Stage 4a NSCLC

[Shelbywi]

Stage 4a NSCLC. Any thoughts on different treatments? My mom is currently on gemcitabin and carboplatin and even though these are showing signs of working I was wondering if anyone else has had any greater success with other treatments?

[sisymay]

My mother has this also. What does the 'a' mean? Dr hasn't said anything about that.
Dr told her that Xalkori works better than chemo. She couldn't handle chemo. The xalkori didn't have side effects for about 3 weeks. Now the side effects are worse than the chemo. She has been taking it for 2 months and yesterday dr. said she has 30 to 40 % improvement. He told her to stop taking it for 2 weeks, and if any of the side effects don't stop, that means there are other problems. But I think it's dangerous to stop it for 2 weeks? This will make the cancer worse I think. Does the meds your mother is taking causing any side effects?

[Shelbywi]

In stage 4 there are two mini stages stage 4a which is bad in itself and 4b which is pretty much terminal by my understanding. And I wouldnt stop taking it...Im not sure its dangerous to stop it for two weeks but I would ask your doctor.

[Spouse]

Hi. I cannot find an online medical reference to there being in lung cancer either Stage IVa or IVb (although a/b is in other stages of lung cancer). This site gives basic staging info: http://www.livestrong.com/article/11...s-lung-cancer/.

Can someone give more info on Lung Stage IV a/b? I don't think there is that staging option, but I've learned that there is so much more for me to learn!

[dano]

HI Shelbywi, For the most part Stage VI is Stage VI, the differences to the patient and the caregiver are nothing. I started on the same treatment but it only worked for a couple months. I switched to Alimta and that has worked ever sense. You don't want to try every chemo in the book, stick to what works and be happy.
God Bless
Dan

[Shelbywi]

HI Shelbywi, For the most part Stage VI is Stage VI, the differences to the patient and the caregiver are nothing. I started on the same treatment but it only worked for a couple months. I switched to Alimta and that has worked ever sense. You don't want to try every chemo in the book, stick to what works and be happy.
God Bless
Dan

I was told by my moms oncologist stage4 has two seperate stages. hmmm.....thanks though lol

[Spouse]

I was told by my moms oncologist stage4 has two seperate stages. hmmm.....thanks though lol

Buttttt, as I mentioned earlier, I cannot find any online info that says lung cancer has an a/b component. Maybe the oncologist was not being clear in what s/he was trying to explain? I think stage IV lung cancer is sadly just that .... stage IV.

It might be helpful to get this figured out so that you can have an understanding of the disease progression and treatment options. Good luck and keep hopeful.

[Shelbywi]

I called my moms oncologist and was infact told it was stage 4a. So I dont know if she has a different way of analyzing the last stage or what. Oh well. Its still stage 4 no matter what. and stage 4 is well...stage 4

[Spouse]

The lung cancer 4a/4b staging has me searching the internet for info. I'll start a new thread asking about it, so I can hopefully learn more.

[dano]

Hi, There are technical differences between 4a and 4b,but what I was saying it doesn't matter to the end user here. In fact there is little difference with 3a, 3b or 4, it only matters to technical sources, not the end user. Either can go bad quickly or go very well, the best thing is being non-small cell over small cell.
Dan

[Spouse]

I've got my mind stuck on trying to learn what is the technical differences between 4a and 4b lung cancer. Anyone know a source? "Too technical" for the patient/family doesn't work well with me. ;L Thanks.

[Shelbywi]

I've got my mind stuck on trying to learn what is the technical differences between 4a and 4b lung cancer. Anyone know a source? "Too technical" for the patient/family doesn't work well with me. ;L Thanks.

Agreed, Ill be asking more this thursday when we go for treatment. Funny I never thought it would bug me this much. lmao

[Spouse]

I think my "need to know" is because without a full understanding of the situation, there is a fear that an opportunity for a treatment option might be passed up because I did not know enough to ask about it.

[dano]

Hi all, I have looked ed it up in the past, and the oncologist I have that is a straight shooter, said that there is no treatment difference between 4a or 4b or even stage III. The biggest deal is has the cancer left the initial landing site such as the lungs where they feel they can control cancer better. But it is common for the doctors to go in remove lobes and say no more cancer and months later you have it again. I personally feel better knowing I'm in a long war being aided by doctors that know it and we fight it to the end.
God Bless
Dan

[Lorieliz]

I am in agreement with dano. Once you get to Stage 4, the differences are immaterial to the person who has cancer. Treatments can vary based on certain markers, but these are not included in the Staging.

I am also a type A personality and understand your "need to know", but what you might consider is that you are better off taking care of the person and not the disease. I am relatively certain that all the expertise in the world comes nowhere near being as helpful as a hug or a shoulder. Your family member doesn't need yet another doctor. They need YOU. The fact that they have C A N C E R is more than sufficient reason to be scared, and the fact that they are still alive is enough to do what you need to do...love, support, comfort and listen.

Believe me, I understand the initial frenzy to have all the answers, but you are wasting your time. Time that could be better spent on the here and now. You can NEVER have all the answers and the doctors won't either. They just have their best guesses. Let them deal with that. You have more important things to do.

Hugs and hope,

Lori

PS - if I sound like I am being a bossy boots, please understand that I am speaking from experience. Let go of the "know" - you can't count on it anyway.

[dano]

Bossy Boots?? I can see Loves and Kisses, But not Bossy!. . What a great friend you are Lori. I think the biggest thing that happened with whole 4A and 4B thing is the doctors that came up with the concept may have gotten a write up in the American Medical Journal and were quite impressed with themselves really.
Dan

[irish]

Lori, you expressed this cancer journey with a loved one so well. Stage 4a or 4b....still stage 4 with all its ramifications. If you trust in your medical team...it frees you up to just love and support the person with cancer. I too spent alot of time researching and trying to find the answers. I used to do it all when my Dad was sleeping so I wouldn't be taking time away from him. In the end all I did was exhaust myself and all my research didn't change a thing. I found more helpful information right here on the forum than I did with any research...practical advice I could use to better take care of my Dad and keep him comfortable. Advice on how to take care of myself so I wouldn't burnout in the process and most of all I found hope and inspiration here on days that I felt I couldn't go on much longer. So thanks Lori for getting right to the heart of the matter and talking about what's really important on this journey. God Bless.
Irish

[Spouse]

I am also a type A personality and understand your "need to know", but what you might consider is that you are better off taking care of the person and not the disease.

I am able to do both, really, entertain my "need to know" and take care of the person. We weren't even three months into this when I found that having exacting details was what got our foot in the door regarding a possible trial. Of course, all the while, I try to keep in mind:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

Peace and Health to all.

[irish]

Ahhhh....the Serenity Prayer, you'll never know how many times I used it to get through.
Irish

[Shelbywi]

I find the more i know the more i can help my mom. I dont think its at all overwhelming at some points in my life but there are days when knowing all of this is harmful because i know i want to help but i cant. gahh. I love the serenity prayer.