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targeted cancer therapies in oral form v chemo

traceyc
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my husband who has non-small lung cancer stage 4 has just been rung up by the cancer nurse to say that instead of chemo - he had the first session and due to have the next one in a weeks’ time now due to the genetic testing from the biopsy they want to give him this in a tablet form – we are due to see the oncologist on Thursday to say whether he wants this or continue with the chemo route- anyone have anything to advise me on this please? The first chemo went well with minimal side effects so far for my lovely young husband- any advice would be helpful? Thank you Tracey

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    Hi Tracey

    My husband is on Votrient which is an immuno - therapy for kidney cancer that has metastised in his stomach. Votrient or pazopanib is taken daily and he takes a dosage of 400 mg. The idea is it shrinks the tumours but doesn't cause any damage to good cells. He has had a lot of side effects but he also has MS so we expected this as he has a poor immune system. 

    Side effects are the worse part of treatment but ask what the oncologist thinks will give the best outcome and go with that, is my advice. There are so many treatments nowadays and they all treat different cancers in different ways. Kidney cancer dies not respond well to traditional chemo, so although things are difficult at the moment he is determined to persevere. Ask what is the best for your husband and why.

    Hope this helps.

    Chrissie

  • Offline in reply to Chrissie05

    Chrissie thank you for your kind reply - and your advice- we have the onchologist appointment in the morning so are armed with questions and a notebook to write it all down - likely to go with this treatemnt. i hope that you and your husband saty strong - love Tracey

  • Offline in reply to traceyc

    Hope you managed to get sorted out which treatment your husband was going to take. We go to the oncologist next Thursday to see if he carries on with the Votient. He has been on a bit of a roller coaster but we are having some better days now. I think it is difficult when they just give you pills and send you home to get on with it. I phoned the help line they gave me for advice but they just told me to go to the GP. This website has helped, like you say, it is good to talk and write down what you are feeling.

    Sometimes when I meet friends I want to talk about something else other than my problems as I don't want to bore them, but they have been very supportive and willing to listen. Anyway off to lunch with ex- colleagues tomorrow so should have a good chat.

    Keep positive, my son always tells his dad it will make him feel better, you should see the look he gets!

  • Offline in reply to traceyc

    Hi Tracey, How did your appointment go today? Hope you are okay and managing to stay strong. Love Sara xx

  • Offline in reply to Chrissie05

    hi threre the medication is afatinab( giotrif )  and he started this today - so lets hope that the side effects are rare and lets hope that he responds to this in the way intended - if any one has any experience of this drug this would be greta - or advice on managing side effects please ? the oncologist and thr cancer specialist nurse was very helpful. i wish you all the best.

    love Tracey x

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