atlamberg Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 My mom has lung adenocarcinoma with a kras mutation. She had her tumor resected in '09 and then adjuvant chemotherapy (taxotere and venorelbine) for 8 treatments. Ct scan in July '09 was clear. 6 months later in Jan. '10 there was a recurrence in her lungs (10 spots). She went on Alimpta and Avastin for 2 treatments and Ct scan showed that it remained stable was did not shrink. Mom found out about a alternative therapy which she wanted to try so went off the chemo. Next Ct/Pet scan (May'10) showed more spots and that the others grew. Now she has to decide whether to go on Alimpta again without Avastin (because she is spitting up blood) or Gemzar. Help please as this decision is really difficult! Anyone know about this kras mutation and what would help most? Thank you so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Hi Atlamberg, I am sorry to hear this about your mom. You might get more information about Kras from our medical expert Dr Jack West at http://cancergrace.org/board-of-directors/howard-jack-west Hugs and prayers, Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joppette Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 Yes, definitely contact Dr. West. I have no experience with this, so am unable to give any advice other than talk to Dr. West. Wishing the best for you and Mom. Judy in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted May 10, 2010 Share Posted May 10, 2010 What course of action does her oncologist recommend? Had she considered getting a second opinion? Hope Dr. West has some good info. for you. Best wishes to both of you. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlamberg Posted May 11, 2010 Author Share Posted May 11, 2010 Thanks so much for the responses! Really appreciated! Read some info. on Dr. Wests website. Will contact him tomorrow...thank you! Her oncologist thinks she should try Gemzar since she tried Alimpta for 2 treatments and the tumors did not shrink, only stayed stable. But she feels she didn't give Alimpta enough of a chance. Also, Gemzar supposedly has more side effects and she is afraid. There seems to be limited treatments available for Kras mutations. So sad!!!! Thanks again, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlemike Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 Sorry to hear about your mother. I had 4 cycles of gemzar and carboplatin and the side effects werent unbearable. I pray the very best for good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recce101 Posted May 11, 2010 Share Posted May 11, 2010 After a couple lines of treatment, tumor shrinkage is quite hard to come by. But stable is good, and stable for a long time is very good! My last tumor shrinkage was in early 2007, and since then I've alternated between periods of slight growth and stability. That's probably the best I'll be able to do, and that's okay. Yes, please post a question at cancergrace.org. Take a look at the "GRACE Website Tutorial" on the opening page for guidelines. Best wishes and Aloha, Ned Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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