Mams doing well-update nsclc 3a/copd next steps & advice

[Hope1972]

Hi everyone

Ive only written on here once back in March time about my mams cancer diagnosis.

My mam is an x smoker of 30yrs now 73yrs old. She is a very fit lady with copd managed by inhalers only.

My mam was diagnosed with 3a nsclc in March and had 4 rounds of gemcarbo and then had a scan which showed her tumour had reduced by 50%. My mams breathing test was poor prior to this hence why they didnt do the chemo -radio regime ( i think anyhow)

She is now on her 12th dose of radiotherapy ...doing ok but having a few problems swollowing and coughing ....any tips would be appriciated. 😁 the oncoloigist seems to think this can get rid of the cancer ...not sure how true this is ?? Any thoughts ??

What if the radiothearpy does not work ??

They said they will rescan her 3 month later after her last radio dose ? This seems like a long time to see if its worked..... ? Or does this mean they are confident it will work?

If it works does this mean she goes into remission or cured ?

[JanetteR57]

All treatments for lung cancer require follow up even if that follow up is a 'watch and wait' process - the body responds differently to treatments especially in a condition as complex as lung cancer (which in itself is several different types of cancer). They will be treating with every intent to improve the situation. Oncologists seldom talk of 'cure ' and even remission means different things to different people. No Evidence of Disease (NED) is a term I've learnt from forums here and know that my treatment was 'with curative intent'. Many of the newer treatments aim to hold the condition and treat it almost like a chronic disease which means some people are living years with advanced disease so coping with the effects of the condition and the treatments to an extent that was unheard of even 5 years ago or so.

Unfortunately until a few years ago, little research was done into lung cancer and the numbers of people in studies were far lower than say for example in breast cancer research which means that the moment, the evidence is still being drawn up and treatment combinations are being changed to try and reduce the damaging effect systemic treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy have on other parts of the body. Roy Castle has good information leaflets about the types of treatment on its website as does CRUK.

You ask whether the oncologist's comments are true. Some types of radiotherapy are evidenced to be as successful in treating lung cancer as surgery (as not many people are eligible for surgery due to location/spread of tumour and other factors).

There are risks with repeated scanning and it is important that a time period lapses for them to see exactly what is going on.

I know that's now always what we want to hear in a 24/7 society when we want instant results or reassurance that something can be cured immediately… but unfortunately, that is the situation… lung cancer doesn't develop overnight so most treatment regimes take some time and the follow up considerably longer. Follow up can go on for years - it's over 6 years since my surgery but I'm still being followed up…I find that reassuring rather than fearful...

I don't know if you care to read but I found the following book "Cancer is a word not a sentence' by Dr Rob Buckman a real help in putting things into perspective for those with the diagnosis or those caring for somebody with it. good luck to you and your family.

[Hope1972 in reply to JanetteR57]

Thanks very much thats a great reply