Biopsy Official Results

The Short Version

The official diagnosis from the biopsy is non-small cell adenocarcinoma. Non-small cell is good – less aggressive than small cell lung cancer. Sub-type adenocarcinoma may potentially make me a good candidate for a drug called Tarceva, which is getting some encouraging results.  I will be having the PET scan tomorrow to look for any other potential cancer sites and will also meet with one of the radiation oncologists at Highland Park Hospital for a consultation on their recommended approach to treatment. They have already indicated they want to do full brain radiation to reduce the lesions in the brain as the first course of action.  After these sessions tomorrow, we should have enough information to begin making decisions about where to go for second opinions and to get the best treatment.

The Longer Story

I received a call from the oncologist, Dr. Law, this evening.  The official diagnosis from the biopsy is non-small cell adenocarcinoma.  Non-small cell is good – less aggressive than small cell lung cancer. The fact that it is sub-type adenocarcinoma may potentially make me a good candidate for a drug called Tarceva, which is getting some encouraging results. This type of drug more specifically targets cancer cells and does less damage to normal cells. It targets a protein called the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR, which helps cells to divide, is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, including many cases of non-small cell lung cancer. Researchers think that by interfering with EGFR, Tarcera may keep tumors from growing.  They will have to do additional analysis of my biopsy sample to see if I have the right markers in my cancer for this paticular treatment.

In the meantime, I will be having the PET scan tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. to look for any other potential cancer sites.  This is done by injecting a glucose compound into the body which is drawn to areas of malignancy and inflammation, then scanning the body for the glucose accumulations. 

At 1:30, I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Michael Lacombe, one of the radiation oncologists at Highland Park Hospital for a consultation on their recommended approach.  They have already indicated they want to do full brain radiation first to reduce the lesions in the brain.  The lung mass is of secondary concern at this point.  I probably won't find out if I have the markers for the Tarcera treatment tomorrow (this would be for the lung mass anyway).  I may get preliminary results from the PET scan by the 1:30 meeting though.

Once we have the information from tomorrow's sessions, my family and I will begin the work of determining where the best doctors and treatment centers are for my particular cancer type and decide where to get a second opinion (or even a third, if necessary).