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Does Taking Tarceva Responsible For Paralysis In Lung Cancer Patient?
Hello! I have a question to Dr. j. krueger!
my step father is last stage of lung cancer since 2007. he was doing so well until no reson his oncologist precribed him Tarceva, he become very ill. Now he has bone matastasis to his lung , spinal arm brain, on his left foot as well.
unfortunately, his oncologist didn't tell him any worsened condition. he just took tarvceva for 7-8months. now he is paralized( waste below). do you have any suggestion?
my step father is last stage of lung cancer since 2007. he was doing so well until no reson his oncologist precribed him Tarceva, he become very ill. Now he has bone matastasis to his lung , spinal arm brain, on his left foot as well.
unfortunately, his oncologist didn't tell him any worsened condition. he just took tarvceva for 7-8months. now he is paralized( waste below). do you have any suggestion?
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 25 Oct 2016
Answered on
Wed, 26 Oct 2016
Last reviewed on
Hello
Terceva (Erlotinib): is a oral medication used to treat different kinds of malignant tumors and it its usually used in Lung tumors that harbor EGFR mutations. Patients with this mutation have a good response to these medication that can last around 8 to 10 months, unfortunately most of the tumors become resistant to the treatment and progress and a change of medication is needed.
Among the most common side effects of Terceva are: rash and diarrhea (1 in 10 patients that take it), and rare side effects such as cerebrovascular accidents, GI bleeding, and hepatic toxicity.
The symptoms that your father is experiencing are more likely due to disease progression (the tumor is now resistant to terceva) especially if he has metastasis to the spine and brain. He needs an urgent oncologic consultation because this paralysis (waste below) may need urgent treatment.
Terceva (Erlotinib): is a oral medication used to treat different kinds of malignant tumors and it its usually used in Lung tumors that harbor EGFR mutations. Patients with this mutation have a good response to these medication that can last around 8 to 10 months, unfortunately most of the tumors become resistant to the treatment and progress and a change of medication is needed.
Among the most common side effects of Terceva are: rash and diarrhea (1 in 10 patients that take it), and rare side effects such as cerebrovascular accidents, GI bleeding, and hepatic toxicity.
The symptoms that your father is experiencing are more likely due to disease progression (the tumor is now resistant to terceva) especially if he has metastasis to the spine and brain. He needs an urgent oncologic consultation because this paralysis (waste below) may need urgent treatment.
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