Greetings from Thailand!
I write to seek advice. My dad has been diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC (Adenocarcinoma) - metasis to lymph nodes, in October 2004.
He has completed 6 cycles of Carbo-Taxol Chemotherapy. Pet Scan in February 2005 revealed only slight reduction in the original 8X5X4cm tumor on the right side of the lung. Some activity in right hip was also noted (about 2X2cm).
He is currently taking Iressa (in his second month) which, according to a study showed that the chances of it having an effect is higher for Asian with Adenocarcinoma, but even higher for female non-smoker (my dad was a smoker). It is still too early to tell whether Iressa is working out for my dad.
Questions:
1. How can we know for sure that the "activity" in the Pet Scan on ther right hip is cancer?
2. Should radiation be considered at this stage?
3. What about chemo-radiation at this stage?
4. Did anyone experience swollen ankle when taking Iressa? How can swollen ankles be reduced without medication?
5. If Iressa does not work, what is the alternative apart from going back to chemotherapy?
6. If my dad do go for chemotherapy, are we limited to second-line chemotherapy drugs such as taxoltere and the new alimta?
7. How effective is alimta?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions.
Hope to hear from you.
Christine