Hi to any that can help, new to this ... - The Roy Castle Lu...
Hi to any that can help, new to this site. Does anyone know the success rate of Iressa, compared to Tarceva or they much the same/
I only have experience of using Iressa I'm afraid. I have been using it for 14 months now and for me it has been very successful, no change in my disease, no progression of it that is and hardly ever cough. Side affects include nausea and tiredness and sometimes acne but for me it has been a god send enabling me to live normally for the past year or so. I know others that have been on it for 2 years plus by now and are still doing well. Hope this helps
Joewarren
Thank you for replying, I am on Iressa at moment, just finishing 3rd cycle, due to see oncologist later this afternoon.Had ct scan last tuesday, so they will give me news if it is working or not. Feeling a little sceptical though. Heard another patient on a different site say that they have had 50% reduction in their tumour while on Tarceva so just wonder if it is a better drug. Your experience has given me a lot of hope.Staying positive,
susanroe
Hello Susan
I hope you have had a useful appointment today. I have attached our factsheets on iressa and tarceva, which may answer some of your questions.
There are a number of forum members who have experience of these targeted therapies. It may be worth "Browsing by category" to see some of the previous posts on these subjects.
Decisions on individual treatment options will depend on the specifics of your tumour, the treatment regimes available and how these impact on you and other health factors. You should have been put in touch with a lung cancer specialist nurse, who can help you understand treatment options relevant to you.
Do let us know how you get on and if we can offer other information,
best wishes
Lorraine on behalf of the Information & Support Team
roycastle.org/Resources/Roy...
roycastle.org/Resources/Roy...
Hi to all, I have good news after my appointment with oncologist yesterday,3 months on iressa and my tumours have shrunk considerable he said, Wow, i was really pleased and a little numb as I had in mind convinced myself that it wasn't working. There was a bit of infection showing on ct scan so have anti-biotics now. Looking forward to hopefully a few more years on my allotment.
Hi
My mum has been on Tarceva for two months she had CT scan two weeks ago and after two months her tumor has reduced fluid gone on lung thickening of lung gone and nodes looking more normal, her bones are healing as well but she feels like crap!! this is the side effects she is on the highest dose for as long as she can tolerate it, there is tiredness rash comes and goes in different area's but for now its been much more succesfull than the chemo so fingers crossed it keeps doing its job.
Good Luck
Em
Hi Em. Thats very encouraging news about your Mum. I started Tarceva beginning of February but developed a horrendous rash and was taking 150 mg. Had to stop until it cleared but then started again on very much reduced dose and have now increased to 75 mg per day which I am tolerating although do still have rash and other side effects. I am very nervous of having a scan but feel more hopeful after reading your post. Thanks for that and good luck to your Mum. Ali x
Hi Ali
The rash comes and goes its usually a good sign things are working! Mum just had another CT and its now difficult to tell if its just scar tissue or tumor she does not have to go back for another 2 months! whoop whoop she will continue to take forever, she has lost a couple of toenails has curly hair the most amazing eyelashes ever all this thanks to Tarceva and its weird side effects, but shes here and shes living with Cancer and they never gave my mum much hope in the beginning but shes proving all the stats wrong so I wish you all the best xxxxx
My husband has been on Iressa for 6 months, has minimal side effects (rash flares up a bit) and the tumours are shrinking, he is back at work part-time, his bones are healing so walks with a stick. Considering he has Stage lV and it's incurable we think it's pretty amazing. I'm sure people would be surprised that he has lung cancer. I would rather have a doctor that was thorough and cautious. I know the waiting is really hard, but always best to have all the information. Good news about your mum Em. Sandra x
