Tagrisso + Carboplatin and pemetrexed

[SwimmingInTheSun]

Hi all,

I'm pretty new to this. Had a thoracotomy in July to remove a 1.6cm(ish) tumour from my upper left lobe. Upon investigation my surgeon found unexpected lesions on the lower left lobe (that did not show up on the PET scan) and it seems that there are 'snowflakes' in my right lung too.

Anyhow, now I am on Tagrisso. Which is treating me well enough, some dry skin, some upset tummy but really it's going well. In our last meeting, my oncologist discussed adding chemo with Carboplatin and pemetrexed to (possibly) extend the effectiveness of the Tagrisso.

Apparently, this is based on some clinical trials that are showing extended effectiveness.

Since it seems rather new this may be a long shot, but has anyone had experience with this combo of drugs? Or TBF any combo of anti-cancer drugs.

Thanks in advance for. Just looking forward to being well as long as possible.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi SwimmingInTheSun

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you have lung cancer. As lung cancer treatments are progressing, it is not unusual to have a combination of cancer drugs.

Research has shown that there are improved outcomes when using chemotherapy with Tagrisso. Tagrisso is used for non small cell lung cancer specific to the EGFR cell mutation.

This link will take you to information on Carboplatin and Pemetrexed from Cancer Research UK: cancerresearchuk.org/about-...

There is a great patient driven charity specific for those who have the EGFR mutation, they provide support and up to date information: egfrpositive.org.uk/

We offer support services, either one to one phone support or online support groups through zoom, you can view and register for these through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... alternatively you can email our coordinator Ellen Knapp at [e-mail]

This is the link to our information booklet on chemotherapy: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

Hope you hear from others in the forum who have had similar treatment.

You are welcome to contact our ask the nurse service, free phone [phone] Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at [e-mail]

All the very best

Ask the nurse support team

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

[SwimmingInTheSun in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you for the thoughtful reply and the links to info and support. I will check them out.

Also it still seems weird for someone to link lung cancer to me (re: you nice comment 'sorry to hear you have lung cancer.'). I guess it is still settling in.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to SwimmingInTheSun]

It is indeed a very difficult time for you and i am sure it must feel as though you are on a roller coaster without time to digest what is happening and all the information you are being given. You have taken an important step already , reaching out for information and support , I wish you well and hope you receive all the information and support you require to get you through .

[monkeygirl62]

Hello SwimmingInTheSun, I just started chemo, this week, with carboplatin and etoposide and doing well with it just some diarrhea that started yesterday so I am just taking over counter Imodium. I am not on any other lung cancer drugs outside chemo. (I have stage 4 metastatic breast cancer too, with mets to lungs, liver, right adrenal gland and left ovary, all shrinking and the liver ones gone, so I am on one cancer drug letrozole for metastatic breast cancer). I am also doing radiation. And after 4 cycles I will be done. 3 more cycles of chemo to go. And after that it'll be immunotherapy. And I will probably be back on my cancer drug Ibrance for the stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I had the breast cancer diagnosed August 2nd last year, before having limited stage small cell lung cancer. This just got diagnosed in July because of one tumor that wasn't shrinking with the breast cancer drugs. I know that hair loss on the chemo drugs I am on are a given unfortunately. I have a wig and hair turbans ready for when it occurs. Is your oncologist going to do radiation also? And how many cycles of chemo is your oncologist going to do? Will it be a low dose chemo to tagrisso? Hugs 🤗 Alicia

[SwimmingInTheSun in reply to monkeygirl62]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. You have a LOT going on. I can't imagine how that feels. My oncologist is suggesting four rounds of chemo over about 3mths and then ongoing maintenance chemo less frequently ( I actually can't remember the time frame - think I kinda blacked out, lol).

I already have diarrhoea with the Tagrisso (Osimertinib) so I won't be loving if that gets worse. I was told I should not have hair loss which is an upside, I guess.

Again, thanks for sharing your story. I hope the treatment is effective for you without too much discomfort.

[monkeygirl62 in reply to SwimmingInTheSun]

Hello SwimmingInTheSun, thank you for replying, yes, it's a lot to handle for sure. I understand the blacking out part, lol. Just wondering are you limited stage? I opted for chemo and radiation because I didn't want to do surgery with having mets for stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. You are brave to do surgery. I am basically a chicken when it comes to that, I was concerned about downtime with surgery. I hate having diarrhea from cancer drugs. It's bad enough when I have too many jalapenos in my burritos. Lol. The most annoying thing is daily radiation. Driving back and forth for such a short amount of time. I asked to get it done twice a day for three weeks (that is a possible treatment) but the radiologist oncologist said no. I think it's my age why he wouldn't go for it. I think next round of chemo I am going to ask for a prescription antidiarrheal instead of just over the counter, just in case. Hugs and more hugs 🤗🤗.

[SwimmingInTheSun]

This made me laugh, 'too many jalapenos in my burritos.' Wishing you well. xx