Update -- Second Review

Today John had his second review after 8 doses. The CT scan shows 27% growth compared to the baseline established at the inception of the trial. The MO told us not to worry as in real terms, the lesions have grown 2 mm in four months. With immunotherapy, it is also possible that the lesions will appear to have grown in size and then start to shrink. The reason for this is the inflamed cells around the lesions will make the lesions seem like they have grown. The human eye is not yet able to distinguish which are the cancer cells and which are the inflamed cells just by looking at the CT scan. To do that, the patient will probably have to have a biopsy but one wouldn't want a lung biopsy every two months because of the risks. The upshot is John will have another four doses and we may see some changes (or not) at the next review.

Our doctor believes that immunotherapy will likely become an accepted treatment, the question that needs to be answered is what kinds of cancer is it most effective for. She thinks that what is most amazing about this class of drugs is that there is so little or no side effects. I can see this as John is able to live a normal life except for the fact that his esophagus is so scarred from the radiation that he cannot swallow.

We are still feeling positive about the situation. Another patient whom we keep running into at the hospital has stomach cancer that has metastasized to the lungs. He was given a year to live. He is in the same trial as John and has had twelve infusions. His tumours have stopped growing.

My takeaway from today is not to give up. It really does seem like we are turning the corner in cancer treatment.

Although a bit early to tell, it sounds like very good news! I'm glad the side effects have been pretty much nil.

Looking forward to the next report. It really sounds promising.

Best wishes for a successful outcome.

Fingers crossed for majorly positive news the next review. For now... Yeah!! That they seem optimistic hugs!

Wow. That is such positive news. There seem to be more articles available recently on Immunotherapy too. It is becoming more mainstream.
Well done you two.
Tammy

Gloria - Thank you for the update; I think of you and John often and am glad to hear things are progressing with little side effects. Such very nice news and positive outlook. I agree that the advances in cancer treatment seems to be making great strides and believe we'll see many more to come.

Take care,
Nancy

Gloria-
Thank you so much for updating us. Your news seems so very positive! "Turning the corner" is a really beautiful phrase to so many of us. My continued best wishes to you and your husband on this journey.

Best,

Mary

Gloria,

Sounds positive. Toes and fingers crossed....

Fingers crossed for you two!

Thanks for all the encouragement. At times like these, one does need to keep hoping.

Update

John has had 12 infusions of the trial drug and we met the oncologist for "the" review today. Unfortunately, while the lesions in the lungs have not grown much, there is a lymph node which has increased rather alarmingly in size in the last two months. The doctor concluded that the trial drug wasn't working and demitted John. Instead, he will now be getting chemo -- taxol and carboplatin -- to start in two weeks' time. This is, of course, not good news but being in a clinical trial is always a crap shoot. We asked the doctor but there are no other drug trials for head and neck patients at this point.

John has taken it quite well and I am glad about that. He has been having discussions with his therapist about the situation and I think the sessions have helped him understand what he is facing and how he can best deal with it.

If there are members of the forum out there who may be considering immunotherapy, please do not lose hope. There are patients here at our hospital who have had more infusions than John and who have had better outcomes. It is like the initial treatment of radiation and chemo -- it all depends on the individual.