Truth about Adeno?

[kri312]

I met with my pulmonologist yesterday as I approach my first CT following VATS 4.30.18 to remove 2 stage 1A nodules (one upper lobe wedge/one lower lobe lobectomy). He said something that has been unsettling. It might have been information that was told to me before and I didn't process but wanted to see how others feel. Both mine were adenocarcinoma (75% lepidic). He said a few things - since I had a nodule in separate lobes it was not good (higher chance recurrence), he said most likely only there for 6 months (how do they know) and he also said that adeno "usually" recurs! I am well aware of the statistics out there for LC and to survive day to day I have chosen to only want to read the positive ones!! As a 50 year old non smoking mother of 2 I need to have hope that this can be gone like my surgeon said! I know he meant now but I want to believe forever!

[JeanE41]

WOW!!!! Your pulmonologist certainly laid a lot of information on you and all at one time. If your lung cancer does come back, there are now many options for treatment depending on what type it is. Some tumors have mutations that can be addressed with targeted therapy. The guess that your cancer was there for six months was probably made because they know the approximate rate of growth of the various types. The fact that they got it early is in your favor.

It sounds as though you got through your VATS with flying colors and are doing well. Try not to dwell on the what ifs and concentrate on the now. You have a life to live, so enjoy it and let the future take care of itself. Stay as healthy as you can with a good diet and exercise. There are many here who are doing well many years after their cancer diagnosis.

Jean

[SusieJo1948]

Hi you keep thinking positive. Have hope and keep the faith. Your stronger than you think

I'm giving you all the hope I have and I have a lot. I had adnoe left upper lung and lympnodes. I turned down radiation because of what they said it could do. I had 6 months chemo I'm now a 6 year cancer free survivor. I was told by surgeon I was going to die and he told my family the same. But here I am 6 years no sign of the cancer. I know it's hard but I kept the hope and faith. So please don't give up and keep fighting. Love susie jo1948

[ThePurplePlace]

Do you have an Oncologist? I'd speak to them about this, after all cancer is their speciality. If needed seek a second opinion from a thoracic oncologist.

Best wishes and good luck. I have adeno too, but mine is Stage IV. I'm currently stable and have been for over two years without new treatment. Iu was dxd in March 2015. Think positive, that's what I do.

[kri312 in reply to ThePurplePlace]

I will be going to a thoracic oncologist after this CT scan- I do have a regular one and she never said any of this. However, after my diagnosis and surgery I was an emotional wreck so I am not sure if she was just spoon feeding me info. My pulmonologist felt I needed to be more closely monitored by someone who specializes in lungs! I don't disagree and hopefully he will be less gloom and doom!

[ThePurplePlace in reply to kri312]

To be honest, Im surprised at hearing that your pulmonary surgeon said this? I think Stage I is very positive and you can be cured. Keep up your positive thoughts and again, best wishes. Happy to hear you will be consulting with a thoracic oncologist.

Lisa

[kri312 in reply to ThePurplePlace]

My surgeon said the opposite...he said it was gone and no reason to not believe it wouldn't stay that way- he also said statistics are VERY out of date..This was the pulmonologist who said this.

[ThePurplePlace in reply to kri312]

Statistics are very outdated, there have been several advances made in LC treatment in the past couple of years. Major advancement that continue to save more lives. At my time of dx with Brain met, pulmonary embolism and Stage IV LC, my chances were very grim to survive a year. Then came Immunotherapy.... which saved my life. I'm currently not considered curable, but I'm hoping every day to continue to be stable and have treatment options, in the hopes a cure will br found.

I honestly believe having a positive attitude truly helps.

I also don't believe any doctor can ever truly predict life and how long anyone will live or exactly will respond to treatments....we are all unique and all respond differently to treatment.

I had my latest CT scans Tuesday and tomorrow I'll get my results... I'm always anxious, but also determined to take one step at a time, I can't let this illness totally consume and overwhelm my life. I cherish every day... and I want many more years with my boys and my precious grand baby.... she's a gift I never thought I'd have back when I was diagnosed....I love her with all my heart .... she's now even more hope for me...💕

[Lisam81]

I don’t have much to offer as my dad has NSCLC adenocarcinoma stage IV but I did want to say this. Hope is the ONE thing greater than fear. Listen to what the doctors say but have your own opinion. Your body follows what you believe. You can beat this, it may not be easy and there may be bumps in the road, but it can be done. Have hope and focus on that, not statistics. All my best!

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Hold hope tightly. Those statistics are out of date. They reflect none of the unprecedented advance in lung cancer. Between 1968 when Pres Nixon declared the war on cancer and 2010 when I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma there were 3 drugs approved for first line treatment in lung cancer. In the last 3 years there have been 17 drugs approved for first line treatment.

In lung cancer, surgery is only done with curative intent. If there was a chance that the Cancer had metastasized they would never have done it. Take hope as well in the fact that it is a lepeidic growth. Lepeidic adenocarcinoma is a slow growing, less aggressive cancer. I’m grateful that you have that type if you had to have it and that it was caught early. That makes you a win for the survivor team. I would rather you never had to go through this though.

The first time I ever attended a Lungevity Hope Summit I met a man who was in his 25th year post surgery for stage 1 lung cancer. At the Cancer Survivor Day program in Ann Arbor in 2015 I met a woman in her 32d year post surgery for stage one lung cancer. I carry the experience of meeting them with me always because it means hope.

Btw, 8 years ago they told me I could only expect to survive 10-15 months. ‘They’ were wrong.

[kri312 in reply to Denzie]

This brought happy tears to my eyes today! Thank you

[judg69]

Kri312, I am 6 1/2 years post lobectomy for stage III A/B lung cancer. Yes, the odds are daunting , but they are just that , odds. Don't get ahead of yourself and please take it one day at a time, enjoy your family and life in general .Never give in and never give up, All Best Wishes, judg69