We spoke this week to a new patient (at Hopkins) who is starting treatment - he is also just getting the Erbitux plus radiation -- has stage IV with base of tongue -- getting no other chemo drug. He is also taking amifostine. So far (he is 2-3 weeks into treatment) he's developed the (anticipated) acne on his back -- this apparently is common with Erbitux -- but also has started to develop some mouth sores. A bit early, he is not sure if due to Eribitux or that he's just more sensitive to radiation. He is handling the amifostine the recommended way -- lots of up-front hydration and serious anti-nausea meds 1 1/2 hours before the injections. So far OK.

This is a new protocol -- not sure how the doctors decide who gets eribitux (alone) and who gets it in combination with other chemo drugs (or of they get it all all...) -- will ask our MO when we see her next week.

Gail

CG to husband Barry, dx. 7/21/05, age 66, SCC rgt. tonsil, BOT, 2 nodes (stg. IV), HPV+, tonsillectomy, 7x carboplatin, 35x tomoTherapy IMRT w/ Ethyol @ Johns Hopkins, thru treatment 9/28/05, HPV vaccine trial 12/06-present. Looking good!