On 7/10/2009
Iwillsurvive wrote:
My husband was diagnosed w nsclc in 1/07. He had a right pneumonectomy followed by one round of Taxol/Carbo. Chemo was discontinued due to toxicity & infections. 2/08 scans showed mets to left lymph nodes and brain. He underwent whole brain radiation, followed by SRS and Temodar. He also started tarceva.
Now, he has recurrent brain mets. His drs. tell me that the best chances for him are with Avastin and Irinotecan. However, they don't feel he'll survive the Irinotecan so have started him on Avastin as a single agent.
Has anyone out there had success with Avastin, as a single agent, for brain mets? We have some very hard decisions to make this week. Looking for your experiences.
Thank you.
To: Iwillsurvive,
Sorry to hear of your situation. I am in stage 4 of nsclc and have been for 6 years, so there is hope.
I've used many chemo drugs over the course, but Taxatere always worked the best. Mine started in my left lung and had already matasisized to my lymph nodes ( the ones in the middle of my upper chest and has now gone into one rib and the sides of my neck). The rib really is painful unless I'm on chemo is which case the pain always goes away. I am a non-smoker and always have been.
I have never heard of Temodar or Irinotecan. Tarceva and Xeloda (both oral chemos in pill form) were tried, but neither did much to shrink the tumors. So a new doctor put me on Avastin and Taxatere together. The tumors in lung shrunk and the ones in my neck went away entirely. Here is the kicker......Avastin is NEVER used as a single agent. This was told to me by the doctor as well as the Avastin web site. (just google "Avastin" and it will pop up). That is why they can never tell if the Avastin is doing the job, or whatever the other chemo is....is doing all the work. Not only that, but
the doctor neglected to tell me he was charging $37,000 per treatment for the Avastin drug. I had done chemo for 6 years. I knew what to expect, but certainly not this!!!! My insurance is on a group plan with my employer. Genentech, which is the mfg. of the drug was appalled at their charges and paid an allowance toward the bill. We are working this out and I have changed doctors. Be very careful!!!!
They are trying a new drug "Alimta". I take it every 3 weeks in my port and it only takes 10 minutes to take. Slight nausea,but anti-nausea pills take care of it. Does make me very tired, so I know my white cells dropped, but haven't seen blood test results yet. I've only had one treatment, but my hair will get a chance to grow back. I will have 2 more treatments, then another pet scan. I go to work every day and take care of my own yard work so I'm doing ok for a 62 year old broad.
I hope this will help you in some way. Good luck on you treatments. Thank God new drugs are starting to pop up. It was pretty bleak back in 2003 when my mess started. We've come a long way,baby!!!!
Sincerely,
Forever hopeful in Texas