The Artist

[The-artist]

How do you know when your Ibrance isn’t working anymore.

[Hidden]

Hi, The-artist,

I think that progression shown on scans is really the only way to know for sure.

Depending on your situation, additional pain or other difficulties linked specifically to your cancer might - or might not - indicate progression. But I'm sure there could be other reasons for this.

A dramatic increase in tumor markers also might indicate progression, but there are other reasons this occurs, some of them good things, like cancer cells "shedding" when a new treatment is very effective at killing them. There are a couple of other things on lab reports that I think they look at to see if there might be progression...I forget the names, but if you're interested I can find them/figure them out. One is particularly notable for bone mets...It is a complicated two word name, I think, one or both beginning with "A"... (sorry!).

I'm sure there's a lot more to this answer than I can give....Is there something in particular that has you concerned?

Be well,

Lynn

[winterbliss]

I was on Ibrance for 4 years. A scan showed new growth in the spine. That is how I found out it was no longer working. Also my tumor marker was going up.

[viennagirl in reply to winterbliss]

Hello Winterbliss,

I hope you get on to another drug that is as effective as Ibrance. It is good to hear that you got four years on Ibrance and I hope you get many more years in the future. I have been on it 9 months and doing quite well. Hugs Marlene

[winterbliss in reply to viennagirl]

Thank you. I am on capecitabine. 8th round to kill the new growth. Then I will go on one of the drugs that is similar to Ibrance. My oncologist there are quite a few more options yet for which I am thankful.

I hope you get a long run with Ibrance. It is nice when a drug works for a long time. Stay safe.