I was reading Dr West's forum & couldn't find to join so hopefully he may still be able to answer my question. I had an incidental finding of RUL mass on neck MRI (technician saved my life I'm sure) in 4/15 and was completely asymptomatic of normal lung Ca symptoms. 35pack/yr history of smoking but quit 4 years prior. CT showed 6 x7 cm mass around right bronchus & over fissure of middle lobe. No mets on PET good PFTs so had right pneumonectomy 1 month later. Ironically, swelling & pain in both legs &feet for about 6 weeks was HOA & completely resolved 3 weeks after surgery. Had 4 rounds of cisplatin & alimpta, completed in Oct. Finally started feeling good in Dec, back to old self, no home O2, no debilitating fatigue, started going to gym some again. whew...now here's the question. Last week or 2 a little more tired than usual, appetite a little off, some rare shortness of breath, and knees beginning to ache as well as swelling & redness of fingers distally. I am obviously terrified that this could be the start of the clubbing & HOA which was only sign before. Is that possible? I would expect some more common symptoms if I had a recurrence or mets I guess. Seeing oncologist this week, should I press for CT or any lab for markers such as TPS or CEA? Thank you so much for giving me a place to go for questions & fears I can't express to loved ones.
recurrence after pneumonectomy - 1272815
littlecg
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Reply # - February 1, 2016, 04:35 PM
Hi littlecg,
Hi littlecg,
Welcome to GRACE. I'm sorry that your recent symptoms have caused you such concern. In the context of a previous lung cancer diagnosis, it is certainly reasonable to try to eliminate a recurrence as their cause. In that regard, the best way to check for recurrence would be a chest CT, as tumor markers tend not to be very good indicators of cancer recurrence, since those same markers can rise due to non-cancer conditions and at times do not rise when there is cancer recurrence or progression.
It is possible that your symptoms are related to the increase in your physical activities, not unlikely after a pneumonectomy. I hope that you have a good meeting with your oncologist and that you find a less-concerning cause for your symptoms.
JimC
Forum moderator