My auntie was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, and she had a Lobectomy around 3 months ago.
The surgery went well, and she is recovering well, too.
She had an appointment today and was told that they found cancer in 2 lymph nodes that were removed during surgery.
However, she was told that she is now cancer free and will be monitored for 5 years.
The consultant said that there is a chance the cancer could return, and she was offered chemotherapy. They gave her a choice between Vinorelbine and Carboplatin. She is reluctant to have chemotherapy because of the side effects.
I would love to hear from the following people about their experiences:
*Those decided not to have chemotherapy and how you are doing now?
*Those who decided to have chemotherapy and had Vinorelbine or Carboplatin.
How did you find the treatment, and how are you doing now?
*I would appreciate people sharing their reasons for either having or refusing chemotherapy?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Ali
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IamAli_R
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Cancer can travel through the bloodstream as well as the lymphatic system. She is being offered adjuvant chemotherapy for that reason. It is good that they did not find cancer in that third lymph node. Her oncology team is trying to err on the side of caution by offering that chemotherapy. Chemo increases the possibility that any stray cancer cell in the circulatory system will be destroyed
I had chemotherapy for my stage 4 cancer 12 years ago. It was not as awful as I expected as long as I took the supplemental medications. Which is not to say it was easy, it wasn’t. The protocol they use today is easier It’s usually three days of treatment then a three week break before the next round. I had Cisplatin which is harsher than carboplatin.
At stage 4 it was hoped that chemo would help me to live 12-15 months It’s been 12+ years Your aunt’s situation and mine are very different Surgery is usually only offered to lower stage patients like your aunt She should ask her doctor how much chemo will improve the probability that the cancer will not come back.
It's good that your aunt was detected early enough for surgery to be possible - the majority of UK patients aren't found until later stages.
In Dec 2010 I had an upper left lobectomy to remove a 'large mass' which I learnt in January 2011 had been lung cancer - a 7cm tumour (mucinous adenocarcinoma) had been removed with half my lung. I was told the specific type I had - at that time - considered rare - didn't respond to chemotherapy so I wasn't offered it.
In 2013 I became involved in lung cancer research and over the years have learnt so much about it and contributed to various studies, groups and committees. In the time since my surgery, the international staging committee (IASLC) has twice reclassified the type I had and the T number and if I had the same diagnosis today, I would have been offered chemotherapy.
Having met patients who had chemotherapy for other cancers and living with side and late effects I haven't regretted it - however I do know of patients whose cancer returned elsewhere which would have been due to a few rogue cells circulating around the body.
My dad had bowel cancer twice in his 50s and only had surgery - I have no idea whether chemotherapy was offered or not. He had another primary bowel cancer and more surgery in 2016 at the age of 86 and again no chemotherapy. I doubt he's strong enough to withstand it.
I read a book last year 'doctors get cancer too' by Dr Philippa Kaye in which she, as a GP, who developed bowel cancer was shocked when told that chemotherapy post surgery only offered her 5% reduction risk in it returning. During the pandemic many patients were not offered post surgical adjuvant chemotherapy in the UK as it was felt the risk of contracting covid in the hospital whilst having chemotherapy was greater than the risk being reduced on possible return of the cancer.
As there are other treatments now in the surgical setting including immunotherapy, agree with Denzie, it's worth her speaking with her consultant and voicing her concerns. In the meantime, this information may help her understand possible side effects. good luck to you both.
I was diagnosed with stage iv adenocarcinoma three years ago. Surgery was not an option. I received two years of immunotherapy and last year steriostatic radiation for a remaining active tumor. I also do alternate treatments such as acupuncture, massage, reiki, sound therapy, counseling, meditation, affirmations, prayer, etc.
You ask very good questions. Not living under the umbrella of cancer is essential for my peace of mind. Cancer may be a piece of me but is not all of me. I’d encourage your aunt to listen to the wisdom within her body to make her decisions. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are a good niece. 💛🌻🫶🙏
Hi, my name is Linnie Harris and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in 2018. I had chemo, radiation, and Immunotherapy, and I have been in remission for 3 years now.
