Hi all. I have very recently been diagnosed with a Stage One lump. I saw my Surgeon two days ago and was given to options. (1) Lobectomy (2) Radiotherapy. I do have some thoughts of my own, but I would appreciate any advice before I make my decision.
Hi Rigger093
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with lung cancer.
It is encouraging that it is early stage 1 and usually surgery is the preferred option for those that can have it as they have the best chance at removing all of the cancer and most people recover well from their surgery.
For those that are unable to have surgery, radiotherapy is offered to shrink the tumour as much as possible and can still have a good outcome.
It can be a very personal decision and it is good to be well informed to make the best choice for yourself.
This is the link to our booklet on lung surgery: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
and our booklet on Radiotherapy: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
For those that are newly diagnosed, you may find this booklet useful on 'Managing your lung cancer diagnosis' roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
If you are looking anything up online, we would advise that you keep to the following websites, that provide accurate and up to date information:
We have a range of support services, from one to one support to online support groups through zoom , if you are interested in any of these you can register through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...
We offer a one off grant of up to £150 for anyone with primary lung cancer and you can apply for this through this link: roycastle.org/patient-grant...
To qualify for the patient grant, the lung cancer has to be a primary and it is means tested.
Hope you hear from others in the forum on their experience.
If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600
Kind regards
The Roy Castle Support Team
Thank you for that, it's given me a lot to read and think about.
my husband was recently given the same choice for a similar diagnosis. The way it was explained to us was that the surgery could remove lobe including all of the lymph nodes whereas radiotherapy would only target the main tumour and even though there was no evidence of spread in the lymph nodes they would be removed during surgery on off chance there was something so microscopic it had not showed up on PET scan. It is of course a very personal decision but he opted for surgery which was carried out 2 days ago. Good luck whatever you decide
Hi Rigger093,
I had stage 2 lung cancer last year and was offered a lower lobe lobectomy which I had on 27th July. I was only in hospital for 2 days and the op was a total success. I was offered "adjuvant chemotherapy" just to be on the safe side to ensure there were no microcells floating around.
If you want to see how I was at 4 weeks post op then search "Ian's story" on the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation website under the campaign tab and you can watch my video.
Wish all the best for your journey.
Ian
Hi there. I remember that choice only too well! I was told surgery was "The Gold Standard" for a small tumour in early stages. I asked my consultant what she would advise her own mum to do and she didn't hesitate to advise surgery. The surgery itself was much easier than I had thought and it is great to know the cancer has been completely removed. Everyone will handle this differently but psychologically I would have struggled more with knowing it was still there! My op was June 2022 less than a year ago and it already feels long in the best. Don't hesitate to ask more questions if it is helpful. All the best whichever course you decide to take.
Thank you.
Welcome to the forum. it can be a minefield especially if you start to 'google' radiotherapy for lung cancer as there are many different types given with different intent and ablation (SABR) rarely comes up in responses. Much of what comes up is also out of date and inaccurate so I'd encourage you to read both booklets from Roy Castle foundation which are very comprehensive and regularly updated.
I had surgery in Dec 2010 to remove a 'large mass' which turned out to be a 7cm tumour (adenocarcinoma) and half my left lung through open surgery (thoracotomy) whereas now most lung surgery in the UK is keyhole (minimally invasive known as VATS/RATS) and was back at work and swimming by end of March 2011. I was told the rare type I had didn't respond to chemotherapy so didn't have any follow on treatment - only active surveillance. Since then treatment recommendations have changed and with the size of my tumour I would have been offered it. I've been involved in cancer research since the end of 2013 and met patients who've had every type of treatment for different cancers including lung - and most have some side effects or another - but some are longer lasting and some take longer to appear.
One thing that has been evidenced with surgery is the need to keep as active as you can before and after surgery to redevelop the remaining lungs. My surgeon told me that my recovery was up to me that if I kept active it would redevelop to fill the space but if I lay/sat around, it may not recovery fully so that spurred me on to feel empowered in my own recovery. I was already an avid swimmer (distance) but didn't go from the time of my A&E visit/then admission in the October (on medical advice) until the day before and morning of surgery (on surgeon's advice) until the end of March 2011. However I rebuilt it slowly and steadily and went onto swim much much further than I ever had with both lungs - and raised money for charity doing it.
I've always been appreciative that I had surgery but had no idea how few patients are detected early enough in the UK to be offered it so knowing that, feel even more grateful. Good luck whatever you decide.
Thank you. I have always had doubts about Google so have avoided it, but this forum has helped very much.
hi ,I’m in the same position as yourself saw the surgeon on Monday . Offered Radiation or surgery , I didn’t think radiation was going to be an option so had only thought about surgery . The way I’m thinking at least they will get it all out and don’t have to worry if it’s growing . I have IPMN nodules on my pancreas , these are under surveillance so it’s a scan and watch and wait . The wait is hell . Have they given you timescale if you choose surgery ?
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