Stage 4 NSCLC Scan Results

[kbatt]

My brother who is 49 had 4 sessions of chemo and immunotherapy and his first scan showed a reduction in all his tumours.

Following that he was told he would be having immunotherapy every 6 weeks for the next 2 years.

He has just had his 3 month scan which shows a reduction in his lung (primary) but the tumours in his lymphnodes have grown.

He has recently developed a cough again and lost abit of weight. The consultant has told him it might be to do with an infection.

He is having another scan in 3 months and if the results are still the same he will come off the immunotherapy and may have radiotherapy. Has anyone else been in a similar position and what options were you given ?

Thanks.

Kully

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Kully,

Thanks for getting in touch with the forum. It's good to hear your brother had such a good initial response to treatment. Is he being treated for his infection? If not, it may be worth speaking with the chemotherapy unit for advice.

Radiotherapy is helpful as it targets specific areas, such as lymph nodes, with the aim of shrinking the cancer there, and because it is targeted side effects are minimised. For information about the various different modalities of treatment for lung cancer, you may want to use this link roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

I don't know the details of your brother's cancer or his treatment history, but there is guidance that oncologists follow. If you want more information, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has some useful flowcharts here nice.org.uk/guidance/ng122

If he has a lung cancer clinical nurse specialist (CNS) they are a valuable resource so please use them if you have specific questions. They will be happy to talk to you, with your brother's consent. If he does not have one, ask the oncologist to put you in touch.

We also have some Zoom groups which may be helpful for you and/or your brother. These are facilitated by a member of the Roy Castle team and are held fortnightly. The groups are as follows:

- Living with lung cancer – Typically for those people post-treatment or those on immunotherapy. Sessions run on a continuous basis to allow people to dip in and out as they choose. Wednesdays fortnightly, 2pm – 3pm

- Genetic Mutation Driven Lung Cancer Support – For those with a genetic mutation of their cancer. Cycle of 6. Thursdays fortnightly 6.30pm – 7.30pm

- Managing During Treatment – All treatment pathways welcome. Cycle of 6. Wednesdays fortnightly 6.30pm – 7.30pm

- Support for Carers – For anyone with a loved one with a diagnosis. Tuesdays fortnightly, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Please email [e-mail] if you would like to join any of the groups.

And finally, we have our free Ask The Nurse helpline service which is available Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Fridays 9am – 4pm. If you would like to discuss anything further, we would be very happy to talk to you. Tel: [phone].