Mum had last treatment this week ( 2 years)...no spread some progression leading to breathlessness. Onc said radio after pembro is out of system ( does anyone know how long that takes?)
I guess that's the end of the line.....but I'm trying to be positive. There are many positive stories out there.... and new treatments coming through all the time.
Please consider getting a second opinion at an NCCN designated cancer center. If you cannot get to one there are members who will do a remote second opinion.
It’s my understanding that pembrolizumab can cause radiation pneumonitis. But medications have a half life so I would ask her doctor and the second opinion doctor how long she needs to be off if it before they revisit the idea of radiation -if it’s possible.
From what you have written it would seem she has only tried one line of treatment lasting 2 years. Is that correct? There have been 5 new treatments approved this month and alternate chemotherapies she might be able to try. That’s why a second opinion is so important.
She needs a doctor who will fight for her life.
Dear Denzie,
Thanks for your reply- I forgot to add in 2017 she had 4 rounds of chemo and 10 sessions of radiotherapy. Immunotherapy was second line (2018-2020).... can she have another biopsy for new mutations? What new treatments were approved this month?
Many thanks for your passion and interest. Nadia
Hi, Nadia! The Go2 Foundation has a person on staff who can help you find treatment or clinical trial options. Their program is called Lungmatch. They know who would be the best option for a remote second opinion and which hospitals will do it. (Not all do).
go2foundation.org/resources...
Was the immunotherapy given by itself or was it given with a different chemo? Did she have a new biopsy before the immunotherapy?
Because she has already had radiation you will need to find a facility that offers proton therapy. It can be given to treat tumors previously treated by traditional radiation. Because it’s a different energy type -proton vs gamma ray- you do not run the risk of causing a secondary cancer. If it’s something she would have to travel for, many hospitals have low cost housing.
You can scroll down your home page to an entry by Miranda_Go2. Click on her picture icon and it will take you the individual entries she made about each one.
Good news - Stage IIIB
7 days after chemo treatment 
Almost done with chemo radiation treatment 
Stage 4 adenocarcinom
