After 10 mnths on Afatinib my tumour regrew.My consultant described it as behaving atypically. Does this mean it has changed to small cell.

[sally70]

NSCLung cancer changing to small cell.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Did they do a new biopsy?

Unfortunately, this rare transformation does happen. There is a Facebook page for EGFR patients that have experienced it. It’s called:

NSCLC with SCLC Transformation. People there have shared their experience with treatments. It’s a small group but you may find some answers.

[JanetteR57]

Atypical as I understand it means it isn't behaving as might have been predicted unless the biopsy shows a change of type (some tumours do have more than one type but it is rare) and there is also a specific type of cancer called atypical carcinoid (also rare) so always ask your clinician what they mean when they don't use terms that can be understood by patients. most of the time they think they are explaining not always appreciating that the vocabulary may as well be another language to most of us. good luck.