Is Tagrisso working?

Wendyye
Posts:2

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 ?

Thanks,
Wendy

Wendy, Caregiver
Forums
Stage IV NSCLC

Reply # - December 15, 2022, 07:53 AM

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 651
GRACE Community Outreach Team

Hi Wendy, welcome to Grace. I'm sorry your husband and you are going through this. I understand the wish for the tumors be shrinking but smaller then stable is great and can last as long as one that continues to shrink.

The goal is to keep the cancer from progressing or becoming symptomatic. To do that you want to use one treatment for as long as it works and side effects are manageable. That way you'll have a backup for as long as possible.

I hope that makes sense. Let us know when questions arise and keep us posted.

All the best,
Janine

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

Reply # - December 15, 2022, 01:18 PM

Wendyye
Posts: 2

Jannine,

Thanks. Your message is much comforting.

Wendy

Wendy, Caregiver

Reply # - January 4, 2023, 10:23 AM

Amy B
Posts: 13
Executive Director of GRACE

Hi Wendy,

Thanks so much for reaching out to us, and you're in great hands with Janine, our Forums Moderator, who is a wealth of information! Lack of growth is definitely encouraging, if even you're not seeing a lot of shrinkage right now. Please feel free to connect with us here if you have any more questions that we may be able to help you with; we're here for you and your husband and no question is too big or too little.

Amy Bickleman, Executive Director GRACE

Executive Director of GRACE since 2017. Joined GRACE to ensure that all patients and caregivers are empowered to obtain equal access to education about treatment options.

Reply # - December 17, 2022, 12:18 PM

JanineT GRACE …
Posts: 651
GRACE Community Outreach Team

You're very welcome! A lot of times the best comfort is knowing you're already getting the best treatment plans. Come back anytime to ask a question or share your experience and knowledge with those who stay in the wings and read.

I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.

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