Jasonscohen82

Jasonscohen82,
First let me say that I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I used to get a notice when someone sent me a question, but that doesn't seem to happen anymore. Nevertheless...let me try and answer your question. Congratulations on the scan results...thats wonderful news! It is true that SCC does return and sooner rather than later. A good oncologist knows this so surveillance should always be thorough. As to the treatments...I agree that radiation would not be my first choice for maintenance therapy. It's the gift that keeps on giving long after the treatments are over. It's a big gun you want to keep hot in the holster and only use when necessary. I think the Keytruda or Opdivo is a good option. This type of therapy will boost the immune system and that's always a good thing. Usually you hear the word "Consolidation" with blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma. Their treatments are worded as such: Induction-consolidation-remission-salvage. However I have seen it used on other cancers once in awhile. It's a fancy word for 2nd line treatments. I used to do studies and with studies there is always a list of inclusion/exclusion criteria. It can be hard to get into a study. First of all you have to be "washed" off your current therapy for 1 month and then depending on the drug you may have to get an echocardiogram because some of these drugs can be cardiotoxic. If your mom has co-morbidities that could exclude her as well. I don't know where you are getting the study info...what site you are using. I always use Centerwatch. You can Google centerwatch clinical trials and you will find the site. They are always updating to bring the most current information forward. Now a bit of education...there are various types of lung cancers. BAC or bronchioalveolar carcinoma is a cancer that rarely needs treatment. It is cofined to the lung and never moves. It usually resolves itself. Large cell or adenocarcinoma of the lung are under the umbrella of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) which is usually the most common type that starts in either the apex or base of the lung so it's easier to get rid of surgically and easy to reach with chemo or targeted therapies. Small Cell and squamous cell always start in the middle of the lung. Harder to reach. Squamous cell creates caves to hide in so hard to get treatment there. Those two are the trickiest types. You really have to study the behavior of the disease to stay ahead of it. Some docs will give drugs to enhance maintenance and some docs prefer surveillance and hold those options for when they need it most. And in example...I have been with over 500 patients at their time of death. Of that number, 95% were cancer patients, and of that group 90% died from the treatment...not the disease. As I have stated before, the Checkmate 032 study with Opdivo and Yervoy is used on SCC. Let me just say this...what determines how long a patient stays in the battle depends on whether they see themselves as a person with cancer or lose their identity and become a cancer with a human host...your mom should always put herself first, her quality of life. Fancy names for what ails you often scare patients who forget who they are. This is just biology and nothing more than that. Never give it any more power then it already has. Your mom is one of the chosen few who can stand on that battlefield and dig her heels into its dirt while the rest of us have to stand on the sidelines. It takes a special person to be a warrior...remember that. I will check thoroughly every day for responses and I apologize for not posting a reply sooner. I hope this helps you when you have to consider the next yourself action.

Have Faith Jason,
in Your Dr's and Caretakers--I had sc lc about 5 years ago and have been clean to date--I just received my checkup cat scan and blood work and Thank God and my prayer chain and caregivers I am free-Next scan in a year--I never gave up HOPE - I had 4 chemo treatments and 12-14 radiation treatments-I had faith in GOD he would let me take care of my Wife and see my Grandchildren grow up-Mt Oncologist was a Saint and so were all the other Doctors and Caregivers with the number one leading, MY WIFE -NEVER GIVE UP - I am Praying for you

Thank You and we will Pray for her - Stand by her as you have and things will work out - I Pray

Jason, we hope your Mom is doing OK, how is everything?

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