My mother has been taking Tarceva(Cancers Miracle Drug) for about 10 months now and it has stopped the spreading of her cancer.My mom has lung cancer,which has mestatized to her bones,stomach and lymph nodes,Before the Tarceva her blood count was so low she had to have blood transfusions now her blood count is way up there.She has the normal side effects but my mom is still here and my dad died in 1999 of the same thing.He was diagnosed with lung cancer on Sept 29th and died Dec 3rd.There was no tarceva back then.Obviously there is no cure for Cancer but this medication has given our family hope and almost another year with our mom.To us this is a miracle. Published: October 15, 2007 ::

My wife was diagnosed with NSCL on May 2, 2006 stage IV. She had the standatd chemotherapy for about 2 months, then after a break, she had 15 Radiation treatments on her lower spine (5th Lumbar). then she was place on a study using Avastin IV and Tarceva oral (150mg). She has been on this combo for over 1 year. overall, it has stopped the growth of the tumor in her lung-the radiated tumor never came back. However, the neuropathy she experiences is sometimes overwhelming- coughing, sneezing hurt her, her hands and feet have always tingled and hurt-sometimes quite a lot. Nothing has been effective to reduce this problem. Her Dr.receintly stopped the Tarceva after she ecperienced so many of the side effects all at once. Weight loss, rash(s), mouth sores, split lip/ finger tips. after being off of the drug for 5 days, she returned to normal. After two weeks the Dr. put her back on the drug at a lower dose 100 mg vs 150mg. She experienced rectal bleeding two weeks ago so the Dr stopped the every three week dose of Avastin-a Colonoscopy has been scheduled... the latest problem is Foot-drop. But the real important thing is that the combination of the two drugs do work. She had CT scans about every 6 weeks and they always show that the tumor is stable-no growth. and there is no growth anywhere else! Published: June 03, 2008 ::

rash/face hair, belly button, heel Published: October 02, 2007 ::

My mom, who is 85 years old, has been on Tarceva for l year now and is doing great. This has been the only treatment she has had. She is only on 100mg, and her latest catscan has shown, slow growing....Wonderful for my mom as well as her family.... Published: July 09, 2008 ::

I started taking Tarceva in Sept 2005. At first I was taking 150 mg but my doctor reduced it to 75 mg because of the extreme diarrhea and terrible rash on my face. I am still taking it (September 2008) and although I still have problems with diarrhea I am alive and still working. I will be 68 in October and have been able to enjoy my life and see my grandchildren grow. I am married to a wonderful man and we enjoy life and each other. I do not know how long this will all last but I know that without the Tarceva I probably would not be alive. I have a PET scan every six months and will be due again in November. I will try to write you again and tell you how I am doing. Published: September 16, 2008 ::

I am non smoker diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in the spring of 2007. My tumor could only be treated by chemo. After first treatment the cancer was quiet for about 10 months. I couldn't tolerate the 2nd round of chemo. My oncologist started me on 150mg of Tarceva. I had a severe skin rash, mouth & nose sores, etc. after 5 days on the drug. He immediately stopped treatment, I recovered in 5 days. He lowered the dose to 100mg, I take it for 5 days and off 2 each week. I have been able to tolerate it quite well after 6 mos. When started cancer was agressive and had spread to other lung and in my chest. After starting Tarceva, the first CAT scan showed all cancer cleared up except for the original tumor, which has been progressively decreasing since. I do have a fatigue that comes and goes with other slight side effects. So far this drug is truly saving my life. I thank God for it. Published: January 10, 2009 ::

My father had mesothelioma.He had been taking other chemo and improving.When the improvement slowed and then stopped,he was switched to Tarceva.In three weeks,he was dead.He lost several pounds a week,had explosive diarrhia,and suffered from dehydration,even while taking in a normal amount of water.The drug was stopped,but the problems continued.The first two weeks he had no strong reaction other than weight loss,but the last week devastated him,the onset of severe adverse reactions taking place in less than a day,and continuing even after the drug was stopped.Remember,Tarceva is a drug of last resort,but if the doctor prescribing it isn't very attentive to the reaction of the patient,it can be very deadly,very quickly.This occurred in southeast Virginia,so if you are using an oncologist in this area,remember that some of them aren't very up to date on the side effects and aren't too attentive to patients using this drug,sometimes not even returning calls.Use extreme caution in taking this drug,and make sure the doctor will be available to the patient immediately if adverse reactions occur,as time is short between onset and fatal adverse reaction to the drug. Published: July 21, 2008 ::