icbn Posted August 3, 2006 Share Posted August 3, 2006 Surgery on the subcarinal area is supposedly inoperable, especially after the scarring from radiation treatment. However, I'm looking into some different approaches to surgery. But, If I am not a candidate for either Robotic arm Synchrony Cyberknife surgery to the subcarinal lymph nodes or for a Electron-Beam Brachytherapy then my Oncologist is going to put me on Gemzar, Avastin and Tarceva. Has anyone had any experience with the three? Anyone with experience from all three? HAs anyone had surgery to remove subcarinal lymph nodes? These are nodes right under where the trachea divides to the right and left lung. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I doubt if it will be all 3 at same time Could be wrong though but!? My late wife hag gemzar/Navelbine for 1 round and tarceva for another round of treatment. Gemazar worked for a while with minimal sid effects. tarceva was much more diificult for her Skin Rash Hair Loss was worse but different scenario. Best of Luck and Let me know if I can help. Sending prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnmynatt Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Charlie had all three at different times and he had brachytherapy. (1) He had a response from the Tarceva with few side-effects. (2) He had Avastin in combination with Etoposide, Carbo and the brachytherapy and had a good response. (3) The Gemzar gave him the most side-effects. He would get a high fever a few hours after treatment and it would last for a couple of days and then he would be fine other than being tired. The doctors said some people react that way. I've never heard anyone else on the site here have that reaction, though. Praying for you to have good options and for the doctors to be creative and persistent. Take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I am on Gemszar now and it isn't too bad. I take one week of Carboplatin and Gemszar and the next week with Gemzar. I haven't been too sick from the Gems. just tired and minimal hairloss. Hang in there! Positive thoughts!! betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Like Betty, my mom had carbo and gemzar and found gemzar to be quite tolerable. It caused increased fatigue, minimal hair loss. My mom also tried Tarceva, it gave her potty problems and she was taken off it it b/c of that and b/c of a risk for pulmonary fibrosis (the oncologist felt she was at greater risk than most b/c she demonstrated a tendency to get fibrosis since she had more damage from radiation than expected) Sending you my best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamataca Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 Mom was a medical miracle on Tarceva for 16 months, with minimal side effects. She is on Gemzar right now, and toloerates it very well. It keeps knocking back her WBC counts, so she only gets to do treatments about every other week instead of every week, but sshe does not experience horrible nausea with it, and has lost no hair. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 I have heard that that chemo combo is a promising one. You coud ask the cyberdocs about whether or not they have removed subcarinal lymph nodes. They answer within 24 hours. http://www.cyberknifesupport.org/forum/default.aspx?c=4 Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanie55 Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 I was on only Avastin for a number of months with virtually no side effects. Good luck with this combo. Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welthy Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Gemzar was a great chemo for Tony in terms of knocking the cancer out. He also did have high fevers with it a few days after treatment. I guess it just depends on the person's own physiology as to how the side effects will manifest. Good luck with your new game plan. Keep us posted. Welthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy Posted August 7, 2006 Share Posted August 7, 2006 I am currently being treated with Tarceva daily (pill), Avastin every 3 weeks via iv, and zometa every 6 weeks. I have been on this treatment since February 2006. I have had great luck so far. I had two mets - one to my spine and one to my pelvis....both which are now gone! Overall I have felt pretty well with the treatment. I have experienced skin issues (dry, rash, sensitive, itchy), mouth ulcers off and on and stomach issues but overall it has been pretty tolerable. I hope that you and your doc will find a combination that will give you much success! Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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