When to stop the chemo?

[Ina3]

Hi everyone. I have good news on my Dad. He just did a PET/CT and the doctor told that the tumor has diminished and two cycles of chemo reacted very well. She decided to add immunotherapy Keytruda now and continue with the same chemo for additional 4 cycles.

I wanted to find out is there an end for the chemo? When do doctors decide when to stop the chemo fully? I would assume lung cancer does not dissapear, does it? So, what is the sign to relax a little bit? How long do we continue immunotherapy and how often does he need to do the PET/CT? While i read a lot things about the lung cancer now and thanks to everyone in this forum, learnt so many things and heard so many encouraging stories, i realized that I don’t know much on what’s next?

Thanks

ina

[Jenniferroseolson]

I have had more than 50 treatments of chemotherapy, approximately every 3 weeks. I was diagnosed stage 4 before keytruda was a first line therapy. The short answer from oncologists for stage 4 is if treatment is working, we Continue maintainance Chemo treatment. I do t know details for your stage or for immunotherapy, but “when can we stop” is the unanswerable question. I would love to know the answer.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Keytruda is still a relatively new drug and has only been in use outside of lung cancer clinical trials for a short period of time. We don’t know yet if there is an endpoint that can be pointed to and labeled the end. At this point if it isn’t causing a lot of toxicity, pneumonitis, or other potentially dangerous side effect and there’s no progression they will continue treatment to be certain cancer growth is suppressed. Jenniferroseolson’s experience is a good illustration.

If taking treatment every three weeks becomes overwhelming, perhaps you could ask about taking a break. I don’t know if they do them with immunotherapy but it can’t hurt to ask.

[OrangeSki]

Hi Ina,

I wish I had answers for you but I too am very new to this lung cancer puzzle.

It sounds like you have legitimate/valid questions! Write them down and discuss with the Oncologist or the Oncologist's PA...I can not speak of your physician's, but mine, especially the Onc PA, are patient with me when I come in with a list of questions....they listen and answer all questions as best they can....if the PA doesn't know the answer, she checks with my Oncologist is she is available....if not, they call me with answer!!

In the meantime, hopefully someone on this forum can give you an idea as to which way is up...I know if you are anything like me, you want answers NOW!! 😊

I am wishing you and your dad well. Congratulations on the good news...don't forget to bathe in the GOOD NEWS for awhile before going on to the next thing...good news deserves this.

Big Hugs,

Breezi