Anyone used Iressa for treatment??

lilsunshine
lilsunshine Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hi everyone, I am a newbie here. About a year & a half ago, my dad was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. He has been through chemo twice, and radiation once. They have since found that his tumor (inoperable) has grown, and he now has 2 other ones. He refuses to go through chemo or radiation again(he had a VERY hard time with both of them). The doctors are now going to put him on the new pill "Iressa". I have searched for info on it...but there's not much out there since it is so new. Has anyone had any experience with this drug, or have any information on it's effectivness? Also, if this pill does not help, and my dad won't go through chemo or raditation again...what is left? Will he just continue to get sicker until he just dies???? Thanks so much in advance for your help :).

Comments

  • maliko
    maliko Member Posts: 2
    Hi!
    My husband used Iressa for NSCLC.It doesn't help him.I am now looking for different treatment for him.My husband was dignosed almost 2 years ago.He got chemotherapy,radiation,second time chemo,IMRT,Iressa and it doesn't help.Now is time for something else.I wish good luck .Why you can't find information about it.Try just type Recent study about Iressa and pages will open for you.
  • maliko
    maliko Member Posts: 2
    I am here again.I know how hard it is for you.You try your best.I was searching on the computer long time before my husband start Iressa.
    Good luck to your daddy.
  • schuyler
    schuyler Member Posts: 32
    Can't blame yur Dad for not wanting to repeat treatments. They really deplete your quality of life. You might want to check out IMRT. It's a new approach to radiation. It's targeted directly at the tumors and does not affect surrounding tissue, hence the side effects are minimal and not like traditional radiation. The treatment is done in three sessions rather than 30 or more. I had it done last month on lung tumors. There is a 90% cure rate. I had it done at Cancer Therapy and Treatment Center in San Antonio, TX. I could have had it done locally where I live also, but since it is so new you may not find it in your area. It requires a specially adapted machine and software. Anyway, you might want to ask you Dad's oncologist about this. Best of luck to you both.
  • leeday
    leeday Member Posts: 2
    I have non small lung cancer, went through the 33 treatments of radiation starting Jan 2, 2002 and chemo at same time. I started Iressa in July and was doing fine but in April the tumor had grown a small amount. I went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, they found another small spot on my other lung, have recommended Carboplatin and Gemcitabine (both a chemo). So far I am able to take without to many side effects. As I understand it I think Peter Jennings said when they announced the FDA had approved Iressa the chances of it working was 13%. But I did talk to a man in Florida that said it was shinking his tumor.
  • TxLadyS
    TxLadyS Member Posts: 6
    leeday said:

    I have non small lung cancer, went through the 33 treatments of radiation starting Jan 2, 2002 and chemo at same time. I started Iressa in July and was doing fine but in April the tumor had grown a small amount. I went to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, they found another small spot on my other lung, have recommended Carboplatin and Gemcitabine (both a chemo). So far I am able to take without to many side effects. As I understand it I think Peter Jennings said when they announced the FDA had approved Iressa the chances of it working was 13%. But I did talk to a man in Florida that said it was shinking his tumor.

    My husband was diagnosed with NSCLC metastic to the bone in December 2000. He went through radiation and three different kinds of chemo in an 16 month period. They worked for a while but he got a lot sicker with other stuff due to the chemo such as congestive heart failure and acute renal failure. In May 2001 he decided that it wasn't worth it to feel so bad all the time. We had given up when we heard about Iressa. It worked very well for him for a year. He started in June 2002 with a CEA of 89 and was at 16 by November 2002. However, in the last month he has gone way done. The CEA is up to 52 and he is having severe mental changes. We have finally had to call hospice in but atleast we had almost an extra year thanks to the Iressa.

    Good luck and prayers to you and yours.
  • MargoLubbers
    MargoLubbers Member Posts: 14
    TxLadyS said:

    My husband was diagnosed with NSCLC metastic to the bone in December 2000. He went through radiation and three different kinds of chemo in an 16 month period. They worked for a while but he got a lot sicker with other stuff due to the chemo such as congestive heart failure and acute renal failure. In May 2001 he decided that it wasn't worth it to feel so bad all the time. We had given up when we heard about Iressa. It worked very well for him for a year. He started in June 2002 with a CEA of 89 and was at 16 by November 2002. However, in the last month he has gone way done. The CEA is up to 52 and he is having severe mental changes. We have finally had to call hospice in but atleast we had almost an extra year thanks to the Iressa.

