Unanswered questions: immunotherapy for lung cancer

I was diagnosed with stage 3a havoc which was not resectable due to lymph node location. Had 6 chemo & 30 radiation treatments that went very well.No side effects at all. Started me on Tagrisso and after 2 months developed terrible side effects and ended up in hospital with pneumonitis. Dr said good thing ! Came in. See oncologist Thursday and have no idea what's going to be next. Anyone else have this happen?

Welcome to Mayo Connect @nanajan26, The targeted therapy medications (like Tagrisso) can be amazing when they work, but for some people they come with some scary reactions and side-effects. We'll be interested to hear what your oncologist has to say later this week. Are you feeling better off the drug, and are your lungs are returning to normal?

Hi @frandy , Welcome to Mayo Connect. Lung cancer treatments are complicated, and thankfully that means that the treatments have advanced and that we have options. Having a doctor that can help us understand those options is vital. The doctor patient relationship should be a partnership, and sometimes it takes a bit to find a good partner.
I'm assuming that you've felt this way after seeing this provider more than once? Sometimes they can have bad days too. If this is a repeated behavior, and you aren't getting what you need then you may need to request a different doctor.
You mentioned 'autoimmune therapy'. I think you likely mean Immunotherapy which basically trains your own immune system to find and fight remaining cancer cells. Here's a link for more info: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/treatment/types-of-treatment/immunotherapy
How long ago were you diagnosed? Are you starting to get your energy back after the chemo and radiation?

Hi Lisa,
I did change doctors but they are all in the same group and I got basically the same responses with respect. I’m still having some bad days even though it’s been a month since my treatment ended. I think it’s more from the radiation and the internal radiation burns.
My lack of trust in the doctors and what I read and heard about the med they have to use for the immunotherapy, I won’t do it. If I went through it for the two years they want, it will give me 56+ months/approx. three years (maybe more) and I’m already 70 and it’s very difficult to get around.
I have to make a definite decision within the next few days.
Thank you very much for the info and feedback.

Hi Lisa,
I did change doctors but they are all in the same group and I got basically the same responses with respect. I’m still having some bad days even though it’s been a month since my treatment ended. I think it’s more from the radiation and the internal radiation burns.
My lack of trust in the doctors and what I read and heard about the med they have to use for the immunotherapy, I won’t do it. If I went through it for the two years they want, it will give me 56+ months/approx. three years (maybe more) and I’m already 70 and it’s very difficult to get around.
I have to make a definite decision within the next few days.
Thank you very much for the info and feedback.

Yes, I don't have any of the side effects & my pulse ox has been very good. Anxious about the future

@nanajan26, I'm glad that you're feeling better after the reaction.
It's perfectly normal to feel anxious when presented with a new treatment. The list of side effects is often long and serious. It's always a balance between potential benefit and risk. Have you had a chance to speak with your doctor? Did you discuss the potential alternatives, and the likelihood of each option working for you?

I see him February6 & we will discuss options. Do you know if there's alternative treatment s instead of Imfinzi

My husband had lung cancer and surgery was not an option, he was given Taxol first treatment and went into anaphylactic shock and died Dec 19, 2024. Stay away from that deadly drug.