I have been recently diagnosed with Stage IV NSCLC. My doctor has prescribed Tarceva (150 mg). I just had my first "re-staging" visit on 7/1/05 and learned that my lung tumor has shrunk approximately 10% - YEAH! Although Tarceva is working for me now, I have read several articles indicating that a combo of Tarceva and Avastin works really well at shrinking lung tumors. When I asked my doctor about it, she said that it was not an "approved" therapy yet and that insurance would not cover it until it was "approved" - the results in the articles were "preliminary". My doctor also told me that Avastin costs approximately $33,000 for a month's supply - which, obviously is cost-prohibitive for anyone without insurance authorization. Is anyone taking this combo? If so, how were you able to pay for the Avastin? How are the results?
Thanks!