jmsinger6538
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Posts:5
My wife is 49, and was diagnosed with NSCLC adenocarcenoma, Pancoast Tumor on her right lung. The tumor is 5.9 x 5.4 x 6.0. There is no evidence of extra pleural extension or involvement of the adjacent ribs. There is also a 1.7x1.0 cm dictated nodule at the left lung apex. There is no thoracic lymphadenopathy. All of this is taken from a CT scan with IV contrast and was confirmed with a needle biopsy. I am curious about the prognosis for this. I am most concerned about the left lung potentially being affected as well. Any information would be appreciated. Also, any recommendations for doctors in the Cincinnati Ohio area would be greatly appreciated as well.
Bless you.
Forums
Reply # - July 22, 2015, 01:23 PM
Hi Jim,
Hi Jim,
Welcome to Grace. I'm sorry your wife is going through this. My husband had a pancoast tumor so as you can imagine I learned everything I could on the subject. Dr. West and the faculty have provided some of the best information on the web.
I think there are 2 very important things to know upfront. If your wife has cancer on both lungs unfortunately the cancer is no longer curable but still quite treatable. If that is the case her cancer would be treated as others with nsclc and only the histology (squamous or non squamous) becomes important to treatment.
If your wife has resectable (curable) disease you want a dedicated thoracic surgeon to do the surgery, not a cardiothoracic surgeon who does some lung or general surgeon who does less. Even without obvious chest wall involvement it's a very difficult surgery and best handled by those with experience with pancoast tumors.
About getting the best care, it is possible to get very good care at a local hospital in the Cincinnati area. Getting treatments and check ups locally then when/if transitions happen a visit to the specialist may be in order. But for planning and possibly surgery a drive out of town to a lung cancer specialist may be in order. Cleveland Clinic has one of the top nsclc clinics in the world and Dr. Pennell, one of our faculty members practices there. Columbus also has a good cancer care options and much closer to home. The US News best hospitals is below. Dr. Weiss post on 2nd opinions and is below.
All best,
Janine
The other post below is an intro to lung cancer and very helpful point from which to start.
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/search?city=ohio&specialty_id=I…
http://cancergrace.org/cancer-101/2011/11/13/an-insider%E2%80%99s-guide…
http://cancergrace.org/lung/2010/04/05/an-introduction-to-lung-cancer/
http://cancergrace.org/lung/tag/pancoast-tumors/
Reply # - July 23, 2015, 06:38 PM
Janine,
Janine,
Thanks so much for your informative response. As you can imagine, we are full of questions and the waiting to see the oncologist seems to be taking forever. Its a blessing to have people like you who have actually experienced what we are going through to give some perspective.
Bless you,
Jim