    Good luck and prayers to you and yours.

    I just talked to Daniel WAlsh of Florida (Stage 4 NSCLC) and he's been on irressa for 27 months with no change in his tumors. I understand that it works well in 10+% of us! That's a pretty good percentage considering the alternatives!
  • MargoLubbers
    MargoLubbers Member Posts: 14
    TxLadyS said:

    My husband was diagnosed with NSCLC metastic to the bone in December 2000. He went through radiation and three different kinds of chemo in an 16 month period. They worked for a while but he got a lot sicker with other stuff due to the chemo such as congestive heart failure and acute renal failure. In May 2001 he decided that it wasn't worth it to feel so bad all the time. We had given up when we heard about Iressa. It worked very well for him for a year. He started in June 2002 with a CEA of 89 and was at 16 by November 2002. However, in the last month he has gone way done. The CEA is up to 52 and he is having severe mental changes. We have finally had to call hospice in but atleast we had almost an extra year thanks to the Iressa.

    Good luck and prayers to you and yours.

    I just talked to Daniel Walsh of Florida (Stage 4 NSCLC) and he's been on irressa for 27 months with no change in his tumors. I understand that it works well in 10+% of us! That's a pretty good percentage considering the alternatives!
  • MargoLubbers
    MargoLubbers Member Posts: 14
    TxLadyS said:

    My husband was diagnosed with NSCLC metastic to the bone in December 2000. He went through radiation and three different kinds of chemo in an 16 month period. They worked for a while but he got a lot sicker with other stuff due to the chemo such as congestive heart failure and acute renal failure. In May 2001 he decided that it wasn't worth it to feel so bad all the time. We had given up when we heard about Iressa. It worked very well for him for a year. He started in June 2002 with a CEA of 89 and was at 16 by November 2002. However, in the last month he has gone way done. The CEA is up to 52 and he is having severe mental changes. We have finally had to call hospice in but atleast we had almost an extra year thanks to the Iressa.

    Good luck and prayers to you and yours.

    I just talked to Daniel Walsh of Florida (Stage 4 NSCLC) and he's been on irressa for 27 months with no change in his tumors. I understand that it works well in 10+% of us! That's a pretty good percentage considering the alternatives!
  • KyRambler
    KyRambler Member Posts: 9
    Hi lilsunshine. I'm aorry to hear about your dad. I am on Iressa and have been for about six and a half months. I had NSCLC and half of my left lung was removed. the cancer went to my right femur and I had to have surgery and radiation on it. I had chemotherapy also which I fininhed last Nov. They found lesions on my liver and I went on Iressa the day before Thanksgiving. My last CT scan was 5/28/03 and there was no sign of any cancer. Iressa has so far worked for me. It has sure made me feel better. I go next Tuesday, 6/24/03, for another CT scan. I was told that 26 People at the cancer center that I go to was on Iressa. 5 was helped. I am so gratful that I was one of the 5. The reason you can't find much info on Iressa, is that it was in clinical trials and has just been approved by the FDA for sale by prescription.
    Good luck to both you and your dad. I'll keep you in my prayers.
    Pat
  • CHANG343
    CHANG343 Member Posts: 3
    KyRambler said:

    Hi lilsunshine. I'm aorry to hear about your dad. I am on Iressa and have been for about six and a half months. I had NSCLC and half of my left lung was removed. the cancer went to my right femur and I had to have surgery and radiation on it. I had chemotherapy also which I fininhed last Nov. They found lesions on my liver and I went on Iressa the day before Thanksgiving. My last CT scan was 5/28/03 and there was no sign of any cancer. Iressa has so far worked for me. It has sure made me feel better. I go next Tuesday, 6/24/03, for another CT scan. I was told that 26 People at the cancer center that I go to was on Iressa. 5 was helped. I am so gratful that I was one of the 5. The reason you can't find much info on Iressa, is that it was in clinical trials and has just been approved by the FDA for sale by prescription.
    Good luck to both you and your dad. I'll keep you in my prayers.
    Pat

    I am a Stage IV adenocarcenoma Pt.
    DX'd OCT 00. Given 3 to 6 Months.
    Chemo, Rad, Chemo and Rad, Chemo.
    JUL 02 was told "There is nothing more we can do for you". Turned over to Hospice.

