Dad has non small cell stage 4

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

My Dad was diagnosed in November with non small cell lung cancer, stage 4. There are 4 tumors, 2 on each lung, and he can't have any of them operated on because he has bad emphysema. He started Tarceva in March, went for a CAT scan this past Saturday, and today we just got the results...the tumors actually grew, Tarceva didn't work. He has an appointment next Wednesday night with the doctor to discuss chemo treatments. Does anyone know the name of the chemo where you don't lose your hair or get nauseous. My Mom went to a support group and there was a man there who had this chemo, but my Mom didn't write the name down. Thanks all in advance!

skylabel · New User Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 3

Hi,
My mom aged 49, ws diagonesed with stage4 non small cell lung cancer, with primary tumour on a right lobe of the lung, and it metastasised to the brain. She's had two operations - one on the brain and one to remove a lobe of the lungs (lobectomy, which has weakened her greatly).

She's now on a drug called Iressa (generic name : gefitinib) Docs are still in the process of testing for a particular gene to see if it would be appropriate to continue with Iressa. It requires prescription and costs about USD65 each (it's all about profit-maximisation unfortunately)

Meanwhile, I'm not pinning hopes on anything but safer to avoid all meats, fatty food, sugar and excessive salt. Also I've found that there are a couple of things which may actually have some truth to it:

1. PSK, PSP Mushrooms (aka turkey tail). Chinese call it Ling Chee.
2. Watercress

I can post a few links if you'd like:

It's super-tough for all my family, and I'm an only kid. Despite the despair, keep strong and positive...My thoughts are with you.

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

I should have said my Dad was just 66. I'm so sorry to about your Mom and my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family. My Dad's hasn't metastasised. His primary tumor, which was 6cm (not sure what it grew to now) is on the lower lobe of the right lung. He can't be operated because of the severe emphysema. I hate to say, but I do believe once surgery is done it does weaken the person. I'm going to tell my Mom to speak to the doctor about Iressa. How does your Mom feel on it? It is amazing how much these drugs are. My Dad's Tarceva was almost 7000.00, but thankfully it was fully covered.

Please do post links, I'd love to read anything positive. I just ordered this book, I heard alkaline food and supplements help a great deal too:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1556434812/104-6537776-3387129?v=glance

I feel for you being an only child, I'm just like one myself. My brother is NO help at all, he's an alcoholic. My parents found out Tuesday the Tarceva didn't help, my Mom was a wreck waiting for my Dad to come home to give him the news, and my brother was drunk all day. I couldn't even go be with her as I had to wait for my son to get home from school. Stay strong too, we need to be there for our family!

thomas · New User Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle

I have heard that cba pharma has developed a new drug called cbt-1 that works really well against drug resistance against chemo thereapy.

www.cbapharma.com

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

Thank you Thomas, I printed out the information to bring to my Dad's doctor Very Happy

thomas · New User Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle

THeir drug CBT-1 is a treatment for cancer that has developed drug resistance to chemo. I believe they are in phase 3 for lungcancer and phase 2 or 3 with a few more cancer types. Good luck to you and your father.

read about the trials here:

http://lung-cancer-trials.com

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

I tried calling the two numbers listed, but neither are available. My Dad is going for a chemo treatment Thursday night, so he'll ask about it. Thank you very much for all your information and help! Very Happy

thomas · New User Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle

Try the www.cbapharma.com website. I have heard that they have had really great results with this drug......

thomas · New User Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle

Call the Saint Joseph Health Care Research Center and ask about the CBA Pharma Clinical trails with lungcancer.....

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

I will call tomorrow!

thomas · New User Joined: 28 May 2005 Posts: 8 Location: Seattle

Any luck? Some info on their Phase 3? Question

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

As of now my Dad is taking Gemcitabine and Carboplatin, he will do a second treatment this month and then go for a CAT scan.

dss · New User Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 6

I went to the www.cbapharma.com website as suggested. They are now recruiting for phase III trials for CBT-1. I could not find information on the results of phase I and II?

My Dad also has stage 4 lung cancer. He is getting radiation for a metasis tumor near his hip. He also started Chemo for the lung cancer with a both taxol and carboplatin. I want to keep current on what drugs are available in case there is something better that what he is taking.

adr22367 · Experienced user Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 78

Did your Dad try the Gemcitabine with the Carboplatin? My Dad takes this and his tumors just shrank very little, but still shrank.

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