SCLC mets to bone & liver

[krisw]

Hi Ya'll,

I have been a member of this board since last summer when my mother was first diagnosed with SCLC. You all have been a source of strength, encouragement and inspiration over the last several months, and for that I am thankful to our Lord. I have gained alot of information and hope from you and have finally decided to post my first message.

I have a few questions:

1. Is Topotecan the standard treatment for this reoccurrence? I noticed some other drugs (even stem cell) out there being used for 2nd line treatment so am wondering what everyone else is using and if anyone is seeing success with Topotecan?

2. My Mom is currently taking Topotecan 5 days on, 3 weeks off. Her doctor wants to switch her chemo to once/week, thinking it will be easier and possibly more effective. Any knowledge on this and which may be more effective?

3. Any recommendations on meds for pain? They've switched her a couple of times now and NOTHING seems to work for very long, if at all. Currently, she is on Oxycodone (5mg) & Oxycontin (20mg).

4. One last question... What does PCI stand for? I've seen some of you mention going through this treatment and other times it's not recommended. How do you know?

Thank you. God bless you.

Kris

[Guest bean_si (Not Active)]

Kris, PCI stands for Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation. It seems your mom already had that in October.

I have heard of Topotecan. It has been effective in SCLC. Also it is presently being researched for brain mets as it is one of the few chemo drugs that appears to cross the blood-brain barrier.

Sorry I don't have more info. Best wishes for you and your mom.

Cat

[MO_Sugar]

When my sclc came back they gave me one dose of Topotecan and then changed me to Carbo / Taxol with the Taxol every week and the Carbo every 3rd week. It has helped with my lymph nodes but not so much with my liver so far. I have been lucky (thank you God) to not have much pain but when I do I take Darvocet-N 100 and it seems to take it away. Your Mom and family will be in my prayers.

God Bless,

MO

[dani hobbs]

PCI stands for prophylactic cranial irradiation. Often SCLC metastasizes to the brain & the cancer cells are too small to detect so the oncologist will recommend PCI, which is a series of radiation treatments on the brain as a possible preventative of brain metastasis. I believe it usually is offered only to people with limited stage SCLC. It often has many side effects, including memory loss and coordination problems, to name only a few. It's a difficult decision to make.