Can I Know Your Views On The Line Of Treatment

Hi, I am Rajiv from India, Recently my mom got diagnosised with Lung Cencer ( Non Small cell lung Cancer) . Its Stage IV spread in both the lungs. But as per CT Scan and other scans , we have not found cancer spread in any other part of the body.

Docters are giving in first cyle the drug called Gemcite and Kemocarb through Chemo therapy .

Please advice me whether My mother is getting correct treatment. Is there any other treatment other then this .

Chemotheropy and Radiation are the traditional Lung Cancer treatments. I am not familiar with all the different types of Chemo, however you can find many things on the Web. A few other ideas - - - -

In November of 2004, a drug was approved by the FDA that may help your parent. The drug is called "Tarceva" or "Erlotonib" (most doctors call it Tarceva. If the drug works, signficant tumor reduction (or elimination) often happens. - - - - -

Tarceva is not a panacea for all lung cancer patients. It has shown to work better with adenocarcinoma, women,and perhaps most importantly the "never" smoker group. This is not to say the drug won't work on others (i.e. men or smokers), but sensitivity has been much higher within the group I mentioned. Another drug, that was not approved by the FDA but similar in results was called Irresa (or Gefitnib). Like with Tarceva this drug also showed significant tumor reduction. - - - - -

Finally, there is Avastin another drug. However, this drug is probably not an option (at least not yet) if the cancer metastisized to the brain.

Hope this help and best of luck to your parent.

thanks for your information, would consult my doctor about Terceva - I will also have to find out its availbility in India.

But Is Terceva ideal for stage IV Mat Ad Carcinoma which my mother has .


Rajiv

To answer your question see my post in the general lung discussion "entitled tarveva may have another success story."

My mom has adenocarcinoma, with a Stage IV met to brain. Based on my research on Tarceva, if your mom was not a smoker the chance of success is much higher. The Drug was approved in the US in Nov, 2004. And I believe also was approved in Europe. Another experimental drug actually the first to come out on this subject, is called Gefitnib also known as Irresa, which I personally believe is probably just as good, its just they got unlikely with a second clinical because they didn't test the right kind of people.

With both Tarceva and Gefitnib I think its an all or nothing type of thing. If it works it can work from 10months to 3 years.

Based on what you described, if your mom never smoked, I would recommend you try like hell to get your mom this drug because results could be very positive. From what you described your mom fits two of the key factors, mainly adenocarcinoma and she is a women. If she is a never smoker, I would say chances are Tarceva will work.

Also check out the internet the spelling of the drug is "TARCEVA" not "terceva" you will find many hits on this drug. It working miracles on my mom, how long is a big question, BUT for now it has provided not only relief from the cancer, but hope for everyone.

Good luck!!

Rajiv,

You might also investigate radiofrequency ablation. I think since
your mom's cancer is confined, that would be a good possibility. I
believe the hospital in Jackson, Mississippi has a specialty in it.
You could read about it on their website as a start. Also, I think it
is done in Germany fairly often.

All the best,

Angelica.