Hi, I'm new here, but by reading some of the posts, I feel everyone here is so friendly and helpful. I 'd like to ask if anyone has been taking IRESSA for a long period of time and if there's any severe side-effect? My mom has been taking IRESSA for little over a year now, ant this drug works great for her. She had nsclc for three years and had reoccurance after one year of operation. Since she took IRESSA, all the spots in her lung dissapeared, and it's been 6 months now. She hasn't had any sideeffect until lately she started having diarrhea. I wonder if she should continue taking the drug or should stop for some time. Just by thinking this drug is so powerful(it kills cancer cells!) make me wondering now since all the cancer cells are all gone, it starts to kill good cells. Since my mom lives in China and the doctors there have very little experience regarding the drug, anyone has similar experience or any opinion is highly appreciated!

Shammy

Do you know how much Iressa costs???:nono

Mom was on Iressa, she got it free through a drug testing program. Did it cure her??? no Did it relieve some of her symptoms???? yes.

Thanks for your quick reply. My father-in-law wants to try it but was told it cost $2000 a month. Is that crazy or what???

Does anyone have any info on how long a person must be on Iressa before they can see any changes? How soon should a chest xray be done? Any info on the subject of Iressa would be helpful. Any negative or positive comments?

Since there have been no responses to the questions on response time to Iressa, I am guessing that no one has been on it long enough to give an opinion. The information from the drug company does not say how long one must be taking it to see a change,or when a new chest xray should be done,to evaluate the response to the drug. Guess we will wait and see for now.

Thank you for your information! We certainly can use all the help we can get. Have been looking everywhere for a response time. I appreciate your sending this message. I will call them soon! Thank you again.

In my mother's case, she responded to Iressa very well.She started took IRESSA after reoccurance(typo?).After 3 mos, CT scan showed spots on her right lungs were gone, and after another 3 mos, the CT scan showed all the spots were gone. It was amazing. But this effective periods of 7-36 mos make me wondering whether it would stop working after this period.

Shammy

Would you mind sharing what stage your mom's nsclc was, when diagnosed? My brother was at IIIB. The Dr. has not said when he will test,or how long he will give this to him,before testing. We think he seems a little better. Wondering if we should ask when there will be a scan done.

shammyl: I see you are in Houston,too. Do you have an excellent oncologist there? Seems you have been very fortunate in your mom's response to Iressa.Good luck to you. Do you like her dr, and is she also in Houston?

Hi,

The 18+ months refers to when the article was first published. Now that the study has lasted over 36 months you have people who have survived the whole 36 months, and I am sure that when the new results are published the survival time will be over 48+ months depending on the individual and could possible work indefinitely. For some people though the drug may not work or it could work for just a couple of months.

Kimmy

[This message has been edited by Kimmymo (edited 07-26-2003).]

pinkzen,
I do not actually know my mom's stage since she is in China and they do not use stage method over there. She was diagnosed nsclc and did the operation in July 1999. Spots were found in her left lung and lymp nodes. From my understanding she was probably in stage III. Half of her left lung was removed. Reoccurance was found a year later in one lung and five months later another. She went through 7 round chmo-Tyxol and carbo(typo?), very little effect, started use IRESSA March 2002. She is spot-free till now. She's on the test program for international patients. Hope these info helpful and good luck to your brother.
shammyl

Kimmy,
Thanks for the reply. I do hope this drug will continue do the wonder on my mom, and those who are using it.
shammy

I spoke with my father today about Iressa. He talked to his oncologist on Friday about a medication, he can't remember what it was. His lung cancer metatasized to his liver. He is being treated as an individual. Iressa treats lung cancer.

Nancy

Hi,
Even if your Lung cancer moves to your liver, Brain, bone or anywhere else it is still Lung cancer and can be treated with Iressa or any other lung cancer treatment.

Kimmy

Hi all,

My father has small cell lung cancer in limited stage. Does anyone know can Iressa is also ok for SCLC patient? Thank you ~~