deede99
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Stage T1 small cell lung cancer. The 6mm Tumor was removed in a wedge reduction. Her lungs are to bad for lobe removal. The lymph nodes are clean. MRI shows normal. Why does she have to have the Chemo, radiation & brain radiation? It seems like way to much for a 75 year old woman.
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Reply # - March 1, 2014, 05:00 PM
Reply To: Stage T1 small cell lung cancer Tumor removed
The general approach for small cell lung cancer that happens to be detected when small enough to be removed surgically is to follow it with chemo and radiation, as well as to often favor brain radiation. However, it's also extremely unusual to find a small cell lung cancer that is just 6 mm, and there is good reason to question whether it is likely to behave as aggressively as the other 99% of small cell lung cancers, which don't stay at 6 mm in size for long enough to be detected and resected.
Some 75 year-olds are very fit and may have live another decade or two, while others have several significant medical problems and are far less likely to live many years. It's fair to question whether the most treatment that is routinely recommended is ideal for an individual patient, especially if the person is not aggressively inclined or is too frail to pursue the most aggressive path. It may be best to seek a second opinion on the anticipated value vs. risk of chemo, chest radiation, and/or prophylactic cranial irradiation in her specific case.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - March 2, 2014, 04:58 AM
Reply To: Stage T1 small cell lung cancer Tumor removed
The Tumor was found in Late November & removed Feb 24th. In that time little to know growth was found. All the lung tissue around the tumor was clear. My Mom has lost almost 30 pounds since this started. (She now weighs 117) In June before the cancer was found she was diagnosed with Mono. so I don't know if the weight loss is the mono or the cancer. She smoked for 54 years (COPD), has a bone density of -4, and doesn't like many vegetables. If she forgoes the treatments what are the odds it was contained when it was removed? She was active, but not one to exercise. I am just trying to decide which will be worse the cure or the disease.
Reply # - March 2, 2014, 08:22 AM
Reply To: Stage T1 small cell lung cancer Tumor removed
There won't be any appropriate data on such an unusual case as your mom's (The numbers are too small to give good info). Dr. West's comment bares repeating, "it’s also extremely unusual to find a small cell lung cancer that is just 6 mm, and there is good reason to question whether it is likely to behave as aggressively as the other 99% of small cell lung cancers, which don’t stay at 6 mm in size for long enough to be detected and resected."
Eight weeks easily fits into the time range of normal detection and resection. I'm sorry but we can't give a determination about your mom's specific case, no one can without having all the information and that's not within our scope. A second opinion, a second pair of eyes helps in situations that aren't clear.
Janine
Reply # - March 2, 2014, 10:43 AM
Reply To: Stage T1 small cell lung cancer Tumor removed
Yes, we just can't give you numbers to speak to the statistical outcomes of 75 year old women with 6 mm SCLC tumors who have lost 30 pounds. Her weight loss is certainly concerning and would lead me to be concerned that she may well have cancer outside of that area, but I can't give odds, nor would any other person here be able to provide a set of expectations in her very unique situation.
-Dr. West