Extended gaps between treatment for sclc

Hi Anna and a very warm welcome to the lung cancer group

I'm not actually a member of this group but noticed that your post hadn't had any response yet. By replying to you it will 'bump' it back to the top of the page where it'll hopefully be seen by someone with the experience you need.

When you have a minute it would be useful if could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Edit Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Thanks for the response. I suspect that my original post was too long and dull to read hence the lack of responses!  I was really trying to find out what kind of treatment delays people are experiencing because of Covid - and what if any effect delays are having on outcomes.   I’ve decided to go with the 6 week interval but only because I’m due to have a scan a few days after the next scan so Ill hopefully get some idea what effect the delay will have on me. 

Hi Anna

Sorry for the delay in responding to your initial post.

I appreciate your concern regarding the increased timescale between the immunotherapy treatment, however there are so many positive aspects in your post.  The 'gaps' are designed to shield you and your compromised immune system from covid-19 and are unlikely to have a negative overall impact on managing the cancer, and the classic SCLC chemo combo has had a massive positive impact on both the lung tumours and the mets.

The one aspect that made my heart sing is that you have been granted early access to a SCLC immunotherapy treatment. As you will know immunotherapy for SCLC lags way behind that for other lung cancers, so by being effectively on a trial for this immunotherapy you will be monitored more closely (which is a good thing!). I always think of trials as being akin to being invited to turn left when you get on a plane; the destination is the same but you are travelling in first class.

Please keep us all up to date how the immunotherapy treatment in going, and I wish you the best possible outcomes.

Stay safe.

Kegsy x

Thanks for your response. Since the original post, there have been developments - The drug company funding my immunotherapy told the hospital that they would only continue to supply it if it was given at the original 21 cycle. So the choice was 21 days or nothing. I’ve agreed to go with the 21 days. I did suggest that they (the drug co) might provide a COVID free environment for the treatment!  We’ll see!

 Remember that your concern was the proposed extended period between cycles  could have a negative impact on the cancer. So great news that the drug company intervened and you are back on the 21 day cycle; this is great news! 

When going through cancer treatment, grab the positives and hold on tight.

Good luck with the treatment.

Kegsy  x 

Absolutely. I’m actually really happy to be going back to the original cycle, though slightly concerned about the COVID risk. It would be good if a huge drug company could make provision for COVID free treatment areas (in an ideal world) but I mean so grateful to be getting innovative treatment for sclc