More lesions and his existing tumor have grown, is it possible that PD-L1 will s - 1289132

sillysuki
Posts:2

Hello, I am new to GRACE, my husband was diagnosed with bladder cancer in May 2010. On Sept 2014, they removed his bladder and prostate after several sessions of Chemo due to bladder cancer. They replace his bladder with a neobladder.
Last October, during his checkup, we were informed that two lymph nodes located on his lungs were growing. In November, he contracted a back infection and during this time we were advised to have a biopsy of his lungs but my husband wanted to wait until his back infection cleared because one of the doctors suggested it was probably due to the infection. They check again in February and the lymph nodes were still growing, long story short he had the biopsy in July. After dealing with various doctors and getting a second opinion we were informed that his cancer was a metastatic bladder cancer.
They delayed his chemo start date (August) because he had pneumonia and a kidney infection and ended up in the hospital, so we had to wait for him to get stronger. He started treatment, Sept 13, 2016 with ddMVAC. His body did not do well, more infections and other complications, after only one dose of ddMVAC it was stopped.
Now October 26, they started him on PD-L1, prior to starting him they had to do a scan to get a starting point on where he is. They found more lesions and his existing tumor have grown again.
Is it still possible that the PD-L1 can shrink down all the tumors? At this point, should we be thinking of other options? Our doctor is difficult to reach and my husbands appointment is not until next Wednesday when he goes in for his second treatment.
I appreciate any help or guidance that you can give us.
-Suki 8-O

Forums

catdander
Posts:

Hi Suki,
Welcome to Grace. I’m so sorry your husband’s cancer has returned. I know how difficult it is for a spouse. Immunotherapies targeting PD-L1 and PD-1 have shown to work for months even years. I hope your husband does very well on them. Chemotherapy is still the standard of care after immunotherapy. A clinical trial can be a good choice. Local therapies such as radiation are used if a tumor causes pain or obstructs vessels. If your husband does well on immunotherapy by the time he needs a new treatment perhaps there will be something new.
I hope your husband doesn’t need to look for options any time soon
Best of luck,
Janine

I trashed your the other post so we don't get confused.

sillysuki
Posts: 2

Thank you Janine, I appreciate your feedback and explanation. I pray he does too.
-Suki