| Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | Not to long ago a certain doctor that I won't mention told us that once Erbitux was given it could not be given again . We were told to hold off on using it so the option would remain open . Is this correct that once you have taken the Erbitux it cannot be taken again ? A different doctors opinion was different . He said the Erbitux can be used again . Has anyone taken Erbitux more than once with treatment ? Thanks Heidi
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 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: 6 | I may have heard something as to the effect Erbitux isnt as effective when used a second time, but Im not certain of all the details. I know Ive heard that many doctors still say radiation can only be done once but Ive seen it done 2 or even 3 times. This is done only on a individual case by case basis with many variables. If Erbitux can only be used once Im sure it would be similar to the radiation statement where in certain instances it could be the best option. Next time you see the medical oncologist, ask them what they know of this and please let us know. 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: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | It would make sense that Erbitux not be given a 2nd time if it didn't work the first time. I have heard of patients having Erbitux be given it as adjunctive treatment, after definitive treatment, for an extensive period of time, 6 months, a year as maintenance treatment or as inductive treatment in a cocktail before definitive treatment, possibly with Erbitux. Many other chemo's are usually not given again due to the possibility of one becoming chemo resistant to it, so a different or similar one is given. Erbitux, initially a colorectal drug, I believe was initially approved for metastic head and neck cancer after prior treatment with and failure with a platinum based therapy. It was later it was approved as first line definitive treatment. . They say about 5% of head and neck cancer patients have a mutated KRAS gene whereby Erbitux does not work, but there is no assay for this unlike there is for colorectal cancer, which mutation is as high as 40%. I had Erbitux once, along with Taxotere, radiation, and it did not work in the long run, so I wasn't given it again. Good luck
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | Thanks Christine & Paul I was just wondering . After getting a second opinion from a MD Anderson Oncologist we were told to hold off on the Erbitux. She explained by doing this the door would be left opened for other options down the road if needed. However the Oncologist here in LA. wanted to include the Erbitux in treatment now. We decided to follow the MDA doctors orders and not include the Erbitux for now. I guess I was being curious as to what if it was used now and then again later if needed. Christine I am going to question the doctor more about it and let you know what he says. Thanks Heidi
Last edited by sweetpe1; 01-26-2015 04:01 PM.
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Sorry to hear you getting two different opinions. This is always a drag with second/third opinions. If they don't agree, you often feel worse about what is best for you. MDA is great and waiting seems like the right choice if they recommend an alternative treatment plan. Good luck
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | OP Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | Yes Don We plan to follow the orders given. My moms doctor does'nt have a problem with it. So I think its best to do as MDA has sugested. I was just wondering about the difference of opinion between the two doctors on the Erbitux . Thanks Heidi
Sweetpe Caregiver RE:My Mother Age 70 Non Smoker SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014 35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014 MRI 9/3/2014 25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery MET(s) 9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful Chemo Recommended 1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14 Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad. Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel Passed Away April 22,2015
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