hobbes
![]()
Posts:12
My husband is going to be starting on avastin in addition to tarceva (which he's been taking for a couple of years) to try and slow the progression of a couple of small BAC lesions. The avastin infusions will be done locally and our local doc has recommended that he get a port which he'll be having implanted in a couple of weeks. Since he's still taking the tarceva, should he stop taking it for a few days before the port is implanted? I know he would really prefer local anesthesia for the implant procedure but does his taking the tarceva make that any riskier and should he consider having general anesthesia? Thanks so much for all of the help.
Forums
Reply # - April 17, 2013, 06:14 PM
Reply To: Local or general anesthesia for port plus tarceva?
The port placement is a rather minor procedure. I can't foresee any reason to discontinue Tarceva before and/or after this.
I would also say that the small but real risks of general anesthesia aren't justified in this setting. I have never heard of a patient needing or getting general anesthesia for a port placement.
-Dr. West
Reply # - April 17, 2013, 09:52 PM
Reply To: Local or general anesthesia for port plus tarceva?
Thanks Dr West for the speedy reply and all of your help.