Thursday...June 17th....2010

Big day today.....

Linda and Dave met with Dr. Sandler, Linda's new Oncologist at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) following a week off from her chemo infusion of Alimta and a CT Scan on Monday. Linda has been on approximately 10 rounds of Alimta...which is outstanding.....

Dr. Sandler reviewed the scan and reported the lung tumors were stable but there were signs of Lymphangatic Spread which is a spread of the cancer within the lung through it's lymph system. He indicated it showed up as a subtle change not easy to discern. He also indicated there had been prior growth (he had reviewed past scans provided to him) in the lesions on the T1 and T3 vertebrae but it appeared stable since the last scan.

The doctor indicated Linda could continue on the Alimta for another round or two or take a couple of weeks off to see how things are progressing or change to Tarceva (where we knew we would be going eventually). Linda asked him his recommendation..he said he usually saw people on Alimta for 4 to 6 rounds...Linda was far beyond that...and he thought it had done its best and now it was time to move on....he recommended taking another week off to recover from the chemo and then start taking the Tarceva....which is taken daily in pill form. Then after 4 weeks on the Tarceva, Linda would meet with him again to assess its effectiveness.

Linda agreed..being somewhat tired of the of the Alimta ..after about 10 rounds..she is excited and ready to move on..to try something else.

By the way, 30 pills of Tarceva cost $4, 337.05.....wonder why the need for the 5 cents?????

The Oncologist and then his assistant reviewed the taking of Tarceva and its side effects which includes a rash in 75% of the patients and diarrhea in 50% of the patients....both can be severe and they reviewed the care for each....

So next week Linda starts on the Tarceva and then sees the Oncologist in 5 weeks.....



What Is Tarceva?

Tarceva (erlotinib) is a pill you take by mouth to treat your cancer.

Tarceva is prescribed for patients with advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) who have received at least one previous chemotherapy regimen.

How Tarceva May Work

Unlike normal healthy cells, cancer cells grow and multiply out of control. Targeted treatments affect certain cell activities in cancer cells and some healthy cells. These treatments are designed to slow the growth of cancer cells and may shrink tumors in some patients.

Tarceva is a targeted cancer treatment. Unlike many other traditional chemotherapies, Tarceva affects certain cell activities. Tarceva is designed to block tumor cell growth by targeting the protein in your body called the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 1 (HER1/EGFR). This protein is important for cell growth in NSCLC.

If your tumor has not responded or if you have progressed after traditional chemotherapy, your oncologist may prescribe a targeted treatment like Tarceva.

Researchers are continuing to learn more about the different ways targeted treatments affect cancer cells. Ask your doctor if this treatment is right for you.
Researchers are continuing to learn more about how Tarceva works.

Benefits of targeted treatments

Many of the targeted treatments like Tarceva are pills. Taking pills by mouth is a convenient way to receive your cancer treatment. And while all cancer treatments have side effects, you may experience fewer or different side effects when taking a targeted treatment.

What you may experience

Targeted treatments affect everyone differently.