My husband was diagnosed stage 4 NSCLC with EGFR 21 exon L858R in Sept 2022. He started Tagrisso end of Sept 2022. The size of tumor before treatment was 3.4x2.2 cm, Nov 2 CT showed 2.8x2.2 cm, Dec 14 CT showed 2.9 x2.1 cm. He also had large pleural effusion from the beginning without change. Basically no improvement in the past 6 weeks. He felt better than before treatment with minimum symptoms. Is Tagrisso working in his case? We are disappointed that there is no continue shrinkage for the tumor. Do you think adding other treatment such as chemo, to Tagrisso would help ?

Hi, my mother was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma with brain metastases 15 months ago. After all the analyses, it was determined that he has a mutation for which he is suitable to take Alecensa-Alectinib. After the initial use, her condition improved drastically. An intermediate CT scan from more than a month ago shows progression at one point, in the primary tumor. Head metastases are smaller. So, oligoprogression is at one point. We are a little disappointed because we read that Alecensa works for up to 37 months.

Hi Grace Readers,  I want to share a newly published post written by one of our board members, Nancy Sladicka.  It covers most of the most important basic tips and tricks needed to become your own advocate in cancer care. 

Maybe the most important reason to have this info is because medical oncologists, even those who specialize, can not keep up with fast moving changes in every facet of the care and treatment of their patients. 

Diagnosed 2018 with a malignant pleural effusion - no solid tumour. EGFR Mutation and have been on Osimertinib since.
The last week I have right side discomfort and the past day or so pain mid/lower back (right side) mainly at night.
Breathing is OK.

There is not a ton of info available for Cholangiocarcinoma, so seeing information come up with new developments is always exciting.  In this video, Rachna Shroff MD, chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at the University of Arizona Cancer Center in Tucson, AZ, highlights novel therapies for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and opportunities for utilization of precision oncology and the development of targeted therapies for genetic alterations in patients dealing with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. 

My mom (age 66) was diagnosed with late stage NSCLC last week... metastasis to brain and through to scalp across skin. Has anyone experienced this metastasis? We haven't even been able to address treatment - waiting on spine MRI. This is all happening quickly.