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[QUOTE="MCC, post: 1879684, member: 145"]
Best wishes to her for optimal outcomes on all fronts.  Given that she's female and a never-smoker, I do hope her oncologist sent a tumor sample off for genetic / molecular testing.  Mutations in a gene called EGFR are particularly prevalent in non-smokers diagnosed with lung cancer.  Patients harboring such mutations often do quite well on drugs in a class called TKI (tyrosine kinase inhibitors), of which Tarceva is probably most commonly used.  If a tumor sample is sent off for testing, it's also advisable to look for gene rearrangements; one called ALK fusion indicates that a drug called Xalkori should be effective.

There are several other examples of gene mutations / rearrangements (KRAS, BRAF, RET/ROS/MET) that might suggest targeted therapy, or 'personalized medicine'.  Each of these options are generally much more tolerable than traditional chemo (platinum doublets), and can lead to better quality of life and longer survival.  If you're with a good team at a major cancer center, then I suspect all of these options have at least been put on the table.

Again, my thoughts are with you and your sister - and a donation is on the way.
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