I had an upper left lobectomy in June 2015 for adenocarcinoma. One node was involved, so I was offered chemotherapy. It would have improved my 5 year survival rate by 8%. After careful research, talking to people on this site and lots of praying, I decided against it. My cancer did return and in 2020. I had stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) which destroyed the tumor. So far at age 81 there has been no sign that it has returned. Since I see my oncologist next month, she may have different news especially after a CAT scan. Each case is different and the decisions are personal. The only advice I have is to know all your options and understand everything thoroughly before making a decision.
I wish your aunt the best and a long healthy life. Jean
Hello. I was diagnosed Stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer eight and a half years ago. Surgery was not an option since it had spread outside of lungs to multiple places. If I had a magic wand, I would do anything to prevent my cancer from growing beyond early stage because the statistics are very scary for late stage patients.
I had carboplatin plus pemetrexed, which was standard of care at the time. The chemo was not as difficult as I expected. I remember saying to the hospitalist who described the regimen that the side effects listed were the same words listed to a friend I knew who had chemo for breast cancer, which they are. However, the side effects were tolerable and nothing as severe as my friend who had different drugs for breast cancer; as Denzie said, can be lessened by prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and I had a great palliative care team to help me mange the side effects. I would have chemo on a Monday, go to bed Wednesday night and stay in bed, watch tv, rest for Thursday, and by Saturday would be taking my kids to their soccer games or even coaching my daughter’s volleyball team. One week tough, then two weeks manageable. I was 44 at the time. The carboplatin will be administered every 21 days for 6-8 treatments. After that, I only had the single chemo agent (pemetrexed) for more than 70 total before the cancer started to grow in my lungs again.
My cancer later spread to my brain (a place lung cancer likes to go…), for which I had surgery and have had radiation several different times. I am stable with no evidence of cancer.
I had a lobectomy in March of 2021. A 4 centimeter tumor was found after I went into a coughing fit that caused my lung to collapse and I drove myself to hospital when I was having difficulty breathing.
Dr advise stage 1/2 and said a lobectomy of the upper lung was possible and I was very lucky. He also stated that it was not anywhere else but he suggested chemo in abundance of caution.
Round 1 was carboplatin which cause loss of hearing and tinnitus. After ear dr suggested a less abrasive chemo my oncologist stepped me down to Cistoplantin for following 3 treatments. I did amazing with the surgery and faired the Chemo quite well. Continued to work and function 4 out of 7 days from may-July. I did it every 3 weeks. I have pet yearly and ct scans every 6 months now and have been doing fine. Still not to 5 years but feel blessed and lucky that that it was found early.
I asked my surgeon if I was his mother,daughter or sister what would he advise on the chemo … I loved his answer which was not all science. He said with Gods help,prayer and science it was a move I would not regret but might if I didn’t do all that I could to hedge this off at the pass. I’m 63 and thought that If I skipped this step I might be sorry and could not go back. I was very lucky by fluke that it collapsed my lung or might have woken up one day at stage four. I had no symptoms but that tumor flopped over on my airway and collapsed my lung.
I did not feel that the chemo was really that bad. My hair did not fall out and I was able to work and keep up the front with my grandkids thanks to the help from my daughter who ran interference. Most people I did not even tell until I was done. Just my daughter and close friends who were cancer patients (breast,colon etc) and knew they could understand. Hope this helps. Best of love,luck and patience for your deal aunt.
Anytime...the people and answers on this sight are very helpful since they come from all stages. Lung cancer use to be the kiss of death...not so much as you can see. We will all pray for your aunt...sounds like she has a princess warrior niece on her side. Keep your chin up and prayers coming 🙏 Keep us posted.
The answers on here have been brilliant, and people are very supportive. Thank you for the prayers. My auntie has an excellent nephew in me 😊I will keep you posted.
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