Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors - 1274558

shawnjh
Posts:5

Have there been any advances in the treatment for stage iv pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors ?

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catdander
Posts:

Hi Brandy,

Unfortunately there aren't new standards of practice for neuroendocrine pulmonary tumors. Whether sclc or large cell nsclc a platinum plus etoposide chemo treatment is usually the first line treatment choice. Dr. West discussed neuroendocrine nsclc in this post just April 06. http://cancergrace.org/lung/2016/04/19/gcvl_lu_histology_specific_recom…

However there are clinical trials testing whether immunotherapies might benefit people with neuroendocrine tumors of the lung (sclc or large cell nsclc). The following link provides a list of clinical trials in process https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=sclc%2C+nivolumab&Search=Se…
This link provides one research onclogist's discussion http://cancergrace.org/lung/2016/01/26/gcvl_lu_immunotherapy_small_cell…

Unfortunately this has remained a difficult cancer to treat.
I hope well for the one you are writing.
Janine

shawnjh
Posts: 5

Can removing certain lymph nodes help stop the spread of metastasis ? I have a slightly swollen lymph node under my left arm pit. Should this be removed along with the mediastinum lymph nodes if cancerous cells are found in the lymph node under my armpit?

JimC
Posts: 2753

Hi Brandy,

If I understand correctly, you have an inoperable tumor in your lower right lung, and from the question above, the staging has been changed to stage 4, although you haven't stated where the cancer may have spread other than to the lymph nodes. In general, with stage IV lung cancer (where it is presumed that cancer cells have entered the bloodstream) surgery is not usually performed on the locations to which the disease has spread, except in situations where a metastasis is causing significant pain or threatening to cause bone fractures or other serious complications. In addition, even though an existing lung cancer diagnosis raises suspicion that the armpit lymph node is swollen due to cancer, lymph nodes swell a bit for all kinds of reasons, most of them non-cancer related.

JimC
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shawnjh
Posts: 5

It has spread to the left lobe. When glancing at the scat scan, it appeared as though the lesion was on the lower left peripheral lobe and the lower right peripheral lobe. He still has not diagnosed me we cancer. He says I have sarcoidosis. I think I have sclc (Lung carcinoid) due to the location and he says it is slow growing.