Hi All,
My friend is having a rare cancer here - nasopharyngeal carcinoma and after some consultations, it is clear that this is the right treatment option for him.
The question is then,
1) where could he get this treatment?
2) how much does it cost and when he could get it?
If any of you gentlemen and ladies know how to get the answers for the above, it would be very much appreciated to point us the directions. thanks.
Regards,
Stephen
Hi Stev,
My name is Keith and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists
Welcome to the online community.
With every cancer diagnosis everyone can be affected different by both the diagnosis and its treatment For this reason, we always advise discussing any concerns regarding accessing the correct treatment with your friend’s current treatment team ( multidisciplinary team (MDT)).
From what you have mentioned regarding your friend’s diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma the use of Toripalimab has been advised. As we are a charitable organisation, we cannot access anyone’s medical records so our advice can only be general.
Looking at information about this drug on the NICE website it would appear it hasn’t been approved as yet for use under the NHS . However, this information from the European Medicine Agency has approved its use in the EU.
In the NHS access to approved treatment is usually straight forward and treatment should be organised by your friend’s MDT. There can be exceptions where drugs are not licensed or available via the NHS, but usually in this situation the consultant would advocate and still be the person to request /obtain these drugs.
If your friend is receiving treatment privately this responsibility would then fall at the doorstep of his private consultant if this drug is licensed it can be often accessed privately. In regards to costing this can be so variable from one health care provider to Another . Looking at this link may be helpful to look at
If you think it may be helpful why not give our support line a call and have a chat with one of our nurses.to discuss this in a little more detail if required
I hope this information is helpful and has answered your questions.
The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.
take care.
Keith, 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 KM/KS
