Tarceva

My husband has stage IV lung cancer.
Non-smoker and 55
He has been on tarceva for nine days and is experiencing the tarceva rash.
It seems to be getting worse.
I have been told that treating the rash with Clobetasone Butyrate Eumovate Cream by GlaxsoSmithKlyne might help or Clindamycin.
Has anybody experienced anything else that would help this rash?
We thank anyone who would return a reply.
Candu

My husband also has stage 4 lung cancer. He also did not smoke. He was 44 when he was diagnosed. He has been on the clinical trial for Tarceva for almost 2 years. He is physically doing pretty well. He has the rash you spoke of also. He found the creams and ointments really did nothing to help. Sometimes the rash is bad and sometimes it is hardly noticeable. He has some problems with diarrhea and stomach pains. His primary tumor is about 1/3 the size it started out and the bone tumor is not showing up on any of the scans, and shows no activity on the PET Scans. Good Luck to you and your husband. Remember to try and have a positive attitude, it really does make a difference.

Tami

My wife was just diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, non-smoker also. She has been on Tarceva for 10 days, we noticed it was a little bit easier for her to breath as of day 7. Can you tell me did your husband see a big difference in his lung capacity over time with the Tarceva? Your so right about the positive attitude. Any additional comments on the drug? Thanks, Patrick

I am sorry to hear about your wife. My husband has never had breathing problems. We were very lucky to catch the Cancer when we did. He thought he had broken a rib riding his horse. When they did the ex-ray they found the tumor in his lung and one on his rib. Did your wife also have chemo? Mike had a round of chemo when he started the Tarceva. The chemo really seemed to help shrink the tumor in his lung and kill the one in his rib. God Bless you and your wife. Remember miracles do happen!!!

Patrick - I have been on Tarceva for approximately 45 days. I have noticed an improvement in my breathing. My breathing improvement is not getting better as each day goes by but just a noticeable difference than before I started taking Tarceva.

Hope this helps.

dotdot

I have been on Tarceva for over 4 months with the normal side effects of rash, diahrea,and the ends of my fingers splitting open. I just had several CT scans and a PET scan and there is no evidence of the nodules that previously showed on the scans in both of my lungs. This is not a cure, but if it can shrink the tumors so they no longer show, I am happy. I am a non smoker who had a lobe of my lung removed a year ago with 4 rounds of chemo following the surgery. Everyone thought all was well, then at the 3 month check-up I had a lot of small nodules in both lungs. Was told Tarceva was my only option. I never have had diminished lung capacity so I notice no difference there. It seems to be doing what it is supposed to so I can bear with the rash (which comes and goes in severity) and the rest of it.

My husband has been on Tarceva, carboplatin, taxol and avastin for 24 days. Lung- stage IV.
We have seen a change in his coughing....but not a dramatic change.
Has anyone experienced a change in their cough?
It is the only thing that really wares him down.
Please reply,
Candu