Help!! Standard of Care for neoadjuvant therapy or Opdivo for Stage 3A NSCLC

[Greekgirl3]

Hi everyone.

Unfortunately, my 65 year old mother was just diagnosed with stage 3A Nonsmall cell lung cancer with evidence of mostly Adenocarcinoma and less than ten percent of squamous cells. Her tumor is 6cm in diameter and beginning to invade the main pulmonary artery. She tested negative for mutations.

The surgeon claims the tumor is potentially respectable if we can shrink it. So we were given two neoadjuvant therapy choices:

Option one: The oncologist offered us the standard of care which is a chemo cocktail of cisplatin and alimata for three months and then reevaluation for surgery.

OR

Option Two: to participate in a clinical trial using Opdivo for two infusions over a 28 day period for the first time in patients that are not yet stage IV. Then reevaluation for surgery.

We don't know what to do? Can fellow members weigh in on knowledge and personal experiences on side effects and effectiveness for both the cisplatin and alimata vs Opdivo.

Is Opdivo too much of a gamble for a potentially respectable tumor? Likelihood of cancer progression in four weeks (add another two for routine tests).

Which is "safer" route to go?

We were not given as much feedback and reassurance as we would have liked on either option and feeling very afraid and frustrated in what already was a high stress situation with the new diagnosis.

Where can we go to seek additional sound oncologist advice in a speedy manner? The trial for Opdivo is coming to a close, so time is of the essence for decision making.

Thank you to all!!!!!!!

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