I have posted before. I have been diagnosed stage 3A. Starting chemoradiation Monday. Getting mixed recommendations on surger after rad?

[Beepers7]

Surgery stage 3a

[Steph60]

I was stage 1B, but I did research and talked to my oncologist and we determined that I would do chemo. Our thought process was, if I did not do chemo and the cancer returned then I would be stage 4. I also made the decision that I never wanted to look back and say “I wish I would have done chemo”. I determined I would do whatever treatments were available to me to fight this horrible diagnosis. I am currently a 6 year cancer free survivor.

[rdflynnjr in reply to Steph60]

Steph60

I was stage 1A and they did a LLL lobectomy in March of 2017. The NCI stated that adjuvant chemo should not be necessary so I received none. I was basically NED until March, 2019 when a new nodule in my RUL appeared along with an enlarging subcarinal lymph node.

Today, I am stage 3B and going through chemoradiation. A second opinion agreed that surgery is now out of the question.

So, I will always wonder if chemo after the 2017 surgery would have prevented this recurrence of my adenocarcinoma. I should have insisted on the prophylactic chemotherapy back then. I have some regret.

Rick

[Steph60 in reply to rdflynnjr]

I am so sorry that you have to go through this twice.

[Beepers7 in reply to rdflynnjr]

Hi Rick,

Just wanted to check in and see how you are doing these days? I think you probably finished a round of chemo? How are your body and spirits holding up?

I will complete my first round tomorrow a 6 day regiment. Radiation to continue.

Mostly wanted to say hi and let you know I in this fight with you. SteveO

[rdflynnjr in reply to Beepers7]

Week four of seven coming up. Three chemo's behind me. No big problems. Some fatigue. Radiation tomorrow AM.

We'll keep hangin' in there.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Until you’ve had those first two chemo treatments neither you nor they will be able to make a determination about your surgery. Jeanette made some excellent observations on your other post. Surgeons are always going to want to do surgery but that doesn’t make them wrong or greedy.

As I mentioned before surgery is only done with curative intent, it is not an option for people with mets. It’s significant that the surgeon thinks they can do something for you. Where is the primary tumor located? Is this surgeon a thoracic specialist or a general surgeon? If he/she is a general surgeon obtain a consult with a thoracic specialist.

[Beepers7 in reply to Denzie]

My primary tumor 3cm located in left upper lung. It was a thorastic surgeon.

I will get second opinion after 2 cycles of chemo radiation. Thank you for responding. Take care 😊

[rdflynnjr]

If your cancer team feels that surgery is a good option, it probably is. It seems to still be the only way to "cure" cancer. Cut it out. Do get a second opinion, though. Assuming it is in agreement, you will have gained a certain piece of mind.

Good luck with your therapy.

[Beepers7 in reply to rdflynnjr]

Hi Rick,

The one thorastic surgeon we meant with last week recommended surgery, but my oncologist is recommending chemo radiation treatment, no surgery. Seems to be a grey area. I will do the 2 cycles of chemo radiation. I will be receiving chemo 6 straight days with radiation 21 straight days. Then repeat the cycle. I begin tomorrow. Hope your staying strong and positive. Praying for you. We can beat this together. SteveO

[rdflynnjr in reply to Beepers7]

Hi SteveO

There seems to be a big problem with stage 3A and 3B lung cancer. The experts are often in disagreement when proposing therapy plans. Do you go for a cure or just extension of survival? So they often end up with some type of hybrid therapy. Frustrating..........

One upside to prolonged chemoradiation therapy is that you will get to know a lot of new folks. Make some friends. Laugh a lot.

Good luck!

Rick

[Beepers7 in reply to rdflynnjr]

Great attitude my friend. I have already meant a new friend Rick😊

[Ssbastos in reply to Beepers7]

What kind of chemo are you getting? I’m currently doing permeplexed/cisplatin every three weeks for four cycles, and radiation for 25 business days.

[Beepers7 in reply to Ssbastos]

Cisplatin and etoposide every day for 6 days along with radiation . After 3 weeks of additional radiation they will repeat the cycle. After 2 cycles they will ct me and determine next step. Best to you! Thanks for responding.

[anrean]

Hi

The option of getting a second opinion, and even a third is very good. I chose to get a second and then third opinion and am very happy with the results. Was treated with only a massive dose of radiation and have been stable since. The tumor is still there, but it is not growing. Since this is my fifth primary cancer the surgeon felt that radiation was the most appropriate treatment because my body has been through too much turmoil since 2002, so not all surgeons want to operate. I am scanned every three months to keep on top of things and so far so good. Chemo was taken off the table because my first ca was liver and the onc felt that my liver would not support any more. After your second treatment, it would be good to re-evaluate things with your oncologist. So many new treatments are becoming part of standard protocols and surgery is no longer the best/only option. Praying that things go well for you and that you and your oncologist make the best decisions for you.

[Beepers7 in reply to anrean]

Thanks Arean,

Your response helps me to process my decision going forward. I really trust my oncologist and she is recommending I consult another thoracic surgeon after 2 cycles chemo/radiation treatment. I had my first treatment yesterday. So I will follow doctors orders and continue to pray my way through this earthly trail. Meeting survivors like you is part of that journey I believe. Thanks again for reaching out to me and others. God Bless you

[Gatorb8]

Hi there! I always say if surgery is an option from a thoracic specialist do it! Best way to a cure is to get it out of your body. I was also 3A diagnosed in May 2019. After lobectomy on my LLL and 3 months of chemo I was told by 2 thoracic oncologists that they give me a 50 percent chance or slightly better of being cured. I have no sign of cancer on any test, including tumor marker blood tests that may be a leading indicator. I know that this journey is early on for me but I feel great. Good luck!

[Beepers7 in reply to Gatorb8]

Thanks for the information. Not an easy decision but a calculated one. I will make mine in February 2020. Hope and pray that you will have many fantastic years of full health. SteveO