Anyone on here with stage 3 squamous cell? If so, what treatment are you receiving? I don't understand why some people get chemo and others get Opdivo when you consider the differences in them and the promises that Opdivo is showing. Can someone please help me out here? Also, how many of you are being treated at Cancer Centers of America vs. Other cancer centers?
CindynGene Ferrell
C
i don't have that type of cancer but just from reading about opdivo on here it seems like you have to do chemo first before being considered taking opdivo.
My husband was part of the study. He was required to complete the chemo routine prior. I realize there are variations. We used the Mayo Clinic
My mother in law is stage 4 and has had chemo before the opdivo. The opdivo worked a little and now she's starting a new drug.
Misty Boyer what other treatment is your mum having please !! and what type of cancer does she have x
She has stage 4 non small squamous cell. I'll ask what the name of the new meds are when she gets home.
Misty Boyer Thanks would like to know, I have nssc stage 2b
If I'm not mistaken it's the step system. You have to do the other first. When I started my treatment, opivo wasn't approved yet.
Platium based chemo until it no longer works before being allowed opdivo,
You need to have been unsuccessfully treated with a platinum based chemo first, and then you are eligible for Opdivo.
How do you know if it is platinum based? My chemo consist of 2 drugs: Taxol & Carboplatin
Carboplatin is a platinum based chemo (as is Cisplatin).
Carboplatin is a platinum based chemo.
Your oncologist should tell you and surely you know what your taking !!
Do not be surprised when not everyone know all the details of what they are taking. For some people getting their heads around it all is so difficult that details are impossible...
Georgia Ritter I would always ask before allowing anything going into my body although its hard to get your head round you dont just accept it there are always options
It is good you feel this way, but we all have our own way of coping. That is something I have learned.
jean , that wasn't very nice.
Patti Sumner what was, nt very nice !!
Have the same cancer. Same chemo plus radiation at the same time. Could have gone to OPDIVO but wanted to have surgery to remove tumor if possible. Chemo and radiation worked for me and will have surgery in three weeks to remove all damage cancer caused (lung and several ribs ). Will be cancer free after that. I'm not sure but was told if I start OPDIVO other options are very limited.
Thank you, Lee. I had wanted to ask you what stage yours was. Eddie's surgeon seems sure surgery will still be an option once chemo and radiation are done. You give me hope.
Everyone doesn't handle this the same, some put their trust in their Doctors. Some folks want t deal with things as the come to them, and not all the possibilities they can read on line. There is nothing wrong wit that!!!
They don't want to operate on mine because I only have 10% lung capacity. I had a different type of lung cancer 19 yrs. Ago and had the upper right lobe removed and had chemo and radiation afterwards then.
I've heard it's the insurance companies. They won't pay for Opdivo until you are no longer responding to the platinum-based chemo treatments.
I want to thank everyone for helping me understand some of this and all your input!! Prayers for everyone! Let kick this monster's ass!!!!!!!!!!!
My mom had stage 3. Idk which cell. She did carbo and taxol chemo cocktail
Ashleigh Odell. How is she doing now. How long ago did she have treatment. I am doing chemo and I have had 16/30 radiation treatments so far. Tomorrow will be chemo treatment #5.
She did 12 weeks of chemo once a week and 7 weeks of radiation. She's in remission now. Had the mass removed in August. Due for rescans in a couple weeks.
Opdivo would've been the back up if she didn't respond to chemo well
Ashleigh Odell My only downfall is that they can't operate.
They told my mom the same thing Bc her lymph nodes in her chest were affected. But chemo helped kill off those cells.
Cindy Wilson, like Christine Crain, my oncologist explained to me, Opdivo is not given until Platinum-based Chemo has been tried and proven unsuccessful.
Thank you! I will ask what her plan is then, if this doesn't work. I love all the input. It helps us to know what questions to ask.
I would like to apologise for my outburst on this thread due to one person who i felt was bullying and critasizing me without being decent and asking first,,,, What i had said was said with no malice towards the person and all of a sudden this person came at me like a vulture, This is not what this is about we are all in the same boat trying to help and advise each other, and basically she should be ashamed of herself,
Jean Curtis, while I don't know any of the particulars(& I really don't want to)I have only received helpful, gracious comments and advice since this past October when I joined this awesome group. I would venture to guess, those who have made mean-spirited comments are likely to be unhappy, scared, frustrated or playing an unforgivable prank. Either way let's pray for them to get a grip and a life!
I did not come at you like a vulture, I said "that wasn't very nice" so just stop it already and read the thread. I do not appreciate your name calling. I have never seen such a reaction to being told "that wasn't very nice. Pretty sure you are confused about who was nasty. STOP ALREADY!!!
I have nothing to be ashamed of.
My husband's oncologist explained to us that every person's cancer is different. There may be some similarities but that is determined from the biopsies. The mutation of the cells is what tells the Dr the information he/she needs to choose the chemo recipe for the patient. There are many factors taken into consideration. I sound like an expert but I'm not -- I just take a lot of notes at my husband's appointments.
I'm being treated at Kansas University Medical Center. Great med center. I have stage 3b inoperable. Took radiation and chemo at the same time. It shrank a little over 50%. Not on anything now just being monitored right now. Still no change this all started 2 years and 3 months ago. Sending prayers to you.
Sandra Puckett May I ask you the reason that yours was inoperable? They said mine was because I only have 10% lung capacity and would be too risky to survive it.
They said mine had gone to far and was too close to the second lung. Did not want to take any chances of it spreading there.
Ok thank you!!
Sandra Puckett, How big was the tumor when they started treatment?
I really don't remember I was in such shock when they told me everything just went blank after that except when they said it was inoperable. Sorry I can't remember. Prayers to you.