any information on non small cell stage 4 lung cancer?

[Tracey Huguley]

We would appreciate any links or information you guys might have on non small cell stage 4 lung cancer...

I made a mistake...it is non small cell....

Tracey

[dadstimeon]

Below are some links to get you started. Hope this helps. Prayers for the best. Rich

http://www.aacr.org/page4743.aspx (American Association for Cancer Research)

http://www.acor.org (Association of Cancer Online Resources / Free Online Lifeline For Everyone Affected By Cancer & Related Disorders)

http://www.acscsn.org/books (The ACS and NCI Offer Free Cancer Survivorship Books)

http://www.agingcarefl.org/aging/tollfree (Toll-Free Information Lines)

http://www.aicr.org (American Institute for Cancer Research; Nutrition Hotline / AICR)

http://www.cancer.com/linksforCategory.jsp?Category=26 (Financial and Legal Resources)

http://www.cancerhopenetwork.org (Cancer Hope Network)

http://www.alcase.org (ALCASE / Alliance For Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support, Education)

http://www.alcase.org/education/publica ... reath.html (With Every Breath A Lung Cancer Guidebook / From ALCASE / A Wealth Of Information / Free) )

http://www.cancersurvivaltoolbox.org (The Cancer Survival Toolbox / Free / From NCCS)

http://www.ama-assn.org (American Medical Association)

http://www.blochcancer.org (R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, Inc. / Please read: A Letter to all newly diagnosed cancer patients)

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com (British Medical Journal's)

http://cancer.com/cancertype?ID=LUNGCANC (Strength In Knowledge)

http://www.cancer.gov (Cancer Information Service / NCI)

http://www.cancer.gov/cancercenters/centerslist.html (NCI-designated Cancer Centers / Cancer Centers Listed by State)

http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/tr ... ng/patient (SCLC)

http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary (NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms)

http://www.cancer.org (American Cancer Society)

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MON/MON_1.asp (Track Side Effects)

http://www.cancercare.org (Financial Needs: Internet Links for Financial Assistance)

http://www.cancer-free.com (Cancer Free Connections)

http://www.cancerindex.org/clinks2l.htm (Cancer Index / Lung Cancer Resources Directory)

http://www.cancerindex.org/clinks8h.htm (Resources for Caregivers)

http://www.cancerlifecenter.com/engine. ... =dictionar (Cancer Life Center/ Cancer Dictionary)

http://www.cancerlinks.org/lung.html (Lung Cancer Links)

http://www.cancermonthly.com/ (Cancer Monthly (The Source For Cancer Treatment Results)

http://www.cancernews.healthology.com/f ... cancernews (Cancer News)

http://www.cancerresearchcenter.org (Cancer Research Center)

http://www.cancersymptoms.org (Oncology Nursing Society)

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cancernet/600081.html (National Organizations That Offer Services to People With Cancer)

http://canceryellowpages.com/Resources/ ... G%20CANCER (Cancer yellow Pages)

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/qa.htm (Cancer Prevention and Control)

http://www.centerwatch.com (Clinical Trails Listing Service / Center Watch)

http://www.chemocare.com (ChemoCare)

http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/7_48.htm (Follow-up Care: Questions and Answers)

http://www.cochrane.org/index0.htm (The Cochrane Collaboration / The reliable source of evidence in healthcare)

http://www.curetoday.com/currentissue/d ... index.html (Toolbox: Resources You Can Use)

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.ns ... g%20Cancer (Doctor’s Guide / Lung Cancer)

http://www.drugs.com (Drug Information Online)

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interactio ... 9,,00.html (Check potential interactions* between two or more drugs)

http://www.findcancerexperts.com (Find Cancer Experts)

http://www.google.com (Great Search Engine)

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=U ... sa&spell=1 (Medicaid)

http://health.allrefer.com/health/prima ... -info.html (Diseases And Conditions / SCLC)

http://www.healthfinder.gov/Scripts/Sea ... ?topic=506 (Healthfinder)

http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/C ... ung_cancer (Health Insite)

http://www.healthology.com/focus_articl ... cancernews (How To Eat Well During Cancer Treatment)

http://www.hospicefoundation.org (Hospice Foundation Of America)

http://www.hospiceweb.com (Hospice Web)

http://www.hospice-america.org/consumer.html (Hospice Association Of America)

http://www.hospicenet.org (Hospice Net)

http://www.icare.org (ICARE / The International Cancer Alliance)

http://www.iressa-us.com/patient.asp (Iressa/Patient)

http://www.iressa-us.com/prof.asp (Iressa/Prof)

http://www.lcam.org (Lung Cancer Awareness Month / November)

http://www.lifeclinic.com/focus/nutrition/nutrition.asp (Nutrition Facts and Information Center)

