sclc and nsclc treated the same?????

AngelinaKay
AngelinaKay Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
In 01/10, my mother got a chest x-ray after a bout of bronchitis. For some reason, one of her kidneys was captured and a mass was found, however there was also a spot on her lung which they determined was scar tissue from a recent episode of pnemonia. The mass on her kidney was found to be renal carcinoma--which was completely removed in 05/10. During a follow-up appointment with the kidney doctor in 07/10, they told her she needed to see the oncologist again as they found something during her last blood test. When she followed up with the oncologist, he advised there was no report of anything in her blood. She was indignant, insisted he get the kidney doc on the phone. Well, kidney doc said he did not remember telling my mother this and she did not have any issues. My mother is quite the 70 year old spitfire and insisted on a ct scan of her entire body because she did not trust what she was being told. Well, turns out 'pnemonia' is the newest way to describe small cell carcinoma because when the scan was completed in 08/10, the small area noted in 01/10 was now spread throughout both her lungs and her lymph nodes. A biopsy was completed and on 09/22/2010, my mother was told she has small cell carcinoma of the lungs. After a PET scan, we were told there are no mets anywhere else, however her prognosis is 4 mos w/o chemo and 12 mos with chemo. Because I live across the country from my mother, I was not there for the diagnosis. The info given to me intially was that my mother had 'stage four adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma of the lungs.' Once I started looking at things online, I was confused by the staging relevant to type of cancer as well as 'adenocarcinoma' being routinely exchanged with the terminology of nsclc. I spoke with the oncologist and he stated that the biopsy was too small of a specimen to term small cell or non-small cell. Further, he stated that it is probably small cell because there are hormones present in the sample, but that the course of treatment would be the same regardless. Almost everything I am reading indicates this is not the case. My mom has had 2 chemo treatments of cisplatin and VP-16. She is to continue chemo every three weeks for a total of 8 rounds of chemo. She has her first ct scan today. I am trying to remain hopeful since there are no mets anywhere at this time. I am also considering spending a tremendous amount of money on Poly-MVA, so anyone with any insight into this supplement would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • stayingcalm
    stayingcalm Member Posts: 650 Member
    Wanted to get this to you quickly
    Angelina,
    Poly-MVA on the American Cancer Society treatment page. Please read before you spend your money, particularly note this important sentence: "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Poly-MVA is effective in preventing or treating cancer."

    There are a lot of shady ads on the web for this, but no science backing it up, and the fact that it's backed by Suzanne Somers makes it even more suspect. Please, please don't waste your money.
    stayingcalm
  • AngelinaKay
    AngelinaKay Member Posts: 3

    Wanted to get this to you quickly
    Angelina,
    Poly-MVA on the American Cancer Society treatment page. Please read before you spend your money, particularly note this important sentence: "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Poly-MVA is effective in preventing or treating cancer."

    There are a lot of shady ads on the web for this, but no science backing it up, and the fact that it's backed by Suzanne Somers makes it even more suspect. Please, please don't waste your money.
    stayingcalm

    I am not considering it for
    I am not considering it for the 'treatment' aspect. I was looking for a supplement that would help with how she felt during chemo.
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member

    I am not considering it for
    I am not considering it for the 'treatment' aspect. I was looking for a supplement that would help with how she felt during chemo.

    Probably still not worth it...
    I just dont think it would be worth it, even as a supplement for how she feels. The steroids, nausea medicine and pain pills are more than adequate for the several people I know(and have known) going through chemo. Coupled with extra water and exercise.

    ... Sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis. Glad she has you for support... even if you are far away, that support is still meaningful.
  • stayingcalm
    stayingcalm Member Posts: 650 Member

    I am not considering it for
    I am not considering it for the 'treatment' aspect. I was looking for a supplement that would help with how she felt during chemo.

    Angelina
    Also, most oncologists ask that you not take strong antioxidants during chemo, because the same qualities that help protect normal cells also protect cancer cells. :-(
  • Miss Bella
    Miss Bella Member Posts: 19
    Treatments
    Dear
    Angelina,
    I am sorry about your mothers diagnosis.
    RE: your question on treatments. Cisplatin and VP-16 (also called Etoposide) are used for BOTH nsclc and sclc. It is heavy duty. I have nsclc and have received the very same treatment. I have friends with sclc and they have received the same.
    Regarding supplements and so forth. It is a very good rule to always check with the dr whatever is going past your mothers lips. Some supplements can seem innocent enough but with chemo they can spell trouble.
    I wish you and your mother all the best.
    Miss Bella
  • AngelinaKay
    AngelinaKay Member Posts: 3

    Treatments
    Dear
    Angelina,
    I am sorry about your mothers diagnosis.
    RE: your question on treatments. Cisplatin and VP-16 (also called Etoposide) are used for BOTH nsclc and sclc. It is heavy duty. I have nsclc and have received the very same treatment. I have friends with sclc and they have received the same.
    Regarding supplements and so forth. It is a very good rule to always check with the dr whatever is going past your mothers lips. Some supplements can seem innocent enough but with chemo they can spell trouble.
    I wish you and your mother all the best.
    Miss Bella

    I told the doctor about this
    I told the doctor about this and he said it would be fine. Although, he did not really spend too much time on the details. I was just hoping to find someone who had taken it. I have looked at several things and am not sure what to do. I guess its more about feeling helpless.

    Thank you, everyone, for your comments and well wishes. This is all so new and I live so far away. Kinda surreal.
  • NayPaul
    NayPaul Member Posts: 230 Member

    I told the doctor about this
    I told the doctor about this and he said it would be fine. Although, he did not really spend too much time on the details. I was just hoping to find someone who had taken it. I have looked at several things and am not sure what to do. I guess its more about feeling helpless.

    Thank you, everyone, for your comments and well wishes. This is all so new and I live so far away. Kinda surreal.

    Feeling helpless
    --- You mentioned that you are not sure what to do and it is about feeling helpless. MAN... I cannot agree more.

    Although my wife and I often talk about going through this together, the fact is, this effects me, but I am NOT going through this. I often feel very helpless and frustrated.

    My mother just died this summer, and I live hours away from her, although I could get there, it was not somthing I did often. So the distance with her added more to my feelings of helplessness.

    For me, one of the things that I am trying to do is get educated. There is a LOT to learn and I know my wife is a bright lady, but dealing with the quantity of data, why dealing with the physical illness and still trying to be a mom is just next to impossible.

    Your mom can use your emotional support and may need you to have knowledge in case she does not understand everything.