Tarceva

I have been reading about Tarceva.  Why do all articles say Tarceva is

a "second line treatment"  I have had one radiation treatment and no

chemo. 

I have had Tarceva as a first line treatment as had a friend of mine. We are both at 2 years and counting with stage 4 lung cancer. Because we have tolerated the Tarceva and not had to face debilitating chemo regimens, we have had not only the time to experience great joy and fun in our lives but our immune systems have been to help in the fight. Find a doctor who will help you fight your insurance company if need be.

Hi,

My mother was part of a study for Dana Farber using Tarceva as a first line of treatment.  She had a lobectomy when her cancer was stage 1a, but it came back.  She had not had either radiation or chemo when she went on Tarceva.  You may want to try to see if you can be part of that study, but I think the radiation treatments might prevent you from being a candidate.   Roz

I believe that Tarceva is a second line of treatment because it is not proven to work all the time. I know chemo and radiation does not always work either but with the Tarceva they do not even know how to dose it.  My father has had chemo, and radiation until he can no longer take the chemo anymore, so the second line was the Tarceva because it is not as harsh as the chemo.  Unfortunately he can not take the Tarceva anymore either but the Doc did tell us before he stopped that they are not even sure if it works or how to dose it.  I do know someone that seemed to worked for though. 

 

Thanks for the info.   Will keep in in mind.  Seeing the oncologist thursday and also, going to a Cancer Lifeline meeting.  The meeting will hve a Dr., guest speaker, also can talk to him

talk to him.

I believe that Tarceva is a second line of treatment because it is not proven to work all the time. I know chemo and radiation does not always work either but with the Tarceva they do not even know how to dose it.  My father has had chemo, and radiation until he can no longer take the chemo anymore, so the second line was the Tarceva because it is not as harsh as the chemo.  Unfortunately he can not take the Tarceva anymore either but the Doc did tell us before he stopped that they are not even sure if it works or how to dose it.  I do know someone that seemed to worked for though.