tarceva

how can i get doctor to prescribe tarceva for inoperable lung cancer with secondary brain cancer has recieved one chemo session for lung then 5 radiotherapy for brain...help??????

[michelle_smith]

My mom passed away on April 2 from lung cancer.  Before that she was on Tarceva for about a year and it worked AWESOMELY.  I guess, however, that it only works for a period of time before it stops working for you.  She had to go to a research hospital (UCSD in her case) and she became part of a trial.  I don't believe it is officially approved yet.  

[louise123123]

hi ,sorry to here bout ur mom ..did she have lung and rain cancer to or just lung ? my doc said no to tarceva cause it spred to brain i was wondering maybe was this the same as your mom?

[michelle_smith]

When my mom started the Tarceva, she had cancer on her lungs, liver and brain.  She had radiation on her brain and along with the Tarceva, that cleared up.  It also took away the tumor on her liver and two of the tumors on her lungs.  The other two tumors on her lungs shrunk in half.  I hope this helps.  Like I said, she had to go to a University hospital and join a clinical trial.  Her first doctor read her scan and gave her 6 months to live and said have a nice day.  She lived for another 18 months when she joined the trial.  

[louise123123]

hi my dad have been given months also he had radiotheraphy to brain i live in uk and doc wont give me tarceva it to expense to buy he has appointment with oncology doc next week so i think ill try him i pleased the tarceva worked so well with ur mom i wud give anything to get same time with dad thanks for lettin me no

[michelle_smith]

Any news on the Tarceva?  Was your dad able to get it?

[louise123123]

hi we seen doctor he said he wanted to try chemo and if it didnt work they wud try tarceva as u have to fill certain criteria for getting tarceva ,, so have to wait and see , chemo making him weak ,,so who knows,, thanks .