http://www.lungcancer.org/patients/fs_p ... givers.htm (Lung Cancer Toll-Free Information Line)

http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/facin ... tline.html (Lung Cancer Alliance/Toll Free)

http://www.lungcancerclaims.com (Lung Cancer / Lung Cancer Information Page)

http://www.lungcancercoalition.org (Global Lung Cancer Coalition)

http://www.lungcancerfyi.com/lung_cancer_faq.html (Lung Cancer - Frequently Asked Questions)

http://www.lungcancerfyi.com/lung_cancer_glossary.html (Lung Cancer Glossary)

http://www.lungcanceronline.org/effects ... fects.html (Lung Cancer Online / Hematologic (Blood) Effects)

http://www.lungcanceronline.org/index.htm (Lung Cancer Online / HomePage)

http://www.lungcanceronline.org/support/financial.html (Lung Cancer Online / Financial, Legal & Insurance Issues)

http://www.lungcanceronline.org/tests/index.html (Lung Cancer Online / Test And Procedures)

http://www.lungcanceronline.org/treatme ... osurg.html (Surgery - General Information & What to Expect)

http://www.lungusa.org (American Lung Association)

http://www.medicinenet.com/Lung_Cancer/article.htm (Medicine Net)

http://www.meds.com/lung/lunginfo.html (Lung Cancer Information Library)

http://www.meds.com/pdq/smallcell_pat.html (Medicine OnLine / SCLG)

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/index.html (Merck Manuals / Medical informations)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... h&DB=books (NCBI / BookShelf)

http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gl ... tents.asp# (Lung Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients – Version II/May 2004)

http://www.nexcura.com/Newsletter/eNews ... C0FF744F17 (NexProfiler eNews for Lung Cancer)

http://www.news.google.com/news?hl=en&e ... ung+cancer (Lung Cancer In The News)

http://nfcr.org/ (National Foundation For Cancer Research)

http://www.nih.gov/health/infoline.htm (NIH Information Lines/Toll Free)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov (Unites States / National Library Of Medicine)

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html (Health Information / Medical Encyclopedia)

http://www.paralleljourneys-cancer.com/poc/drugs.html (A List of Chemotherapy Drugs)

http://www.patientadvocate.org (Patient Advocate Foundation)

http://www.plwc.org/plwc/MainConstructo ... _id=&state (Caregiving)

http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC/me ... 730ad1RCRD (Making Decisions About Cancer Treatment)

http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC/me ... 730ad1RCRD (PLWC Feature: Financial Support Resources-Updated)

http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC/me ... mt=default (Questions to Ask the Doctor)

http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC/me ... 730ad1RCRD (PLWC Feature: Talking to Someone With Cancer)

http://www.rfalung.com (Radio Frequency Ablation Of Lung Cancer)

http://www.roycastle.org (Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation)

http://www.tarceva.com/tarceva/patient/contact.jsp (Tarceva Hotline)

http://www.thebeehive.org/health/contests/medicaid.asp (Medicaid)

http://www.thehealthinsurance.com/medicaid.htm (Medicaid)

http://www.thewellnesscommunity.org/pro ... /guide.asp (The Wellness Community / National Cancer Support, Education And Support / Free)

http://www.thecancer.net (The Cancer Information Network)

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/hos ... p_home.htm (Directory Of American Hospitals)

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/healt ... hqcanc.htm (Best Hospitals)

http://www.vh.org/adult/patient/cancerc ... index.html (Understanding Blood Tests / A Guide for Patients with Cancer)

http://www.vh.org/index.html (Virtual Hospital)

http://www.yourcancersource.com/useful.html (Your Cancer Source)

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/ ... 87526.html (3-year-old keeps her smile in battle with rare cancer)

http://www.amarillomed.com/howto.htm#Enzymes (How to interpret your blood test results)

http://www.bloodbook.com/ranges.html (BLOOD TEST RESULTS - NORMAL RANGES)

http://www.medicare.org (A Resource for Medicare Information)

http://www.ssa.gov/mediinfo.htm (How to Find Medicare Information)

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html (Medicare)

http://www.uihealthcare.com/topics/medi ... index.html (Understanding Blood Tests A Guide for Patients with Cancer)

[RandyW]

Shorter List of sites.

Clinical trials; these can be risky but are highly beneficial and sometimes thet do work miracles. We have members who are having success with trials right now.

http://www.oncolink.com/treatment/trials.html

This is more comprehensive and explains more about trials available

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/re ... ion-series

This list may be backwards with last to first but it is complete for my thoughts.

