Now have prognosis.

[Bluemooncity]

My partner has now been told he has months not years as not only has he got stage 4 lung cancer but he has tumor in his windpipe, lymph nodes in stomach an d chest wall. He does not want chemo but we asked about immunotherapy drugs. Can anyone tell me if they prove successful in extending time and what the side effects can be. Thank you.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Dear Bluemooncity

Welcome to the forum and so sorry to hear about your partner and how difficult this must be for you both.

Immunotherapy helps the body's own immune system to recognise and destroy the cancer cells more effectively. It only works in those that have certain proteins present in their cancer cells, which can be detected at biopsy. Although not a cure , it can perhaps provide more time, and for some, the drugs can be well tolerated.

This link is to our leaflet on this: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

One of the Immunotherapy drugs is called Nivolumab and the potential side effects can be found at Cancer Research UK: cancerresearchuk.org/about-....

There is another treatment called targeted therapies, but only those who have certain cell mutations would be eligible for this treatment. This link is to our booklet on this: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

There are some encouraging accounts from those living with lung cancer and can be found on this link: roycastle.org/campaigns/lik...

If you are looking things up on line, we would advise you to look at our own website, Cancer Research UK: cancerresearchuk.org or Macmillan support : macmillan.org.uk

Do take care of yourself as it can be quite a stressful and tiring time for you, make sure you have plenty support for yourself.

If you would like to discuss anything you can either email us at [e-mail] or call our freephone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Bluemooncity in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you so much. Your reply is much appreciated.

[Manninmaid]

Very sorry to hear about your partner’s diagnosis and appreciate that this must be a very difficult time for you both.

I have stage 4 lung cancer with bone mets. Diagnosed February 2016. I have had chemo, radiotherapy, receive denosumab injections to help protect my bones and, since December 2017, have been receiving pembrolizumab immunotherapy.. I didn’t carry any of the mutations to make me a suitable candidate for targeted therapy and wasn’t an ideal candidate for immunotherapy, only having the PDL1 expression at 5%, when it tends to be most effective on those who have it at 50% plus. I have been fortunate though that it has kept my disease stable. The main side effect has been severe skin irritation when I first started on it, which was sorted with oral steroids. It has been much easier to tolerate than the chemo.

If your partner is a suitable candidate for this treatment, I would definitely recommend it.

Sending you both very best wishes and positive thoughts. x🌻

[Bluemooncity in reply to Manninmaid]

Thank you. Keep well.