... cancer. Her PDL-1's are at 80% without any abnormal EFGR or ALK genes. I have read that this exact type of cancer is what Keytruda excels at addressing. Has anyone else had this diagnosis? I realize everyone reacts differently, but I am curious as to how soon after treatment you may have seen tumors shrink. Or, are they still growing? This cancer is growing "very fast", according to medical professionals and I am hopeful Keytruda will help minimize the growth. Thanks in advance for any advice/shared experiences.
Advice on Keytruda results My mom has been diagnosed with Stage IV advanced non-small cell lung?
Question posted by mh91675 on 18 Oct 2017
Last updated on 6 January 2019 by RWiggins
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5 Answers
RWiggins
6 Jan 2019
I too suffered from extreme fatigue and my oncologist put me on Ritalin and it made an enormous improvement. I highly recommend it!
Patvicky
14 Sep 2018
It sounds like you can give it a try . I have stage 4 cervical cancer which spread to my lungs and brain and they gave me keytruda i am on my third treatment and im feeling extremely fatigued . I sleep all day and have lost all my muscle and fat and im extremely weak . Ask the doctors if these are the side effects it looks like my quality of life is diminishing while on keytruda. but I don't know if it is because it gets worse before it gets better. Do you think the doctors are going to tell us about the people who are not doing well on keytruda I don't know about that ask your doctor if you can talk to people who are actually on the drug in the Institute where you will be getting it and then find out
aquilina71
9 Jan 2018
Dear mh91675,
I am 46 years old. The end of March 2017 I had what they believed to be a fatty tumor removed from my outer abdomen. It was tested and determined to be adenocarcinoma. The primary site of cancer was found to be in my lungs. In April 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 4 NSCLC. My PD-L1 was 64% without any abnormal EFGR or ALK genes. A PETscan revealed a single tumor 3cm in size in my upper left lung. No additional masses were found. My first infusion of Keytruda (my first only line of treatment) was administered the end of April 2017. I experienced some muscle aches and fatigue right after the first 2 treatments. By the 3rd treatment this stopped. I also experienced weight gain (40 lbs as of today), a break in my menstrual cycle and a spike in my hormone levels. Not a big deal considering. A 2nd PETscan was done at the end of July. The tumor shrank to 2cm and was found to be significantly less dense.
They were extremely pleased and surprised at how much the tumor broke down. I continued to receive my treatments every 3 weeks until I went for surgery. In September I had my upper left lung removed. When the tumor was tested again, they found that it had completely dissipated with no live cancer cells found. All my surrounding lymph nodes were also clean. I am now back on the Keytruda every 3 weeks since October. My oncologist said I will only have a few more treatments. Another PETscan will be given and I will then be monitored closely. I believe that the most important part of this whole process is to have a positive attitude. I decided right from the beginning that I would survive. Although I had my bad moments, I prayed and kept focusing on getting better. I pray that your mom and all others experience positive results as well.
gma1946
23 Dec 2017
Dear mh91675,
I was diagnosed with the exact type of cancer your Mom has, but my PD-L1 read 90%, which is
what Keytruda works best with. I had my first infusion 3 weeks ago, and the marble sized lymph nodes in my neck have shrunk to the point I cannot find them. I have had no side effects with
my 2nd infusion which I had yesterday, just a bit tired. I will continue with the Keytruda for at least
another 3 to 6 months along with blood tests each time, and then onto another CT or PT scan. I have confidence and faith my cancer will have almost dissipated. I am 71, and not ready to throw in the towel, so please tell your Mom to have a positive outlook... Keytruda is going to work for her.
NARJAR
30 Nov 2017
I started on Keytruda in January of 2017 following three months of Chemo. The Chemo was ineffective and the cancer spread to my liver. The last scan was done in September 2017 and the tumors have significantly decreased in both the liver and lungs. Infusion every three weeks. Next scan is scheduled in January 2018. Hopes this helps.
Neil
Related topics
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, diagnosis, lungs, keytruda, lung
Further information
- Keytruda uses and safety info
- Keytruda prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Keytruda (detailed)
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