Tarceva and have been for two months. I have gotten the rash within the last two weeks. The rash is severe and all over my body. I must be careful while showering because the rash will break and bleed. I also have the diarrhoea and it is severe. I also have some bone and joint pain. If these are the only side effects I have and the Tarceva is working the way I've been told it is, I am truley fortunate. No matter how severe the side effects, if I go into remission it is all worth the pain and agony. God Bless you and your family members.

Did any of the joint pain that was experienced happen in the ankles (from the Tarceva)? Was there swelling? My mom seemed to being doind well (pancreatic tumor removed, clear margins, lymph node involvement so they did chemo, radiation more chemo, then Tarceva (since it was approved for pancreatic cancer). Anyway, she got a mild rash but we then noticed swollen ankles and her confusion level is up. The confusion could be anxiety and age related but we are trying to figure out what is related to what. I am afraid the swelling is related to kidney damage from the radiation. Curious about the swelling from Tarceva. She has been off of it for about 12 days.

I am a 50yr old school teacher diagnosed just over 2 years ago with non small cell lung cancer which matastized to my brain. No symptoms, found early,etc. After brain radiation and then chemo I started on Iressa and 7 months ago was changed to Tarceva. The rash can be furious and most annoying as mine has traveled all over my body at some time. Currently my face is just awful but the children in my class and my school know I have cancer and don't care what I look like. Children can be such great support. When I lost my hair, my kids wanted to sign my head.
I have an appointment with a dermatologist next week to see if he can give me something for my horribly dry skin.
Next step, a PET scan to see if my tumor is "dead". It will be. It has to be.