squamous cell lung cancer

[Susie215]

I was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer in January 2023. I am stage 1B T2 n0M0. I had a right upper lobe lobectomy Feb 2023. I don’t hear much about squamous cell carcinoma on this site or anywhere else. It seems like most people end up with adenocarcinoma. If there’s anyone that has squamous cell like me I would like to hear your experience with this and if any of you have had chemo for squamous cell as I have heard this type of lung cancer very resistant to treatment. After my surgery, they discovered that I have a lot of high-grade dysplasia and some cancer in situ at my bronchial margins. No lymph node involvement I do have something called perineural invasion that at first they wanted to do chemo for and then changed their mind. Now I am being sent to another facility for a consultation for a possible treatment for the cancer, in situ and high-grade dysplasia. They are talking about photodynamic therapy, but they have to do a biopsy first. I also just had my first CT scan post surgery and now have 3 new nodules in my right lower lobe. Too small to biopsy yet. Does anyone have any experience with or insights into all of this extra stuff I am dealing with after surgery and like I said just want to also hear from anyone dealing with squamous cell lung cancer.

[GillBo]

I was diagnosed with lung cancer in my right lower lobe in July 2020, which was confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma. I had stage 1-2 due to the size of it. I had open surgery for a lobectomy and it was completely removed. I was extremely lucky that I didn’t need any further treatment. I’ve had a few scares and had to have an EBUS because of a raised lymph node in my chest. Fortunately it went down and nothing sinister was found. I am due my 3rd year consultation this week, and each time,I must admit, that I do worry each time! I hope you get the information you are looking for and I wish you lots of luck x

[Susie215 in reply to GillBo]

thanks for replying. I was sure hoping to get the result that you did after surgery but didn’t happen that way. So happy for you being 3 years out and no reoccurrence

[555Violet555]

I was diagnosed in March 2023 with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR +My oncologist says this mutation is very rare in squamous cell carcinoma.

I'm on Tagrisso with the intention to consider consolidation after the next scan.

[Susie215 in reply to 555Violet555]

yes I heard having that mutation rare in squamous as well.They haven’t done markers on me yet but they were talking about it. Don’t know if my insurance will cover since I am stage 1B. What is Tagrisso? Did you not have to do chemo or radiation? What does consolidation after next scan mean?

[555Violet555 in reply to Susie215]

They sent my tissue to biomarkers tests as part of the standard in the UK I think, plus being young (I'm 39) never smoker and otherwise healthy, they felt there must be a "driver" mutation there.Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a biological drug which targets this mutation. I'm only in the beginning of my journey and chemoradiotion will defiantly be considered as well. I don't really know what's the standard practice where you are, but given the are target therapies, this is the main reason it's being done also for adjuvant treatment after surgery

[Susie215 in reply to 555Violet555]

wow very unusual to get squamous cell in non- smoker and rare to have the mutation. Are they positive yours is squamous? You mentioned surgery. Did you have surgery? Didn’t know they did surgery for stage 4. I am not in UK. I’m in US. I was told very little chance I would have this mutation with squamous. Looks like you got lucky there. I hope you do well with any treatments you are able to get. I am trying to take one day at a time but it is very difficult. I am so stressed

[555Violet555 in reply to Susie215]

I don't know if I'm lucky, but there were are... No, no surgery for me at this stage.This is very tough...I hope you have support around you to go though this

[Susie215 in reply to 555Violet555]

I mainly just have a couple best friends. Even with stage 4 things are so more advanced than they were in the past. Many people are living a long time with stage 4. For me the hardest thing is the unknown and feeling like I don’t have control. Hope you have good support as well. I didn’t think I wanted a man again after mine passed away but I told my friend the other day I wish I could go rent a husband. Lol

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Susie215

Our forum is run by a UK charity and the vast majority of our members are based in the UK. Although many of the drugs and treatment regimes are similar each country has its own guidelines, I have added below links to similar sites to this which are based in the U.S.A.

American Lung Association

lung.org/

The Americian Lung Association has its own dedicated forum

inspire.com/groups/american...

Lung cancer Foundation of America

lcfamerica.org/

Lungevity

lungevity.org/

Another forum available on the American Cancer Survivors Network

csn.cancer.org/categories/129

Hope that you find some helpful information in these websites

Kind Regards

[Susie215 in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

thank you

[arthurpops]

I was diagnosed with squamous cancer in 2013 and had an upper left lobectomy with no other treatments. I had no recurrences till last year I was diagnosed with squamous cancer in my right lung, that was treated with 20 fractions of radiotherapy and am now back to health and enjoying life.

[Susie215 in reply to arthurpops]

glad you are doing so well now. I was hoping I would be done after surgery except for frequent CT scans but didn’t turn out that way

[arthurpops in reply to Susie215]

I thought the same after my surgery and went 9 years of all clear only for it to return but I stayed positive throughout and I'm sure you can do the same!!

[Susie215 in reply to arthurpops]

thanks. Hope so

[palooka]

My lung cancer was squamous cell I had surgery to remove half of my left lung. On the TNM Classification it was T2 NO MO. Which i was told meant there was no spread. It was a long time ago and I expect I would have had more treatment today.

[Susie215 in reply to palooka]

so glad you have done so well with just having the surgery. That is what I was hoping for but I didn’t get that lucky. Hope you continue to not need any other treatments