Tarceva

My mother is starting on Tarceva today. She wants to know what to expect regarding the acne. Is severe enough that she wouldn't want to go to her grand daughter's graduation? What happens if you need to discontinue the drug - what then? Has anyone had to do this? Are there other treatments that have worked if radiation or chemo isn't an option? How long has anyone been on it and how often do you have scans? Thanks - we need to hear it from folks who have taken it.

I've got adnocarcinoma of the right lung (reoccurrance after 2 years)I've been on 150mg a day of tarceva for 30 days and never broke out in rash. Doc just upped it to 250 a day for last 10 days and started a mild breakout on my nose. I know of one other guy on a trial who did 1500 a day for 3 days and then 150 a day and is in remission and only had a pimple on his nose. I hope this helps. tell mom go to the graduation and don't woory about her complextion, everyone will think she looks great anyway...

I have been on 150 mg of Tarceva for about 7 weeks. The rash never got too bad, skin is real dry and some pimples and red areas, but not too bad. Make-up (and I don't use much) covers it. I wouldn't care what the rash was like, I'd go to the graduation. I have a worse time with the split skin on the ends of my fingers. Pretty painful and slow to heal. I had an X-ray after one month and the nodules had not grown, hadn't shrunk either. I go back monthly for X-rays. Don't know how long it will work, but according to the drug web site, it isn't real long. I wish your mother luck and will add her to my prayer list.
Haven't heard of anybody taking more than the 150 mg. why were they given such high doses and what did it do to them?

My former husband is an ER doctor. He always told patients the best solution to splits in the tips of the fingers is to use super glue. We have used it for years. It fills the deep fizzures and there is NO allergic reaction. As the skin heals it pushes the glue out. Also it creates a barrier against water, etc that really burn. Please give it a try-it will help SO much. Thanks again for emailing me back regarding my mom. No one has been as honest with us as you have about how long we can expect the Tarceva to help. It is kind of funny you know, we want information about how successful the drug is but no one will give us a time frame. Thanks for helping and get some super glue.

Thanks so much, now that you mentioned that I remember having heard it a number of years ago for any small cut. Never thought to use it in this situation. Here is the drug company web site for Tarceva. I printed it out and took it to the oncologist with things I had questions about and he explained. It is a little confusing for us laymen. http://www.gene.com/gene/products/information/oncology/tarce

My Mom was on Tarceva only about a few months. She didn't have any significant side effects except nail splitting. CT- Scans showed growth. The drug didn't work for her but it might work for your Mom. Her oncologist says the drug hasn't been out long enough for any patient to have shown marked improvements through scans or x-rays. This drug only prolongs for another year or two if in end stages. The thing we need to remember is that we are all very different and react to drugs differently. Doctors are dealing with science, which is imperfect. They aren't always going to have all the answers. The important thing to do if you or anyone you know is uncomfortable with what a doctor is telling you, seek another doctor's opinion. As far as alternative treatments go, I would personally stay away. Everything I have read about alternative says you shouldn't take it for terminal illnesses. My Aunt was diagnosed as stage 2 Lung Cancer at the same time my Mom was diagnosed stage 4. My Aunt had surgery, a great chance at full remission and then refused chemo and radiation but rather took alternative medicines (what I don't know). She was dead in 6 months. My Mom takes chemo, was given 6 months and is still here 2 years later. God Bless you and your family.

You know, I really appreciate your honesty. I agree with you 100% regarding the alternative therapies. I have known in the back of my mind that Tarceva will only help (if at all) for just a few months. My mother has little kidney function and radiation burns from previous breast cancer treatment. That is why they put her on Tarceva. She had a lobe removed three years ago for adenocarcinoma and now we have multiple tumors in both lungs. So Tarceva is her first line of treatment this time. I am unsure if she is terminal or if the doctor has chosen this treatment because of limited options. God bless and thanks again.