    Found MD who let me into Iressa Expanded Compassionate Clinical Trial.

    Started Iressa 17 AUG 03.
    1 Month later - out of wheelchair.
    1 Month later off 24/7 O2.
    NOV CT evaluated as "stable"
    Last (JUN 03) CT still stable.
    Sked for CT Late SEP, and expect to be "Stable"

    Searching for other Pt's that are on Iressa to compare notes with.
    I understand that there are literaly "hundreds of thousands" of Pt's that participated in the Iressa trials.

    If we start talking to each other and comparing notes, we can educate each other.

    I know that iressa is NOT a "cure".
    I know that the "median extended survivorability
    time is 12 Months.
    I know that the Iressa "survivor population" is only about 15% of those who were put on it.

    My MD has told me that there are Iressa Pt's that have been on the drug for FOUR Years and are still stable.

    Would like to correspond with anyone with Iressa experience, to share experience and knowledge.

    Bill
    SDiego, CA
  • KyRambler
    KyRambler Member Posts: 9
    CHANG343 said:

    I am a Stage IV adenocarcenoma Pt.
    DX'd OCT 00. Given 3 to 6 Months.
    Chemo, Rad, Chemo and Rad, Chemo.
    JUL 02 was told "There is nothing more we can do for you". Turned over to Hospice.

    Found MD who let me into Iressa Expanded Compassionate Clinical Trial.

    Started Iressa 17 AUG 03.
    1 Month later - out of wheelchair.
    1 Month later off 24/7 O2.
    NOV CT evaluated as "stable"
    Last (JUN 03) CT still stable.
    Sked for CT Late SEP, and expect to be "Stable"

    Searching for other Pt's that are on Iressa to compare notes with.
    I understand that there are literaly "hundreds of thousands" of Pt's that participated in the Iressa trials.

    If we start talking to each other and comparing notes, we can educate each other.

    I know that iressa is NOT a "cure".
    I know that the "median extended survivorability
    time is 12 Months.
    I know that the Iressa "survivor population" is only about 15% of those who were put on it.

    My MD has told me that there are Iressa Pt's that have been on the drug for FOUR Years and are still stable.

    Would like to correspond with anyone with Iressa experience, to share experience and knowledge.

    Bill
    SDiego, CA

    Hi Bill. My name is Pat. I'm glad you are doing well. I also am doing good. I've been clean about 6 months. I'm getting my strength back and gaining some weight back. I'm feeling good. I still get tired quicker than I used to.

    My email address is pnlclark@adelphia.net Send me an email if you want to talk.

    Good luck and God Bless.
    Pat.
  • tao94539
    tao94539 Member Posts: 13
    schuyler said:

    Can't blame yur Dad for not wanting to repeat treatments. They really deplete your quality of life. You might want to check out IMRT. It's a new approach to radiation. It's targeted directly at the tumors and does not affect surrounding tissue, hence the side effects are minimal and not like traditional radiation. The treatment is done in three sessions rather than 30 or more. I had it done last month on lung tumors. There is a 90% cure rate. I had it done at Cancer Therapy and Treatment Center in San Antonio, TX. I could have had it done locally where I live also, but since it is so new you may not find it in your area. It requires a specially adapted machine and software. Anyway, you might want to ask you Dad's oncologist about this. Best of luck to you both.

    Hi, Schulyer

    I saw the post that you did IMRT,how many times did you do that ? and how long each time you did it?
    when you did that IMRT, is it out-patient? or you have to be admited to hospital?
    Thanks
    Tao