Opinion and/or Advice Needed Please....
I had a left pneumonectomy almost 7 years ago when I was 75 years old, followed 3 months later by SBRT radiation to eradicate 3 tiny spots on my remaining lung. My diagnosis was squamous non small cell carcinoma. Constant monitoring via CT scans showed NED until 4 months ago, when Dr. detected a nodule, size 7mm. 10 weeks later, on May 14/20, he said it had increased to 9x6mm, so I agreed to another round of SBRT starting next week. Since they can’t risk a biopsy, we don’t know whether it is cancerous or benign. A friend told me about Cancer Grace and Dr. West’s experience with BAC, which made me wonder if this could be BAC related. I also don’t know if the increase in size within the 10 weeks indicates that it is fast growing or not. I have about 42% breathing now, but will probably have to use oxygen after more SBRT, so I am in a quandary about going ahead with a 2nd bout. I would very much appreciate an opinion on my situation. Thank you,
Reply # - July 20, 2020, 04:47 PM
Hi Babs, Wecome to Grace. I
Hi Babs,
Wecome to Grace. I'm sorry I'm just now publishing your post. For some reason they are landing in my spam box. I will address your concerns by the end of the evening.
Janine
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
Reply # - July 21, 2020, 01:47 AM
Hi Babs, Welcome to Grace. I
Hi Babs,
Welcome to Grace. I'm sorry you're dealing with cancer again. You're right to wonder whether the size is real growth or whether it's a difference in the reading or a slight difference in where the picture hit. When biopsy isn't possible or treatment will cause permanent harm a watch and wait approach is usually taken; scan again in 6 or 12 weeks.
It's important to keep as much healthy lung tissue as possible. And if the cancer is very slow-growing you can treat less often. A second opinion from a lung cancer specialist at an academic/research center is never a bad idea, especially if you have concerns about current plans. This article, An Insider's Guide to the Second Opinion is excellent.
I hope you get answers you need to feel good about your next steps.
Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask when you have more questions.
Janine
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
Reply # - July 23, 2020, 01:45 PM
Hi Babs, I'm sorry you're
Hi Babs, I'm sorry you're having trouble with the site. To post a comment, scroll down to the "Comment" at the bottom of the thread you want to comment on, type your comment in the box then click SAVE when you're ready to post. Also, I use google to search for something on Grace. To search a specific site on googel all you need to do is type,
site:cancergrace.org search term
Use a space after the site address then type your search term. Such as: site:cancergrace.org BAC
Or search our YouTube channel playlists.
Keep us posted, Ask here when you can't find something and I'll help.
Bestof luck,
Janine
Below is Babs 2nd post:
Hi...thank you for your response. Unfortunately I find this site extremely hard to use, so I don't know where this post will land. Not knowing what to do, I've started SBRT radiation yesterday (July 22) , will have 5 treatments and be done July 31. Thanks again,
Babs33
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
Reply # - July 28, 2020, 08:45 AM
Pneumonectomy Survivor
Hi Janine...I had my 3rd radiation (of 5) yesterday, just this Wed and Fri to go. All has been okay...no noticeable change in my breathing so far. Dr. has assured me they are administering very low radiation over the 5 treatments since the nodule is so small. Babs
Reply # - July 28, 2020, 03:07 PM
Hi Babs, Just 2 more to go.
Hi Babs,
Just 2 more to go. I know that will be a big relief. SBRT is much more pinpointed so there is less destruction of healthy tissue. Don't hesitate to let your care team know of any new or worsening symptoms. Pneumonitis is a potentially dangerous complication of radiation to the lungs that most often can be managed with steroids but it needs to be attended to asap. Pneumonitis sometimes looks like cancer progression on a CT. Also, it takes a couple or up to several months for the area to return to its new normal.
I'm glad you're able to post on your thread and hope my instructions are helpful in searching our site. Let me know if I can help.
I look forward to hearing good news.
Take care,
Janine
I joined GRACE as a caregiver for my husband who had a Pancoast tumor, NSCLC stage III in 2009. He had curative chemo/rads then it was believed he had a recurrence in the spine/oligometastasis that was radiated. He's 10 years out from treatment.
In reply to Hi Babs, Just 2 more to go. by JanineT GRACE …
Reply # - August 4, 2020, 07:55 AM
Hello there...
Hi Janine... I finished the 5 appts. last Friday. Everything went okay...the only side effects I have are fatigue, which I was forewarned about, and nausea, that is fairly constant. However, the nausea started well before my appts. so I think some of it is anxiety at all the goings-on. A little side note FYI...my Dr, gave me pills, Dexamethasone 4 mg each, to be taken one hour before each treatment. I don't like taking meds and hadn't taken any the first time I had radiation years ago, so I just took a half of one before the first appt. and after that, I forgot to take them. I have to have blood work done and a ct scan, then will see the Dr. near the end of August. I'll let you know what he says. Thanks for listening...Babs
Reply # - October 28, 2020, 04:46 AM
Hi Babs. Hope you are feeling
Hi Babs. Hope you are feeling better now