Treatment guidelines Stage IV;

http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gl ... ntents.asp

Chemotherapy

Despite the fact that the tumors are often removed by surgery, there is always a risk of recurrence because there may be microscopic cancer cells left that the surgeon cannot remove. Also, some patients are not candidates for surgery or choose not to have surgery. Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs that go throughout the entire body. These drugs may be given through a vein or with pills by mouth. Chemotherapy is recommended after surgery for some stage I patients and most stage II patients. Because current treatment of advanced stage lung cancers (stage III) is often a combination of radiation and/or chemotherapy and/or surgery, the timing and use of chemotherapy is debated and may vary depending on the specifics of the case. Chemotherapy is offered to many patients with stage IV disease and in patients with small cell lung cancer who have minimal weight loss and good performance status (how well they are living life without symptoms).

There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are often given in combinations. Patients will usually have to go to a clinic to get the chemotherapy because many of the drugs have to be given through a vein. Different chemotherapy regimens are used for different purposes. Some of the drugs used in lung cancer chemotherapy include: Etoposide (and Teniposide), Cisplatin (and Carboplatin), Ifosfamide, Cyclophosphamide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel, Docetaxel, Gemcitabine (Gemzar®) and Vinorelbine (Navelbine). There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the different regimens that your medical oncologist will discuss with you. Based on your own health, your personal values and wishes, and side effects you may wish to avoid, you can work with your doctors to come up with the best regimen for your cancer and your lifestyle.

Targeted Therapies/Biologic Therapies

Targeted (also called "biologic") therapies are a new class of medications that have been specifically designed to combat precise pathways in various cancers. Cancers have abnormal genetic pathways and receptors, and recent research has helped characterize the particular molecular pathways that make cells cancerous and resistant to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. Sophisticated laboratory research and pharmaceutical design have created a new class of medications, known as targeted therapies. These medications often produce less significant side effects than standard chemotherapy drugs. They can be given both though a vein or with pills by mouth. They can also be given in combination with standard chemotherapy. Benefits in stage IV lung cancer patients have been recently reported using two different targeted therapies: "Bevacizumab (Avastin)" and "Erlotinib (Tarceva)". Clinical trials are ongoing to determine the benefit of other targeted therapies in this disease. For more information on targeted therapies see the Targeted Therapy Basics and Types of Targeted Thearpies sections of Oncolink and talk to your doctor.

Radiotherapy

Lung cancer patients commonly are treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high energy rays (similar to x-rays) to kill cancer cells. It comes from an external source, and it requires patients to come in 5 days a week for up to 6-8 weeks to a radiation therapy treatment center. The treatment takes just a few minutes, and it is painless. Radiation therapy is often combined with surgery and is important in the treatment of all types of lung cancer. It may be recommended before surgery to shrink a tumor to make it easier for the surgeon to remove. Radiation may be used after surgery if there are worrisome risk factors that make it likely for a tumor to come back in the chest. Sometimes radiation is used instead of surgery in patients who are not surgical candidates. Radiation can also be used in the palliative setting to ease the pain of metastases, stop tumors from bleeding, and prevent airway obstruction. Radiation is important in reducing the risk of local recurrence of tumors and is often offered in more advanced cases to kill tumor cells that may be living in lymph nodes. Generally, doctors try to limit the amount of radiation that your vital organs get, and don't like to treat large portions of the lungs. Your radiation oncologist can answer questions about the utility, process, and side effects of radiation therapy in your particular case.

Photodynamic Therapy

Photodymanic therapy (PDT) involves injecting a patient with a drug that preferentially gets taken up in cancer cells and then makes them sensitive to a particular kind of light. When you shine the right kind of light on the tumor, the drug is activated and cancer cells are killed. Photodyamic therapy is occasionally used in the treatment of lung cancer for lesions in the airway. There are also clinical trials ongoing at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to treat cancers with PDT that have spread to the fluid surrounding the lung cavity. Please visit the OncoLink/Emergingmed Clinical Trials Resource Center to see if you qualify for any of these studies.

This should be ennough reading until you find out exactly what Chemo or treatment your Oncologist is recommending. then let us know and we move on to that part.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND THE MORE YOU KNOW THE BETTER OFF YOU ARE> Get a smal organizer in which to keep track of everything. test times, names of chemo drugs, Appointments, test results( Good or bad) questions for Onc or for us! any little detail you can think of.

Sending prayers and again, let us know when you find out more or if you need more info.

[ernrol]

Tracey,

I had a combination of chemo and a targeted drug (Tarceva). I had Carboplatin, Taxol and Tarceva all at the same time. I was stage IV. In 3 months I was cancer free. It's always good to get a second opinion before starting any treatment.

Ernie

[Andrea]

Tracy,

I don't have much to offer you in way of infomration, but wanted to say welcome. We are neighbors, I am in Anaheim Hills.

Where is your husband getting treated? My parents are treated at Hoag.

[myrnalu]

Tracy,

There is also a chat Tuesday nights.8:00 central time.There maybe someone with some info for you there.

welcome to the forum and glad you found us.

Marie