I have stage 3 lung cancer, I have no symptoms and have no issues. I have 100% lung capacity. I have had 3 infusions of immunotherapy and chemotherapy. The tumour has shrunk 60/70%
I have a choice.
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy for 30 days.
Removal of left lung.
Both have risks.
Hi SCUBA1965
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you have lung cancer. It is encouraging that the tumour has reduced greatly in size prior to your next treatment, especially if you opt for surgery.
It is understandable the dilemma you have in your treatment options and am sure both have been explained to you by your oncology team. It is a personal decision and obviously you want the best outcome whatever you decide.
The aim of surgery will be to remove the entire area, be it lobe or lung and many do well after surgery, and like most surgeries, there is a period of recovery, you may find our booklet on lung surgery of help: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
Radiotherapy will aim to shrink it as much as possible and the chemotherapy will kill of as many cancer cells that are in the body, this is our booklet on radiotherapy: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...
It is good you are feeling well with no symptoms, which is a great starting position for any treatment and I hope you hear from others in the forum on their experience.
We have online support groups through zoom and if you are interested in these you can view these and register through this link: roycastle.org/help-and-supp...
Alternatively you can email our coordinator ellen.knapp@roycastle.org
You are welcome to contact our ask the nurses team on our free phone 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600, alternatively you can email us at lungcancerhelp@roycastle.org
Kind regards
The Roy Castle Support Team
Hi personally, I would have surgery, especially if you're fit enough. Having my cancer removed gave me more reassurance that hopefully, it won't come back. 🙏
If I had the chance, 100% would choose surgery
Good morning,Sorry to hear of your diagnosis.
I had my right lung removed due to stage 2 NSCLC yes it does come with risks but it also has its benefits.
My surgery was done in March 2020 recovery was hard to begin with but if you follow instructions and you are otherwise fit and well, it gets easier.
I was back to full time work 8wks later and my job is mainly outdoor walking up and down a mile long site.
Life is at a slower pace than pre op but I'm here and still loving life.
Good luck in whatever decision you make 🤞
Hello SCUBA1965, I'd definitely go for surgery if this is available to you. I had my right lung removed folllowed by adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery was 10 years ago (10th June 2014) and I have survived so far without recurrence.
It's been well worth it for me fortunately.
I wish you all the best whatever yoiu decide.
I was stage 3 too and had chemo and radiotherapy before having a lobe of my lung removed surgically. I have remained fit and running marathons (I realise my surgery is less than they are proposing to remove for you). However, my surgery was nearly ten years ago now and I remain well and on no treatment.
If you feel well and have good lung capacity now - I would personally be going for surgery. I had been told I was inoperable and grabbed the opportunity when it came up for me.
All the best with whatever you decide.
JaneyH 😊
Incredible! Can I ask what type of lung ca? EGFR+
Hi
I was stage 3b, adenocarcinoma, non small cell lung cancer. I had no mutations at time of diagnosis back in 2014 - had chemo and radiotherapy prior to surgery. When the analysed the tumour post surgery they found EGFR mutation.
Hope that helps 😊
and that you are here and well 10 years later very much so! Are you NED? No recurrences since?
I had was diagnosed in 2014 and had chemo, radiotherapy and then the lobectomy in 2015. I had a couple of years clear and then a node in my neck was found - had a complete neck dissection surgery followed by more radiotherapy which was end 2017 / early 2018. Scans have been clear / NED since then 😊
amazing! made my day! Had surgury 2018 for 2 small stage 1 a right upper wedge and right lower lobectomy. All was good until 2023 when thickening in scar tissue appeared - team did not think was recurrence. Biospsy no cells, PET did light up slightly - my anxiety was off charts so surgeon decided to go in. It was indeed another small new primary so more of right upper lobe removed (almost nothing left). Due to staging no treatment available - just watch and wait. Maybe will be one of the lucky ones where it doesn't return (again)! Your story does give me (and others ) hope!
I am so glad my story has given you hope. It is hard not to panic when things light up on PET scans. I hope that you have seen the last of it. Try not to live your days worrying about it (I know that is easier said than done!) but worrying won’t change whether it comes back or not. Just enjoy each day 😊
I would go for surgery since you have good lung capacity. I had my right upper lobe removed February 2023 but didn’t have clean margins. Then it spread to carina and left bronchus area. I had 6 weeks of radiation and pet scan still lighting up in that area and we don’t know if it’s just inflammation or cancer still. I have squamous type cancer which doesn’t seem to want to respond well. What type is your cancer?
I don't have the option of surgery myself, but I would definitely opt for it if I could. As it is, I can only hope that immunotherapy will keep the cancer under control for a year or two. Mine is adenocarcinoma, and has spread to adrenal glands, lymph nodes and spine. Like you I'm mostly symptom free at the moment, and there has been some shrinkage of the main tumour. All the best, whatever you decide.
Hi Scuba,
My story is similar to the others. Diagnosed stage 3A lung cancer in August 2019. I was 72 and in great shape. No symptoms. VA X-ray do Angent Orange showed mass in lung. After biopsy, CT and PET scan radiation and chemo were suggested. Surgery for 3A was not recommended. A consultation with Thorastic Surgeon opened the door to surgery. My tumor was removed with clear margins. Praise God. I had more chemo after surgery.
Today 5 years and counting I’m sill cancer free. Hiking and active. Rehab was challenging, but worth it for sure.
I would get the surgery.
Wishing you my best!
Hi Scuba. I was diagnosed with stage 2b Adenocarcinoma in my left lower lobe and I underwent a lobectomy at the end of April. Recovery from the surgery was swift and I was out walking 3-4,000 steps within a couple of weeks. Of course everyone’s recovery is different but I’m 75 and also had 100% lung capacity prior to surgery. The margins were clear with no cancer cells in the lymph nodes in close proximity. I’m now undergoing 4 sessions of adjuvant chemotherapy that I’m hoping will clean up any “escapees”. It’s difficult to give advice as your decision is a very personal one but given a choice again I really wouldn’t hesitate to have the surgery again. I wish you good luck in your journey. X
The issue I have is the position of the tumour it's on the pulmonary artery and the surgeon is not 100% he can remove the cancer. He can open me up and have a look. It's in a really difficult place. If he can't remove it he will stitch me back up.
I don't think I will have surgery, because after all, if I agree it not 100% it can be done. If the tumour is breaching both lungs it won't be possible.
I'm 100% I'm going to fight this.
positivity goes a long way. I wish you all the luck in the world.
Indeed - looking for someone to bottle it for sale to help on those "not so good days"!
Pet Scan results are in.
Stay positive 
What to do
