| | Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 5 | Hi everyone, My wife's stage 4 cancer of the tongue and neck lymph nodes has spread to her right lung and her neck in recent months. Six weeks ago, we started another round of treatments with Erbitux plus a strong once-every-three weeks dose of carboplatin, but her neck tumor has still grown considerably. Our oncologist wants to replace the two drugs with weekly IV's of methotrexate (trexall). Does anyone have an opinion of, or experience with this drug?
edwo
| | | | | 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 | There is tons of info on the forum and main OCF pages about Erbitux. One thing that sticks in my mind most of all about this chemo is the more of a rash, the better it seems to be working. Please take a few minutes to type Erbitux into the SEARCH bar and check out the many posts. Or just click on the word (where you see it highlighted and underlined) and you will see detailed info on the main OCF pages. Best wishes to your wife with everything!
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: 5,264 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,264 Likes: 5 | If the drugs she's on aren't working then I would say go with something else ASAP, particularly I'd there is spread. Where is she being treated? New York has several amazing cancer centers. Lungs mets is not a good thing..
- I'm not going to lie - but if you're at a CCC chances are they will have some viable options - by way of clinical trials, also is it confirmed or suspected lung mets? There's a big difference. I cannot comment on the chemo they are suggesting as its new to me but someone here might be able to. Hugs and best of luck.
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: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Methotrexate is a fairly old drug that is used for a variety of cancers, as well as auto-immune disorders such as Rheumatoid Arthritis. A friend was on it for a while for RA - the infusions exhausted her, but she bounced back quickly the day after and was able to work.
If you go to the NCI (National Cancer Institute) site you can search for clinical trials on recurrent Head and Neck cancer, to see what is up with the latest research. I think I remember seeing methotrexate on one or another of the trials.
My best wishes to you and your wife.
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.
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