chemo pill? info needed please

carolyn · Regular Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 18

My mom is 86 diagnosed w/stage3or4 lung cancer w/mets in lymph nodes. We are considering home health and the chemo pill, which is supposed to be a milder form of chemo. My mom is very small and frail and also has emphysema. If you have any info or personal exerience with this please let me know. Thanks, carolyn
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carolynf

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2851

Hi Carolyn,

The pill you are talking about is probably the novel targeted drug Tarceva. This has far fewer side effects then traditional chemotherapeutic agents, but still can be somewhat challenging.

Side effects are skin related -- sores, cracking, etc. and diarrhea. There ARE people here who have experienced these and again, I hope they jump in. The rash typically sets in around day 10 and the prevailing thought is the worse rash reaction, the more likely the Tarceva is working. That did hold true for my husband -- he had minimal reaction and his cancer rapidly increased while on this treatment. Others have gone for 2+ years with stability or shrinking before becoming resistant.

Here is a link to the manufacturer detailing symptoms: http://www.tarceva.com/patient/taking/effects.jsp

Good luck!

PBJ
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Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

melkissa

I can't offer any input, just wanted to give you my best wishes. Hope the chemo pill works for her.
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My dad was diag w/nsclc stage 4 & mets to spine & hips on 11/08 at age 43. Large mass on R lung & collapsed L lung. No surgery so chemo & rad 5d/wk. No results. 4/09 rushed to the hospital b/c breathing issues. Hooked up to o2 & treated for infection. Released when o2 levels were good w/help from Hospice at home. In Hospice as of 6/2/09. Passed 6/10/09. Missing you forever daddy.

carolyn · Regular Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 18

thank you for the imput. I am so sorry about your dad.......
The DR are telling us that they recommend the intravenous chemo weekly instead of the pill due to a bad rash that usually accompanies the pill. I am still very concerned about the side affects due to her age and size. We are home starting today and have signed on with Palatable Home Health Care. Not sure what to really expect, but are optimistic and very hopefull. God is good, and we a praying for the best--His plan....

Any one that has experience with this pill, please let me know what you think.

thanks, carolyn
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carolynf

carolyn · Regular Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 18

thank you for the imput. I am so sorry about your dad.......
The DR are telling us that they recommend the intravenous chemo weekly instead of the pill due to a bad rash that usually accompanies the pill. I am still very concerned about the side affects due to her age and size. We are home starting today and have signed on with Palatable Home Health Care. Not sure what to really expect, but are optimistic and very hopefull. God is good, and we a praying for the best--His plan....

Any one that has experience with this pill, please let me know what you think.

thanks, carolyn
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carolynf

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