update (mom pathology report)

[janeths466]

Hello all! So i went with my mom to her appointment and post op with the surgeon. He said she was healing really well! Everything seems to be good in terms of surgery.

He said that the tumor was cancerous and although it was possible it may not come back, it was on the malignant side and could be at risk of mets. He said he mentions this for prevention and to follow up with the oncologist. He also mentioned all of the lymph nodes tested were negative so that was a good thing. Other than that he said it all seems well so far. What can I expect in the oncologist? Also are negative lymph nodes a good sign? If the doctor told me this so far, does it mean we are on time in case of anything?

Regardless, I am a bit relieved that he mentioned my moms X rays were good. And that he was able to remove the tumor.

[janeths466]

He said the tumor was removed of course, but it was atypical I believe. That is why he recommended to follow up.

[janeths466 in reply to janeths466]

Also my dad just told me he spoke to the oncologist before my moms hospital release and she said it is not likely that her cancer will spread since it did not go to her lymph nodes, however she wants to do more studies to prevent any further concern.

[Gatorb8]

No spread to lymph nodes is a great thing and gift from God. I am battling with chemo now because I got a microscopic spread to one node. Lucky lady!! Good luck to mom, but do see oncologist just in case.

[JanetteR57]

It sounds to me that the tumour has been removed completely by surgery and the consultant is referring to an oncologist for adjuvent chemotherapy just to get an opinion about any follow on treatment if required. Views have changed on certain lung cancer tumour types in the last few years as new targeted agents have been discovered to use with chemotherapy. I had a 7cm tumour removed in Dec 2010 and was told my specific type (mucinous BAC - a type of adenocarcinoma) did not respond to chemotherapy so was put on a pathway of 'watchful waiting' - i.e annual checks. Mine hadn't spread to lymph nodes. Malignant and 'cancerous' mean the same thing - some people have tumours/nodules that are considered 'benign' or 'not sinister' i.e. will not spread anywhere as their cause was not cancer. Sometimes the terms clinicians use make sense to them and not us. Ask the questions if you're unsure and as others have said, call the secretary to check up if after the appointment more questions have arisen. Yes, negative in the lymph nodes is a positive sign - if cancer has spread to lymph, this means as lymph (like blood) is carried all over the body, there is more risk of spread. If the tumour is contained within the lung and surgically removed, this is the strongest hope of a curative treatment. Unsure what you mean by 'atypical' as I don't think any tumours are 'typical' - there are so many different types and characteristics based on the individual and genomic/pathological results that treatments and approach now are much more personalised due to the evidence that so many different characteristics exist. good luck.