Any experience with Keytruda?

Hi Scott,
That is so great that your throat cancer is gone! However, you do have the other to deal with. That is odd that they want you to have 6 months of Keytruda before they do surgery! My husband had lung cancer. They gave him Keytruda. A side effect of Keytruda is Pancreatitis which he got and almost died. Luckily our primary care doctor, not the cancer doctor got him to the right specialist and my husband survived. My husband refused anymore Keytruda treatments which angered the cancer doctor so she refused to see him. She was mad because Keytruda treatments cost $25,000 per infusion at that time. I know because I asked the insurance company. The insurance company had just approved my husband for a year of Keytruda treatments when he refused them. Needless to say we found another cancer doctor who was very reasonable and respected my husband's wishes. My husband lived for 14 years with lung cancer. He died in 2024.

I would suggest that you research the side effects of Keytruda and there are many before you make your decision. Also you may want to find another doctor who will do what you want without the Keytruda infusions first. Keytruda is a very strong medication. It has helped people and then it's been just terrible for others. Everyone is different. Whatever decision you make remember it's your body and your money.

I would suggest that you also pray about this issue. God is there for you. You just have to ask. He made you and he can fix you! I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

Thank you. My preference would be to just remove the tumor surgically. However, they feel that because it is a metastasis, the 6 months ensures that there are no further metastasis prior to the surgery.

Hi Scott- I'm 63, white male. My liver lesion biopsy isn't until Friday, but we're pretty sure cancer has spread to my liver from the Renal Cell Carcinoma that was surgically removed from my right kidney. If I could go back and change things, I would have had the whole kidney removed 3 years ago, when there was no evidence of spreading or anything like that. I will be getting some more info after the biopsy, and will be glad to share what's presented to me as soon as I can. My Urologist did say that the next step would likely be immunotherapy, but Keytruda wasn't specifically mentioned. I have read, that it is a good idea to get genome sequencing early after diagnosis. This apparently can help decide which therapy might be best for your body and specific cancer. Hope this helps!

@scottmcf1431 As @franklin25 stated, he has metastasis 3 years after surgery. The mindset of treatment prior to surgery, and frequently afterwards, is more common today than ever before to avoid future metastasis. As with all treatments, there are potential side effects. Everyone and every body is different. Unfortunately, treating cancer doesn't have a one size fits all solution. Keep doing your homework. Keep asking questions. Gather as much information as you need to make the best choice that works for you. Ultimately, it is your decision and your consequences of the decision. Be as informed and comfortable as possible when you decide. Make sense?