tarceva - cancer drug

does anyone have experience with non-small cell lung cancer treatment with tarceva? I'd love some feedback

PLEASE don't move to health - much more traffic here (thank you!)

Message edited 6/14/2013 10:23:30 AM.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

My mil was on it and she had a great response to it.

tarceva - cancer drug

My mom was on it, but I can not comment on any kind of a response to it.
I was told that it is a very well tolerated and effective medication.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

I do promotional work for a competitor drug, Xalkori, made by Pfizer. I don't have knowledge of Tarceva but from the testimonials I've read about Xalkori, it's a great drug. Might be worth looking into. GL!

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

MIL was on Tarceva, along with a bunch of other chemo agents during her 4 year battle.

Keep in mind that everyone's cancer reacts differently to the drugs. Tarceva may work for one person but not the other.

From what I remember, the side effects were very mild. Some tumors continued to grow while others were either shrunken or eradicated. She did two months on it, then went back to IV chemo drugs.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

thanks all. my FIL was diagnosed with end stage non-small cell lung and started tarceva about a month ago. just looking for BTDT insight

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

My mom was on tarceva- she responded well for about a year and then stopped responding to it.

She did some other clinical trials. Then she did chemo.

She successfully fought stage IV non- small cell lung cancer for about 2.5 years until she passed away last month.

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I wanted to update this for those who may search for a "tarceva" related post down the line...

We (he) is now 4 months on the drug and so far, has responded well. His cancer spread immediately to his brain, pelvis and vertebrae but that was pretty much before he began on Tarceva.

Initially, he was a wreak as a result of the pill. BAD stomach issues, awful acne all over but both of those subsided within 1 month. His hair has thinned.

Physically he has lost a bit of weight but besides being tired, feels OK. He is living as much as his body will physically let him which I am comforted by.

Unfortunately, the body does become immune to the effects of Tarceva so he will begin chemo infusion along with the pill for the next 3 months. Then back to the pill alone.

I PRAY that we have many, many more months with the good quality of life he is living. We knew going in that his life expectancy was 6-18 months and we are 6 months in at this point.

Message edited 10/2/2013 9:59:05 AM.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

can anyone tell me if their loved one had the mutation or not? We're seeing the Oncologist tomorrow and dad doesn't have the mutation and I'm wondering if it would be something he could take.

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Message edited 10/16/2013 4:28:20 PM.

tarceva - cancer drug

My mom passed away from lung cancer in 2007. Off topic but we do a walk every year in the city through LUNGevity to raise money for research for this underfunded, under researched disease. For those affected it's worth looking into and joining.

http://events.lungevity.org/site/TR?fr_id=4171&pg=entry

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

Posted by maymama

Posted by Blu-ize

can anyone tell me if their loved one had the mutation or not? We're seeing the Oncologist tomorrow and dad doesn't have the mutation and I'm wondering if it would be something he could take.

yes, my FIL does have the mutation. He just had another cat scan yesterday, no NEW growth he began chemo infusion (IV) along with the pill today.

A coworker's mom was also diagnosed with non-small cell the same week as my father in law. She does not have the mutation and is being treated with traditional chemo - also at the Monter Center (like my FIL) just sent you an FM

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

My mom did have the EGFR mutation.



ETA: I think- but I am not sure, that Tarceva seems to work best when you do have the mutation- but I may not be remembering correctly.

Message edited 10/18/2013 1:16:32 PM.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

So happy to hear that his side effects have subsided somewhat and he is living to his fullest extent. He will be in my prayers.

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Re: tarceva - cancer drug

update part II - not as happy.

Another 4 months have passed and things have begun to spiral out of control

Chemo went well November/December. We had an amazing holiday season, thank god! Last week, my FIL began having horrific abdominal pain. Turns out the cancer has spread to his abdomen and 14lbs (7L) of fluid were removed over the past 6 days.

PET scan shows new growth in his liver, hips and brain among spots in nearly 10 other areas.

He began infusion chemo again yesterday but, we are not so hopeful this time. The growth is just so fast and furious at this point.

His spirits have dropped, he has started shutting down mentally. Of course some days are better than others. We are planning for the inevitable at this point but we are keeping him occupied and as comfortable as possible.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

I am so sorry to hear this about your FIL.

When we learned the cancer had spread to my mom's liver, we were told she had a few months left. She died though 8 days later due to pneumonia in the lung. I am grateful that she only had two days of true suffering at the end.

I will be praying for your FIL.

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final update

my FIL passed away on Saturday, 3/8/14 surrounded by family. He fought hard but it was his time

Thanks ladies for all the help over the past year!

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

I am sorry to hear that FIL passed away.
Prayers for your family.

Re: tarceva - cancer drug

I am so sorry to hear this about your FIL. May he rest in peace.