I was picked up on bout April 2014 with Adenosquamous carcinoma of the right lung 5cm = 54mm abutting the chest wall didn't appear to be invading it. also a small lesion in the upper left lobe so was told it stage IV and treatment would be palliative only with chemotherapy. They were unable to get a biopsy for testing so have ended up with Vinorelbine and carboplatin this was given once a week for 4 weeks then because of the response I had and no side effect they extended it for a further 2 weeks when I had the next scan it showed that my tumor shrunk to 16mm in the right lung and was 13mm in the left lung.
Next to my surprise they offered me radiation on both lungs (which they said they do not normally do) this is because of the response on chemo.
I had 4 weeks radiation with no side effects again. I had a Xray with a report of "Heterogeneous opacity in the right upper zone similar to prior. Possible subtle opacity in the central left upper zone. Heart mot enlarged. The pulmonary vasculature is within expected limits" (Not sure what all this means)
Haven't had a ct scan yet that will be in April sometime.
My question is=is there another therapy that would help me more I have read about the new brake through for squamous and think maybe there is something more for me.
I am in New Zealand and feel we are way behind in our cancer treatment, all I get told is that I can not be cured. I don't and will not believe that.
I look forward to a reply
thanks Katrena
Reply # - March 8, 2015, 08:48 PM
Hi Katrena,
Hi Katrena,
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but encouraged by what seems to be a good response to chemotherapy...your follow-up scan results look good, although I wouldn't put too much emphasis (either positive or negative) on the later x-ray, since x-rays lack sufficient resolution to provide much helpful information on response to treatment.
There are certainly other drugs which would be options as second line treatment if and when your doctors deem it appropriate, including Docetaxel (Taxotere) and Tarceva (Erlotinib). As you've read (and the GRACE post on the subject is here), the FDA in the U.S. has just approved Opdivo (nivolumab) for squamous lung cancer, but in your case you have a "mixed histology", with both adenocarcinoma and squamous components to your cancer. I don't know if Opdivo is available in New Zealand yet. The smaller the squamous component is, the less critical it would be to get such an agent. On the other hand, the larger the squamous portion the less attractive an agent such as Alimta (pemetrexed) would be.
Best wishes for good results on the CT in April.
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - April 20, 2015, 01:32 PM
HI I have had ct scan now
HI I have had ct scan now that has come back with slight growth right upper lobe pleural based mass and left upper lobe mass. Otherwise stable disease.
The right slight increase since 28/10/2014 was 25 x 20 mm, now 37 x 25mm.
the left minimal of posterior upper lobe lesion.
Everything else is clear.
We don't have nivolumab here.
They are saying to me wait a month see what happens as I am very healthy apart from this cancer, I am not sure if waiting is a good option.
Advise thoughts please
Reply # - April 21, 2015, 07:25 AM
Hi Katrena,
Hi Katrena,
I month isn't very long to wait if your doctors have a good idea of how things are progressing especially since you're in good health otherwise. A cm in 6 months is significant in that it's progressing but not so fast that it will be a problem to treat later. With that said, if you have new symptoms that arise before then it is important to call the cancer center to let them know of possible new problems. It's a matter of treating before you are too sick to receive treatment.
I hope you do very well.
Janine