Adenocarcinoma lung cancer

[SharonTan]

hi my mum has just been diagnosed with possible stage3-4 Adenocarcinoma if the right lung and her lymph nodes are inflamed, the cancer is contained in the lungs currently. We are waiting for an oncologist appointment to discuss treatment. We are all in shock as the consultant says mum may only have months unless she has treatment. Anyone else been in a similar position & had treatment? Mums 79 & in good health, this just came up after a chest X-ray following Xmas chest infection, love t hear about anyones experience

[etpd2226]

Hello Sharon,

I am sorry to hear about your mom. I was diagnosed with stage iv adenocarcinoma in June 2020. I was able to get Keytruda, immunotherapy for two years. I also had radiation for one remaining active tumor last year. As of today, there is no evidence of cancer. I'm scanned quarterly. My cancerous tumors were in both lungs and some lymph nodes.

Cancer treatments are much better than they used to be. Some of us have been living beyond a decade with stage iv. Keep the faith and focus on what your mom can do to help herself. Best of luck to your mom and family💕🙏.

[SharonTan in reply to etpd2226]

That is amazing to hear! Thank you so much for sharing your story & so pleased you are doing so well, I will hope & pray for a similar outcome, thanks x

[SharonTan in reply to etpd2226]

Do you mind me asking if you sought a second opinionat any stage? Friends & some of the websites seems to suggest you may want to, but what wondered if you felt it necessary? Thanks

[etpd2226 in reply to SharonTan]

Hi Sharon,

Yes I did seek a second opinion in the second year of treatment I went to Duke for steriostatic acid radiation. If I ever have to go back on Keytruda I will get it locally, where I was treated initially because that treatment is the same anywhere.

[CCL4]

Hi Sharon. I'm so sorry your mom has been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma. I'm 74 years old, diagnosed September 2021 with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer - adenocarcinoma. Main tumor in lower right lobe with innumerable nodules in both lungs, chest lymph nodes affected, one MET to brain, one to T-9 vertebrae and one to left iliac bone. A bronchoscopy was done to biopsy chest nodules for biomarker test. The test showed I have EGFR 19 deletion mutation, also confirmed by liquid biopsy (blood work). Because I have this mutation I was able to start targeted therapy treatment in December 2021. I take one pill every day, Tagrisso 80 mg. My scans show remarkable improvement - chest lymph nodes are back to normal, main tumor has shrunk considerably and only a few sub nodules remain in both lungs and compared to the initial results that showed "innumerable nodules in both lungs", this is amazing. METS to T9 vertebrae and left iliac bone are gone. I had one treatment of radio therapy (radiation) to treat the brain MET and that's worked well. I would ask for biomarker testing for your mom to see if she has any mutations because this can determine her treatment plan. Above all, tell your mom to remain positive and as active as possible. Keep the faith and help her advocate for herself. Lung cancer treatment has come a long way and there are treatment plans available that can add years to our lives.

[SharonTan in reply to CCL4]

Do you mind me asking if you sought a second opinionat any stage? Friends & some of the websites seems to suggest you may want to, but what wondered if you felt it necessary? Thanks

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

your moms general health going into treatment will be an important factor in how she manages treatment.

This is no longer the automatic death sentence it once was. I am 12+ years out from my stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma.

Her doctors are will be able to tell you more when they have the results of the biomarker testing. Some patient are now able to treat their lung cancer with daily pills rather than chemo and radiation. Please let us know what you learn going forward. We’ll help with side effects and their management. And by sharing our experiences.

[SharonTan in reply to Denzie]

Do you mind me asking if you sought a second opinionat any stage? Friends & some of the websites seems to suggest you may want to, but what wondered if you felt it necessary? Thanks

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer in reply to SharonTan]

I have ground glass nodules that changed in size and appearance in 2019. At that time I decided to get a second opinion. The second opinion oncologist I saw Tok my case to their tumor board. Their opinion and recommended treatment plan was identical to my oncologist.

[SharonTan]

That is so wonderful to hear! I will definitely share as people responding on this forum has been so helpful, thank you so much.

[Elle787]

Hello SharonTan,

This is a frightening experience and I’m glad you are reaching out for support. I echo all the other comments that there are now many treatments for patients dealing with nsclc. I was diagnosed in July of 2022 with adenocarcinoma. Thankfully it was contained in my upper left lobe. There was lymph node involvement but they were all within the lobe that was removed with surgery in November of 2022. I am now on Tagrisso and tolerating it very well. I have my 3 month scan tomorrow and am hoping for NED. My lobectomy was a thoracotomy and that took some time to recover from. I had chemo before the surgery and it was very effective at shrinking the tumor. Two things that helped a lot during treatment and after surgery: sleep and walking. I don’t guilt myself if I need to sleep in. My body needs the care and rest. I walk as much as possible. Sometimes it was just around the block but mentally it told me I was getting stronger. Your mom will find what works for her. Blessings to you and your family.

[SharonTan]

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me & I do hope you get the NED result. It’s been so helpful to hear from you & the other kind people who’ve responded, best of luck!

[SharonTan]

Do you mind me asking if you sought a second opinionat any stage? Friends & some of the websites seems to suggest you may want to, but what wondered if you felt it necessary? Thanks

[Ncpoet]

Hi Sharon, I am currently 76. I was diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell adenocarcinoma in 2013. I am coming up on 10 years survival. My cancer was inside and outside my left lung, the chest wall and lymph node. I did chemotherapy and targeted drugs until 2016 when I was cancer free. It is important to have genetic testing to determine the best course of treatment. I believe having a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a strong faith had a lot to do with how I responded to treatment. I did treatment because I believed in hope and felt I would survive. I wish your mum well. Keep us posted on how she is doing. All the best, Judy

[SharonTan in reply to Ncpoet]

Wow Judy that is amazing to hear! I’m so pleased for you. We have an oncologist appointment this Thursday so we will know more then. How were the chemo side effects for you? Thanks Sharon

[Ncpoet]

Sharon,

As for side effects, I was on a total of two chemo and two targeted drugs over that three year span. I did not take all of them at once. I switched when one got to be too much. Fatigue went with all of them, but nothing I couldn’t handle.

What was important to me was going to be the outcome of survival. Each person’s body is different in how they respond. I did not think about potential side effects. I liked to be surprised (lol) since I expected to be OK (despite a doctor’s prognosis of just months). I told my oncologist that wouldn’t work for me and believed I was not a person who could fit into a textbook diagnosis.

My side effects wouldn’t necessarily be your mum’s. Try not to dwell so much on the negative effects. Think-this is helping me to survive. Yes, you can be informed, but it is more important what you believe will be your outcome.

Only when something wasn’t my normal, then I would mention to my doc. and we could then figure out how to minimize these side effects or try something different. I didn’t waste my time concentrating on what might happen. I concentrated on finding something to laugh about, on living and not dying.

Each person is different in how they handle cancer. I never let fear rule my life. My husband was more afraid than me. He was fearful of losing me. Just don’t let your fears shape your time with her, but do listen if she wants to talk about hers.

Judy

[Ncpoet]

One thing I could add is a Bible verse that spoke to me. Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.” That became my mantra and gave me peace each time I read it.