immunotherapy

[Sally789]

just received the news cancer has returned. Next stage is a biopsy to see if I can have immunotherapy. Can anyone report success with this treatment ?

[Eglingham]

Good morning,Sorry to hear it has returned.

I had my right lung removed in 2022 but unfortunately I had a reoccurrence the end of 2021, I then had radiotherapy in January 2022 but another was found 3mnths later.

I started immunotherapy and chemo June 2022 and after the first four treatments a good result, I completed 2 years of immunotherapy in June of this year and have continued to remain stable.

I have had very mild side effects and continued to work full time throughout.

I hope this gives you some reassurance, stay fit and most importantly stay positive 🙏

Good luck with your treatment x

[Sally789 in reply to Eglingham]

Thank you so much for that, very encouraging to hear. Didn’t sleep a wink last night the stress is terrible.

[Eglingham in reply to Sally789]

You're most welcome.The waiting is very stressful and especially when you don't know what to expect.

Always here if you have any questions, this is a great site to help people on their journey. X

[kri312 in reply to Eglingham]

Wonderful! What are you on? EGFR+?

[Eglingham in reply to kri312]

Not sure what you mean?

[kri312 in reply to Eglingham]

what was the drug you took and did your cancer has a mutation?

[Eglingham in reply to kri312]

Metastatic lung adenocarcinoma-multiple right-sided, no mutation.Started on pembrolizumab/pemetrexed/carbonation, then just pembrolizumab for the final 12mths, completed treatment in June this year.

[kri312 in reply to Eglingham]

Glad treatment is over and wishing you many many years of stability!!!

[Eglingham in reply to kri312]

Thank you x

[Blue_hoops in reply to Eglingham]

What is the treat for immunotherapy and are there any side effects thankyou

[Eglingham in reply to Blue_hoops]

Hi,The treat?

Yes there can be side effects, everyone's experience is different but fortunately mine are very mild

[Blue_hoops in reply to Eglingham]

Thankyou

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Sally789

I'm sorry to hear your cancer has returned. This will be a difficult time for you and your loved ones. Immunotherapy is a successful treatment. While some drugs are used to kill cancer cells(chemotherapy, for example), immunotherapy drugs help the body’s immune system find, attack and destroy cancer cells.

Not everyone is suitable for Immunotherapy and of course everyone can be different both in their response and reaction to treatments. You might find this leaflet on Immunotherapy helpful: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

Hopefully others will share positive feedback on their experiences like Eglingham has, and support is available, you can call our nurse led helpline, details below. We also have a range of support services, from one to one support to online support groups through zoom , if you are interested in any of these you can register through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp... Or by emailing [e-mail]

Our campaign section provides encouraging accounts from those living with lung cancer: roycastle.org/campaigns/

The Maggie’s centres are a great place to have a cuppa and a chat, they provide practical, financial and emotional support; maggies.org/

I hope some of this is helpful, but if there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or why not call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600.

All the very best

Roy Castle Support Team

[Ellejayb]

Sorry Sally to hear this but there are many positive stories. I was diagnosed with incurable stage 4 NSCLC in January 2019 and came off immunotherapy earlier this year. Side effects were minimal for me so that’s nearly six years - and hopefully many more to come - of living a full and normal life. I wish you well and peace of mind.

[Sally789 in reply to Ellejayb]

Oh that’s fantastic, positive stories are just so wonderful. I’m just hoping it’s not too late for treatment. Still can’t believe it, was only June I had a CT scan which was fine then, 6 months later this.

Thank you so much for your reply X

[Leniko]

I was on Yervoy/Opdivo every 3 weeks, and my C125 dropped nicely. Then they put me on Opdivo only, and my numbers are climbing. I’ll keep you posted on what’s next.

[sassassas]

Hi Sally789

I'm sorry to hear your cancer has returned and very much hope you have the option for immunotherapy.

My husband was diagnosed in Feb '21 with stage 4 NSCLC, no mutations but a high PDL1 status. He was treated with chemo and immunotherapy for 4 cycles (3 months) and then continued with just the immunotherapy for 3 years in total. He had very few side effects from the immuno.

He's now been off all treatment since April and continues to be essentially 'no evidence of disease'. With a stage 4 diagnosis, we could not have imagined back then that he could be so well, and living a full life, 4 years later.

Best, Sarah

[Murfeezlaw]

Hi Sally,

I am currently taking Imfininzi yet my small cell lung cancer spread to my bone and a possible secondary in my lymph nodes in my tonsils. I would say it didn't work for me but my type is very aggressive. I've heard other types it has been successful though.

Good luck to you.

[Sally789 in reply to Murfeezlaw]

Thank you for your reply