Should she take more chemo or stop? - 1249046

hope1946
Posts:2

My mom was diagnosed of spindle cell lung cancer December 2011. She went through 4 rounds of chemo, first one cisplatin + taxotere and 3 taxotere only. During the 2 months of chemo break, her tumor grew 10 times and she receieved 14 rounds of radiation to control the pain and started on Tarceva in August this year. 2 months later, we found Tarceva had no effect on her. The tumor now has spread all over her right lung, right ribs and some part of left lung and adrenal glands. The doctor is now recommending more chemo and I'm also exploring the anti PD-1 trial Feisty used and worked for her. We need to act fast since the tumor is so aggressive. But she's so afraid of the side effect of chemo. Should I encourage her to take chemo and continue to fight or let her have some good time now? Right now, her appetite is at least good and pain is under control with pain killers, even though she continues to lose weight due to cancer. I'm torn by these two options. Please help!

Thanks
Chee

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Reply # - October 15, 2012, 05:34 AM

catdander
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Hello Chee, I'm so sorry your mom is going through this. We can lend support and give you information to help guide her decisions but we absolutely can't help by giving suggestions of what she should do. That is up to her and the doctors, and of course for you to weigh in on.

You've hit on maybe the most difficult of all decisions but it is truly a most personal one.

You noted that the cancer is very aggressive, I wonder if you've spoken to the onc about this and the idea of more chemo. The thought is usually if chemo keeps the cancer stable and the toxicity is acceptable then chemo is considered a good choice.
The trial you speak of is a good thought and if she is to try it it should be done now since she has been on only one chemo which I think is the limit for inclusion into the trial.

Please let us know of any specific questions you have. I hope she continues to have her symptoms well managed.
Janine
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Reply # - October 15, 2012, 09:51 AM

Dr West
Posts: 4735

Yes, unfortunately, this is a question that we can't address with any evidence. You can argue that chemo has more of a track record than a study drug, but in someone who hasn't responded well to prior chemotherapy, and for whom the study drug has a particular appeal based on how other, similar patients have done with treatments in the same class, I think it's very tempting to pursue the clinical trial route if it's accessible.

Good luck.

-Dr. West

Reply # - October 18, 2012, 01:45 PM

hope1946
Posts: 2

Thank you for replying. I was busy searching for more answers this week. We visited her oncologist in SCCA as well on Tuesday and he recommend me to put her on hospice. Should I do that?

Reply # - October 18, 2012, 02:00 PM

catdander
Posts:

Hi Chee, I'm sorry you still don't have an answer you understand. Are you able to get a 2nd opinion? Many health providers around the world provide that option. It isn't necessarily to give more treatment but to give you a better understanding of what is best for your mom.

We can't tell you what you should do. There is no way for us to know plus it is illegal.

This is a piece on 2nd opinions, http://cancergrace.org/cancer-101/2011/11/13/an-insider’s-guide-to-the-second-opinion/

and this is a piece on the benefits of hospice, http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2012/08/12/hospice-is-help/

I'm so sorry you're going through this,
Janine

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