New Member with NSCLC - 1264326

sb0957
Posts:5

Hello,

Great site! I wrapped up 4 sessions of carbo/taxol in May. A CT scan on June 3rd shows lung tumor shrinkage, liver looked OK, and bone disease appears to have progressed. Onc started me on Alimta today.

My question is if Alimta as my second line therapy doesn't benefit, what options would be available after that?

Thanks!
sb0957

Forums
Full Archive

Reply # - June 10, 2014, 10:38 AM

sb0957
Posts: 5

Sorry - should have included this:

Feb 2014. 56 yr old female non-smoker. dx NSCLC Stage 4 Adenocarcinoma with mets to liver and bone. EGRF and ALK negative. Four treatments of carbo/Taxol - added Avastin to last two. Xgeva once a month.
May 2014. CT scan showed lung tumor shrinkage from 3cm to 2cm. Liver looked good. Onc believes there is progression in bone disease.
June 2014. Begin Alimtra - administer every three weeks.

Reply # - June 10, 2014, 11:10 AM

JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi sb0957,

Welcome to GRACE. Congratulations on the tumor shrinkage, and good luck with Alimta!

In the U.S., the FDA has approved three drugs for use in second-line treatment of NSCLC: Alimta, Taxotere and Tarceva. There are also drugs which have proven activity in first-line therapy, but which have not been as thoroughly tested nor approved as second-line regimens, such as Navelbine and Gemcitabine. In addition, there are many clinical trials of novel agents that may be used.

Dr. West has written an FAQ on second line therapy here: http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/10/04/lung-cancer-faq-2nd-line-nsclc-o…

I'm hoping that Alimta keeps your cancer in check for quite a long time so that you will not face a treatment-change decision any time soon!

JimC
Forum moderator

Reply # - June 10, 2014, 07:13 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Sheri,

Jim provided the key information and a link to a good summary. If you have follow-up questions, just let us know.

Good luck with Alimta (pemetrexed).

-Dr. West

Reply # - June 10, 2014, 07:13 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Sheri,

Jim provided the key information and a link to a good summary. If you have follow-up questions, just let us know.

Good luck with Alimta (pemetrexed).

-Dr. West

Reply # - June 11, 2014, 07:47 AM

sb0957
Posts: 5

Hi Judy,

I went back to my notes and found I tested negative for EGRF and ALK.. It's nice to be able to log into Mayo and look at Doc notes and test results. I use Mayo for second opinion and consultation. My primary is John Stoddard in Des Moines.

Maybe I should start a new thread for this, but does anyone have pain at the lower area of their rib cage? I don't know if it's from the bone disease or chemo.

Thanks!
Sheri

Reply # - June 11, 2014, 05:28 PM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

I wouldn't espect this from chemotherapy, though I suppose it's possible. If there's a bone met nearby, that's probably the more likely culprit.

-Dr. West

Previous PostNext Post