Unanswered questions: immunotherapy for lung cancer
I'm on the end of my Chemo & Radiation treatment for small cell lung cancer. My cancer doctor mentioned a one year autoimmune therapy but refused to answer any questions about it until the time comes. To the point that he yelled at me for asking the questions. I am so confused and frustrated. This entire cancer experience is new to me and even though I requested all my risks, systems, procedures, everything explained to me in the very beginning, I learned quickly, my requests were ignored. I'm seeing the top cancer doctors in my area. But, I'm looking at making a decision on to live or die. Please, any information will be greatly appreciated.
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I know Taxol is chemo, he only received 1 immunotherapy treatment when he was done with a different chemo. Never lived long enough for anything else.
Get a second opinion. If your MD doesn’t communicate with you and answer your questions find someone who will. It’s their job of patient care and that includes information and counseling.
Sounds like it's time to find another doctor, if he can't speak rationally or answer your questions what good is it
I was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2012 and it had spread to my liver. Only had 6-9 months to live. Well went through the chemo and my doctor also worked on cures for cancer so I did a trial it was a white blood cell vaccination. I went into remission then a little while later I got cancer in my lymph nodes we did extensive chemo and radiation and in 2015 I went into remission once again. This lasted for 10 years thank the Lord and my doctor.
Here it is 2025 and my lung cancer which has spread to my liver is back. I went to Salt Lake City for a second opinion on treatment and the doctor indicated the trial I was on had failed and I was the only one that survived it. Pretty shocking I thought that was what kept me alive.
So here I am doing immunotherapy and chemotherapy which is what they said they would do. My lung mass is 6x7 and liver 3x4 radiation is a little iffy since I had so much years ago. But if it’s needed I will go to Salt Lake City I do not trust doctors here.
Ive just finished my fourth session of three days of chemo and immunotherapy. I have another three days beginning of May then a pet scan to see where I’m at.
It’s a process we have to go through but we are just trying to stay positive and alive!!!! Always stay positive it is so important. God has me in his hands.
God bless you all!
I'm considering not doing any treatment.
Hello @swolf5, You have quite the story! The trial may have helped you, you just never know. Whatever worked, it's inspirational.
Were you on any sort of monitoring program, scans on a regular scheduled basis? How did you find the recurrence?
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis of small cell cancer. I have 3rd stage none small cell squamous cell carcinoma and have had 30 radiation and 7 chemo visits. I also have COPD.. the effects of the chemo and radiation therapy were minimal and improved things my cancer is inoperable. I started immuno therapy, Imfizi...it does have side effects, I have been doing it for 6 months, once a month infusion, it's 38,000 a dose and I get inflammation in my lungs, my joints and water goes right thru me for a couple of days and my my digestive system questions every thing I eat..it causes gas..it makes me extremely tired some days.. I have worked through this the whole time, but I have a desk job and a supportive boss and co workers that are praying for me. You really have to monitor the immuno therapy while you are on it..it can attack other things. My cancer is in remission currently, this is supposed to keep it from coming back..I do realize that small cell cancer is harder to treat then none small cell.. good luck, I am thinking of and saying a prayer that God brings you through this.
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I agree
I also have COPD and inoperable stage 3 squamous NSCLC diagnosed in August 2023 and finished up a year of Imfimzi treatments in February 2025 . I also had 30 radiation and 6 chemo treatments before immunotherapy. Now getting 3-month CTs to monitor
I did get pneumonitis after the initial immunotherapy and this delayed treatment for 6 weeks and was treated with prednisone
I did not have too many other side effects until immunotherapy ended and have had three bouts one with the flu and two with bronchitis/sinusitis/chest congestion/shortness of breath treated with antibiotics and lower dose prednisone. Some of this was exacerbated by allergies (especially from golf courses) . Not sure if this resulted from post immunotherapy side effects
Overall have felt pretty good and side effects but too bad