New to Site, family member of Patient issue with Cetuximab

drmaddogs

Hi, I am new to this site in my efforts to support my brother who was diagnosed with stage III HPV Squamous cell Oropharyngeal Cancer. He is being treated at a Teaching University, so I'm pleased about that, however in researching the treatment protocol of the Generic Erbitux, Cetuximab I'm very concerned with what I've read. On a website named "Chemo Experts" the following is stated about this "immunotherapy".

"Treatment Name: Cetuximab (Erbitux®)

Cetuximab (Erbitux®) is an Immunotherapy Regimen for head and neck cancer.

How does cetuximab work?

Cetuximab is designed to kill and slow growth of cancer cells. Cetuximab binds to receptors, called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), located on the surface of cancer cells that signal the cell to divide and make more. Cetuximab does not stop normal cells from reproducing.

Goals of therapy:

Cetuximab is given to shrink tumors and alleviate symptoms of head and neck cancer. Cetuximab is not commonly given with the goal of cure"

When I read that last sentence my jaw dropped and I'm panicked. Why would the Cancer Doc order this protocol if not for a "goal" of cure??!!!! They did say he has a 50/50 chance of survival. But why the contradiction. Any feedback about this would be so helpful.

He and the brother taking care of him are just on Auto pilot following what they are told to do and I'm asking all the questions. Thank you in advance.

wbcgaruss

Hello drm and welcome to the forum. If you could supply a first name it would be more personable. Sorry, you have a reason to visit us but I hope you find some information that is helpful. You may also want to check out the "Superthread" at the top of the Head and Neck page, it is loaded with information.

You say he is being treated for Oropharyngeal Cancer. I looked it up and if I am correct it is in simpler terms throat cancer. I also had throat cancer. Mine was well advanced also. I had 35 radiation treatments and chemotherapy before that and then during radiation I had more chemo given in the beginning of the radiation, middle, and at the end.

I would say it sounds unusual that they would treat this cancer with Erbitux only. I would think he would get radiation with it.

I found this on a Erbitux site "

For head and neck cancer

You may have cetuximab every week, during your radiotherapy treatment. Or you may have it with chemotherapy, for as long as the treatment is helping you and the side effects aren’t too bad.

I also found this--

Is cetuximab chemotherapy or immunotherapy?

Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as avelumab and cetuximab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread.

So if I am correct it is immunotherapy.

If he is, in fact, getting immunotherapy alone it is used many times when other treatments were used previously and were not completely successful or were successful and the cancer came back and the patient was previously heavily radiated and can't have any more radiation so they give immunotherapy.

Is he receiving radiation along with this or just Erbitux alone?

Has he had any other previous treatment?

Is his cancer localized in one place or has it spread to other areas?

Generally, the treatment for Head and Neck cancer could be surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of all three. Each case is different.

More information on your brother's history would help. Was he treated previously, what were his symptoms, has he gotten a CT scan, a biopsy, and a PET scan? Also, has he had an MRI?

If he has throat cancer the standard treatment these days has been 35 radiation treatments with chemo beginning, middle, and at the end. This also applies to a variety of head and neck cancers and areas. It works but can be brutal treatment.

And the chemo used that is most effective for head and neck squamous cell cancer is generally cisplatin, Taxotere, and 5 Fluorouracil or more commonly known as 5 FU.

See if you can give more detailed information on his case it may help. Thank you.

Wishing You the Best

Take Care God Bless-Russ