Need Help

Hi ,

My dad is 72 yrs. Old, he is diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma of Lung on first week of December 2007. The cancer has spread to brain. He is a non smoker. Doctor started 150mg Tarceva and Radiation to brain. Cancer is also spread to some part of stomach. My dad’s doctor is recommending radiation for the stomach and continues 150mg Tarceva. When we took second opinion the doctor did not agree on Radiation, she is thinking it is too much for the Stomach she thinks he should immediately start on Chemo. We are confused, should we go for radiation and Tarceva or no radiation but Chemo.? Please help. We are very close family, my dad has maintained positive attitude, he is a born again Christian. Also are there any suggestions about Diet etc. Thank you.  

 

That is a decision you will need to make, no one can make it for you. You will always wonder if you've done the right thing. Tarceva is a chemo drug and is being used more and more. I have had very good results after being diagnosed as stage IV in August 07. If it were me, I would try the Tarceva by itself for 8 weeks, get a repeat CT scan and then possibly start with radiation. My onocologist is not using radiation until I develop pain due to the mets to my bones. Why use something that will destroy tissues early in the game and then not have something to fall back on?

 

On 1/23/2008 Nancy3 wrote:

That is a decision you will need to make, no one can make it for you. You will always wonder if you've done the right thing. Tarceva is a chemo drug and is being used more and more. I have had very good results after being diagnosed as stage IV in August 07. If it were me, I would try the Tarceva by itself for 8 weeks, get a repeat CT scan and then possibly start with radiation. My onocologist is not using radiation until I develop pain due to the mets to my bones. Why use something that will destroy tissues early in the game and then not have something to fall back on?

 

Thank you so much for your response.