An update on my father’s immunotherapy for his lung cancer.

[Vip1]

Hello , an update on my father’s immunotherapy for lung cancer. Would really appreciate any thoughts , insight or experiences.

Especially, but no only, those which can give my father some further hope.

My father was disagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer around 10 months ago.

He started on chemo but was switched to immuno after 4months. The switch was because he had an infection under chemo which the docs were queried worried could have been lethal if it hasn’t have been dealt with when it was. Pretty hairy stuff / worrying.

He’s been feeling generally all ok under the immunotherapy. Has put on some weight , is walking a few thousand steps a day , which is great , & generally feeling pretty good, esp having a little granddaughter around to play with / entertain him!

However , recent discussions with the oncologist have been less promising. The cancer has spread. There’s a spot on the adrenal gland , they suspect is cancer , and the pleura around the lung effected has thickened .

He's continuing with the immunotherapy for now and then they'll reassess and do a scan. To see if any change in how he's responding to the immunotherapy.

Any thoughts, comments, bits of insight from your own experiences would be really appreciated.

Thank you

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Vip1

Sorry to hear about your dad and understandably a difficult and stressful time for you all. Hope he continues to be well on the Immunotherapy and his next scan will be more encouraging for you all. Hope you also hear some positive feedback from others who have experienced the same on the forum.

As you know, everyone can respond and react differently to their treatment, and it often is a case of waiting to see what the next scan shows.

If you would like to discuss anything you can call our free nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail]

Kind regards

The Roy Castle Support Team

[Vip1 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for your comments and the details provided

[Cockailschemocancer]

Hi VIP1 - I would be researching all the treatment lines approved by NICE for your dads specific cancer? Can he have another chemo? Is targeted therapy an option? Is radiotherapy or cyberknife an option for the new cancer areas? If at any point you’re not happy with any information you can also ask for a second opinion? Wishing you all the best of luck x

[Vip1 in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

Thanks very much Cockailschemocancer. Chemo looks off the table and we're awaiting a a 2nd opinion discussion. Fingers crossed on that. Interesting comments there on the other treatment options you mention; I'll ask about them for sure. Thank you again for your help during this difficult time.

[simlut]

So glad your dad is feeling pretty well and has put some weight back on.

If the immunotherapy alone isn’t stopping the cancer, maybe your dad could ask his Oncologist if he could possibly add a maintenance chemotherapy drug in with it? It would be less harsh than the initial chemotherapy your dad would have received.

My lovely dad passed away after his cancer continued to spread on immunotherapy only.

Keeping everything crossed for your dads treatment to work xxx

[Vip1 in reply to simlut]

Thank you Simlut . Really sorry to hear about the loss of your loving Dad. Thanks so much for the comment on looking into maintenance chemo. Will ask the consultant about that for sure.Many thanks again

[Hidden]

Hi I just wanted to send my best wishes and hope that your Dad is doing ok.

[Vip1 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much EyeDD