Advice on clinical trial treatment

Hi,

My Mum has experienced a recurrence of Endometrial Cancer which has advanced to her lungs, a lymph node In  her neck and a suspicious area in her peritoneal lining in the abdomen. She has been included on a clinical trial which she will be placed in either a chemotherapy group or immunotherapy group (Pembrolizumab) as a first line treatment. My Mum had Radiotherapy initially back in November 22, which was deemed initially to be with curative intent. I understand the concerns that you have for your Mum. From what I have read and been informed Immunotherapy has been widely used not just with endometrial cancer but other cancers and has been reported to be tolerated quite well be a significant number of people and has shown to work well in some cases also. Of course with most medicines there are side effects and being directed by your Mum's medical team should enable her to make an informed decision.

My Mum is worried about the side effects, she is due to attend hospital this coming week to start treatment and to find out which treatment group she will be placed in which is selected at random. There are likely some women on the  forum who will have had the same treatment which is being offered to your Mum who may be able to provide further information on it. 

Take Care

Lisa

Hi Lisa thank you so much for your reply, sounds like you and your mum are going through something similar. Think my mum is going to try the immunotherapy drugs, Wishing you and your mum all the very best for this week and hope you get the news we all long to hear x 

Take care 

Joanne x

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for your response. It's positive to hear that your Mum will be trying the immunotherapy treatment, with my Mum she has been attending the hospital most week as part of the screening process for the clinical trial. Last week we spoke to one of the trial Nurses and she explained that on trials they tend to have less patients in general due to the specific criterias for the trials, and she explained that the Nurses tend to be able to spend more time with their patients. There is usually extra monitoring on trials which is often reassuring for patients and their families including you and your Mum. 

Hopefully your Mum will tolerate the treatment well and if any concerns should arise the team will be on hand to manage this accordingly. Tomorrow we will find out which group my Mum will be placed in either the Chemotherapy or Immunotherapy group. The Chemotherapy group is a crossover, meaning that patients placed in this can still have the option of immunotherapy later on where required. I know my Mum is anxious as we are as a family. You clearly care very much for your Mum and want to arm yourself with as much information as possible, I am exactly the same! 

All the very best to your Mum and you also, and please feel free to revisit at any time, it can be helpful and comforting to talk to people who are going through a similar situation and can relate.

xx