Treatment interruptions

Hi Librarian 

I'm sorry to read that you've had frequent interruptions to your treatment and I can understand why you're wondering if this is okay.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

Do you have a CNS (cancer nurse specialist), as they should be able to tell you what, if any, effect not being able to have some of your treatment might have?

Wishing you all the best

Hi

I haven't had frequent treatment interruptions, but I did have my treatment paused due to an adverse reaction to ipilimumab.  I went on a 30mg dose of prednisole steroid to calm things down which took about 8 weeks and then I was able to re-start immunology with nivolumab only.   I had a good response to the treatment which ended in June 2024 (my choice) because I'd had all the benefits I could gain from it.  I sound very calm about it now, but that was not my experience at the time!  I was desperate to restart immuno, couldn't stop thinking about it all the time.  I read loads of white papers on the subject.  Many told me that gaps in treatment had no effect on the treatment outcomes.  My onco told me the same, but I just didn't want a break, to take the chance. 

I would suggest there is no change to the outcomes you will get  from the interruptions in Lenvatinib.  Be encouraged that the pembro is unaffected.  On dual therapy the second immuno drug adds a little more success in a combination than alone.  You are still getting the pembro on schedule.  Even if both were interrupted I'd say the same thing.  Easy to say, difficult to believe, I know. 

Good luck with your treatment.     

Hi Latchbrook, thank you for your reply. I don't have a specific CNS. I see the oncologist next month post scan so will wait and see what they show.

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. It has reassured me a lot. I was supposed to have a radical nephrectomy originally but it was over-ruled by the consultant as too risky due to size and position of tumour. So, immunotherapy and targeted therapy to shrink it. The theory is that I have the op when it has shrunk sufficiently but I'm not holding my breath on that one. Time will tell.