I am glad I found your website! My husband was diagnosed 9/2015 with stage IV NSCLC. He has been found to have an EGFR mutation, apparently one that is not receptive to Erlotinib for any length of time. I believe it is a 20 mutation.
So far: one round of chemo: taxol and carboplatin. Pretty rough! He wound up dehydrated and needed fluids five days after the chemotherapy. Bill is a non-smoker. Probably 3 more chemo sessions. We live at 8,100 feet above sea level and his pulse ox is good: 92-98! BP normal.
Ultrasound today looked good around the aorta & heart. He did have a sever plural effusion in Sept. Ok with that since it was drained.
Tumor: top of lower lobe of L Lung. some in sternum, also quite a bit in lymph, R side of neck. Since chemo: shrinkage of lymph under L arm. He is very tired, still has good appetite.
I wonder if any of the 2nd generation meds for any EGFR issues can help and hopefully produce fewer side effects; just seeking some ideas.
We'd like to seek the best options possible.
I greatly appreciate your feedback.
Mary
Reply # - October 20, 2015, 08:54 PM
Hi Mary,
Hi Mary,
Welcome to Grace! I'm so sorry your husband has been diagnosed with this awful disease but glad you've found us. I hope Bill does very well for a long time. I'll start this conversation by saying that taxol can be difficult to handle and if needed a change/substitute can be made so he is able to continue with treatment. Other drugs being used are gemzar, alimta (if it's non squamous), and navelbine.
I don't want to speak out of place here so will wait until tomorrow for a discussion on 3rd gen EGFR TKIs though I do believe they are most beneficial to those with acquired T790 mutation which usually appears after benefiting from tarceva for a long time. We have a lot of info on the subject so you might want to do a Grace search.
Two immunotherapy drugs have been added to 2 line treatment options.
Take care,
Janine