| Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 | My wife had the cipo/taxol chemo an 35 rads. 6;weeks after rads cancer returned .Began cispo/taxol again but tumor grew and spread. Oncologist offered up Erbitux as an option. Said 3-4 weeks would tell. Carcinoma of cheek. Otherwise with no treatment 3-6 months,probably on low side. She has basically said no more but leaves a little wiggle room. At almost 81 yrs of age she thinks it may be too much. Pretty good shape for her age tho. Any good experiences with the drug
Caregiver to wife with stage 4 oral cancer. Cheek and 2 lymph nodes.Diagnosed April 2012. At age 80 decided against major surgery.Currently doing 9 chemos and then 7 weeks of radiation/chemo.
| | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Paul, I am very sorry to hear this. My husband noticed a reduction in the size of the affected lymph node within about a week and a half of the first Erbitux infusion - well before the radiation could have worked. The earache that he had from the primary tumor also disappeared pretty early on. My husband did have the rash - which is generally a good sigh that it is working. The rash was annoying, but did not really slow him down that much. It is cummulative, though, and if there are skin issue, they will be more severe after 3 months. If the Erbitux does help, it could buy you some pretty good quality time together. It has the rash as a side effect, but generally does not make the patient as sick as the other chemos (there are execptions of course). Hope this helps. Best wishes to you both. Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010 TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Paul there are many discussions about Erbitux on the forum. Try using the search function by typing Erbitux in the box over towards the top right. Im sure you will learn quite alot about this chemo just by using the search function. ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | The one good thing about Erbitux is it is said to be better with non HPV related cancer such as your wife"s - though honestly the tumor being in her cheek the best and possible treatment is surgery. I say this because it's a quick recovery generally. And then you're done with a chance of a cure / more time together. plus really after three weeks she'll be done with everything since it normally takes 6 weeks to completely heal... Assuming its still local. Definitely beats running to the hospital weekly the chemo cocktails etc... Hugs...it's a tough decision.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 Member | OP Member Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 20 | Wife decided against the surgery first tim around because of the radical and long procedure and a 20% cure chance. Tumor is now larger and the surgery is much more radical.
Caregiver to wife with stage 4 oral cancer. Cheek and 2 lymph nodes.Diagnosed April 2012. At age 80 decided against major surgery.Currently doing 9 chemos and then 7 weeks of radiation/chemo.
| | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | I know. And being her age I totally understand. I usually say stats are dependent very much on the dr., health, hospital, and lifestyle - they all come into play. And as you said its harder to surgically treat now. If the Erbitux doesn't shrink the tumor then maybe it will at least stabilize the tumor. One of the people here on the forum, her father Is on a chemo regiment that has stabilized his tumor and he is doing okay. maybe look into what he is taking. God bless and hugs.
Last edited by Cheryld; 11-04-2012 07:26 AM.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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