Test results for markers in: Yesterday I... - Lung Cancer Support

Lung Cancer Support

3,990 members2,163 posts

Test results for markers in

JeanE41 profile image
10 Replies

Yesterday I got the results of the tests for markers on my original lung tumor. It showed an EGFR mutation. The good news is that if the new tumor shows the same mutation, treatment options are expanded. The bad news is that the medication my oncologist is suggesting is too expensive for me even with insurance paying 2/3 of the cost. We will have to discuss all options after my next scan in February. Meanwhile, will keep busy and keep researching the new treatments. Never know what will become available in the next 4 months.

Written by
JeanE41 profile image
JeanE41
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
10 Replies
ThePurplePlace profile image
ThePurplePlace

Be sure to check with the actual drug manufacturer, most offer assistance programs and some patients are eligible for free meds. Good luck

~ Lisa

uplockman profile image
uplockman

I found a nonprofit funding source here in Texas after a social worker gave me a couple places to get help. Check with your Social Services agency. I take Tarceva which is approximately $7600 a month and I ended up paying $5. The manufacturer also has funding. Hope this helps!

FtB_Peggy profile image
FtB_Peggy

Jean, if you still need help - we have resources for financial assistance, just email me at: pbezruki@freetobreathe.org and I can send those to you.

JeanE41 profile image
JeanE41

Thank you for all these suggestions. I will certainly look into them when it gets closer to February.

anrean profile image
anrean in reply to JeanE41

Jean, please don't wait until it gets closer to February. As you start working on it, other avenues begin to open up - it takes a long time sometimes to find the right fit for you. If you begin sooner, you may "fall" into the right option, but that takes time. For me it was years before "falling" into some of the help I needed!

Good luck on this new part of your journey!

Lauri-Anne

JeanE41 profile image
JeanE41 in reply to anrean

That is good advice. Thank you.

ThePurplePlace profile image
ThePurplePlace in reply to anrean

Jean, I totally agree with Lauri-Anne !! It's be very wise to work on all this now. (submit applications and contact the drug companies etc and find out what they will cover). That way you can have everything done and will know exactly what you'll be eligible for in advance. It takes time to submit paperwork and await for everything to be processed and approved.

PS: I am a bit confused as to why you are not starting treatment now? Why wait until February?

Lisa

JeanE41 profile image
JeanE41 in reply to ThePurplePlace

My original tumors were surgically removed in 2015. I had a lobectomy for adenocarcinoma and a breast lumpectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma. At this point, my current tumor is very small and its etiology is not known. It is very slow growing and too small to show up on a pet scan and located in a place that would be dangerous to biopsy, so we are waiting until February to see what the next scan shows. If it is large enough, further testing will be done to determine the next steps. My oncologist and I are quite sure it is a recurrence of the lung cancer. He had the original tumor from 2015 tested for markers just in case. I'm hoping that in February we will be able to determine what in reality we are dealing with and start treatment.

Denzie profile image
DenzieModeratorVolunteer

JeanE- the program that Lisa mentioned, that is offered by the drug manufacturer? They are very good about helping. It's great that this is also egfr. Which med will you be using?

JeanE41 profile image
JeanE41

The egfr marker was found in the tumor removed in 2015. The current tumor has not been biopsied yet and probably won't be until FEbruary. If this tumor has the same marker and is not a metastasis from my breast cancer in 2015, he is talking about using Tarceva. It is good to know that there is help out there. Thank you for your info.

You may also like...

Pet Scan results are back

cope with this type of news ? have any one had this treatment on there lungs , just wondering the...

Sharing the good news of my scan results

real good with words. But wanted to share my good news to hopefully give someone some...

EBUS results

first appointment with Oncologist. Hope to get staged and discuss treatment options. I remain...

To be, or not to be...NED. That is the question -William Shakespeare and me 😂

into treatment. Treatment this time would be the trial drug (it’s no longer a trial ....available...

First Targeted Adjuvant Therapy for EGFR Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (stage IB-IIIA)

inib-adjuvant-therapy-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-egfr-mutations