Keytruda immunotherapy

HiTom143 

Welcome to the forum . This is so interesting . 
Whilst I have not seen immunotherapy being used before surgery ( only observing the forum ) I have noticed a shift in clinical practice and a lot more people are getting chemotherapy to shrink the tumour before surgery . If your cell type gets better results from immunotherapy it makes sense to use it .

Keytrunda has only been funded in recent years in the U.K. . I think around covid times if my memory serves me correctly . It became first line treatment in the states and parts of Europe for a few years before we got it . But some great results coming through for some people . It might be why you are not seeing too much in terms of research s it’s only really in the last year and a half I have noticed a lot more chemotherapy being used prior to surgery . 

New research can suddenly change practice and gives better outcomes .

How have you found it ? 

Court 

Hi, thanks for the message it’s my first time posting. I find the Keytruda treatment doesn’t seem to have many side affects at all, except a bit of overflow constipation where I was dehydrated and had to have fluids but apart from that no side effects. I was told I have a mismatch tumour. I find that the pains I had before I started have all gone and to be honest now unless I was told I had cancer I wouldn’t know I had it. I had my scan last Monday and waiting to see how things are going, the waiting is hard I must admit

That’s great to hear . Always a positive to see symptoms resolve . Can’t get much better than that at this stage .

i have been following peoples with Keytrunda for several years mainly in the states and it’s been wonderful to see it now available in Britain . However initially I was only aware of it in a stage 4 setting . That’s moved on and being used in other settings . What a boost !

So pleased you have not had too many side effects . 

The immune system is so powerful . 

How many more cycles will you have ?

Court 

Hi.Court, I have had 4 so far with another 3 booked. Not to sure how long I will have it, I suppose it will depend on how it goes, although they have given me car parking for a year, maybe that is an indication. I have hopefully the results of my first scan since I started on Tuesday so maybe I’ll know more then.

All the very best with your scan .

Hoping it brings some great news for you .

Parking for a year ! Sounds impressive. But I hope it’s not required for that length of time .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Tom

i was diagnosed with stage 4 inoperable oesophageal cancer in January this year. Currently having chemo, which seems to be working so far after 2 cycles. Interestingly I have just been told I am eligible for Keytruda immunotherapy treatment and will be starting my first cycle in a weeks time alongside the chemo. I have been told it will be for 2 years, (assuming I do not have any major side effects).
Although I have a different cancer to you I would be keen to share views on keytruda side effects as I have been reading some review sites from America and a lot of patients have complained of bad side effects, which has worried me a little. 

 By the way, I have also been given a free car parking pass but finding a free spot is still difficult

Hi Old Grey Whistler  

If you want to read Moi2  s bio by clicking on her user name she has been ok it for a few years and could show you how she has managed with it . The other forums for information are lung and melanoma groups . They have used Keytrunda for years before us and have a lot of information to share . That’s great news it’s being used for oesophagus tumours too .

My friend used it for a spread to a lung tumour which completely cleared an extensive spread unfortunately she fell foul of covid at the height of the pandemic .

Take care and I wish you all the very best . Off to navigate the hospital car park now ! My mum has a blue badge but it’s not possible to get a bay after eight in the morning .

Court 

Hi Old Grey Whisller, I have now had 5 cycles of Keytruda. I too read those sites and was worried but what I found was on my first cycle I was wiped out feeling cold for 2-3 days. Then I felt fine in fact better than for awhile. The only side effects I seem to have was overflow constipation which lasted a few weeks, but I am not sure if that was due to the Keytruda or not. I seem to have very few side effects although I have been told it varies from person to person. The triage team are very good and they always check me before each cycle to see if I have any side effects. I can only comment on how I have found it, but please feel free to ask me anything and always remember there is no such thing as a stupid question 

Thanks for that Tom. Good to know your symptoms were not overwhelming, I am hoping for the same. The chemo treatment I am currently on does give some strange side effects anyway so well used to them, tingling hands and feet when touching anything cold, cramps in fingers, nausea etc, so if Keytruda effects are no worse then I can put up with them.

once I begin treatment I will get back to you if I may?