Tarceva

My understanding is Tarceva can stop growth, but not kill cancer. There are many inividuals who have a type of "remission" -the original cancer stops growing and no new locations are found. This can last for months, even years in some few patients.

 Unfortunately, It does not work for everyone; but is certainly worth a try if that is what has been recommended. It does have side effects you can read about in other postings in the Cancer message board.

On 2/4/2008 babeelover wrote:

Someone please tell me the truth about tarceva and what does it mean to take it for Pallative care. how long will it work? had Whipple but Lymph nodes were involved.

My dad just got through with a long bout of Tarceva for his lung cancer. This drug has many side effects to it, but for the most part it is really good at what it does. It did stop the growth of his tumor and he was in a state of "remission", however, he had to stop taking it a couple of weeks ago because it stopped working for him. He was already in uncharted territories because he had been taking it longer than anyone with his condition....so that's a good thing!!! Doctor's are still learning the effects of this drug, how long it will work....etc. I don't put it down at all and believe it to be worth using. Unfortunately with any chemo drug there are many ill effects to it, but for the most part they can really make a difference.

On 3/4/2008 Sterling wrote:

How long was your dad on Tarceva before it stopped working

Well I I"m not sure exactly. I don't remember the date when he started taking it. He was in remission for a couple months though so that was GREAT!! I think it's different for each patient. I know how hard it is to have someone taking drugs that we and doctor's are still learning about. For the most part, though, I think it's well woth it for them to take it. It really did help out my dad. I just hope that one day they will find a cure for it!!!! I'll ask my mom how long he was on it and let you know!! keep in touch :)

Kristen