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Lung cancer, brain metastasis

olena
  • 5 replies
  • 42 subscribers
  • 643 views

Good afternoon, my husband and I left for England a year ago from Ukraine because of the war, my husband has lung cancer. Atezolizumab was prescribed. It has been taken every 21 days since September 2022. The result of the last CT scan showed a tumor in the liver 3*2. High temperature every day for 3 months. Very strong pains in the chest, recently pains in the stomach. They prescribed morphine solution. Blood appeared in the sputum. A head tumor of 23 mm was detected. We got to resuscitation, we get steroids. We are waiting for the doctor's decision. But I'm desperate, I'm not going to give up. What treatment will be effective for us? Is there recruitment for clinical trials? Is it possible to operate on us? Please help!

  •  

    Hi Olena,

    Thank you for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support. My name is David, one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    We are so sorry to hear that your husband’s lung cancer has progressed despite being prescribed Atezolizumab. This must be an extremely worrying time for you both.

    When lung cancer has metastasised / spread to other parts of the body like this then this is classed as an advanced cancer also sometimes known as metastatic lung cancer.

    Treatment options like surgery may be limited and any treatment offered is unfortunately no longer used for curative intent.

    Treatment for lung cancer also depends on the type of lung cancer and the persons general health at that time.

    The aim of any treatment would be to control the cancer for as long as possible and for as long as the person is tolerating the treatment and not suffering too many unwanted side effects of that treatment.

    We are not in a position to be specific about your husband’s case as we don’t have access to his hospital records or test results.

    However, it may be a good idea to have a further discussion with the Consultant and hospital team looking after your husband to explore what treatment options are available as they are best placed to answer these questions.

    You could also ask if there is a suitable clinical trial that your husband may be considered for. Please note though that clinical trials usually have strict criteria on who can be accepted before you take part.

    You mentioned your husband’s symptoms of high temperature, chest pain and stomach pain. These symptoms could be related to the treatment your husband is on or, because of the cancer advancing.

    Again, please make sure the team looking after your husband are aware of these symptoms so they can be managed effectively.

    It may also be an idea to ask about the palliative care team as they can also help with symptom control for people with advanced cancer and support you and your husband at this time.

    Steroids are commonly used in cancer treatment and can help to manage some symptoms. However, like most drugs, they can have unwanted side effects and long-term use is not recommended.

    Sometimes people gain strength in talking to others who may be in a similar situation. Our Lung Cancer Forum may be a good place to start.

    Alternatively, the Roy Castle Foundation or CRUK are also good sources of support and information.

    If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch

     

    Best wishes

    David, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

     

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

     

    Ref/**

    DT/JD

  • in reply to David T - Macmillan

    In other words, we won't get any more cancer drugs?

  • in reply to olena

    Hi Olena,

    In response to your question, just to be clear, we are certainly not saying there will be no further drugs available to your husband.

     But we would strongly advise you to speak directly to your husband’s healthcare team as they will have all his clinical information and are the only ones that can best determine  what could be the most suitable treatment options available to him.

     Hope that clears things up Olena. You might also want to consider discussing this further with one of our nurses on the Macmillan Support Line by calling the free phone number provided below.

    If there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.

    Best wishes

    David, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

     

    Ref/**

    DT/AD

  • in reply to David T - Macmillan

    Please help me find and enroll my husband in clinical trials

  • in reply to olena

    Dear olena

    My name is Luzia, I am one of the Macmillan Cancer Information Nurses from the Support Line.

    Thank you for your most recent comment about helping you to find and enrol your husband in clinical trials. Only your husband’s treatment team, who have his clinical information, are able to help you with suitable treatment options/potential trials. Please speak to his team about this.

    Take care,

    Luzia - Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

    Ref: LzM/JL

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