Stage 3 curative?

[Lesleypod]

HiMy mum (76 years old with COPD and emphysema) was diagnosed on 17 June with stage 3 nsclc with localised spread to a rib and lymph node. She has her 20th and last radiotherapy dose tomorrow. The oncologist said he was aiming for curative. There has been no mention of chemo or targeted therapy. Is this realistic to be talking curative? Think I'm just starting to get anxious about treatment ending and no follow up for at least the next month.

Thanks for reading and keep fighting 💪

[JanetteR57]

Always scary when a treatment is coming to an end for patient and relatives! Radiotherapy is given in different ways and intentions - including with curative intent for lung cancer (as is surgery). I had surgery and no chemotherapy despite tumour being 7cm but that was in Dec 2010 -- my tumour would be T3 but that isn't the same as stage 3 - mine was stage 2b. With surgery, the follow up was after a month, 3 months, 6 monthly then I quickly went into annual check with no further treatment and that at times, felt scary.

Targeted therapies are not available to all patients - that depends on the pathology from biopsies - similar with immunotherapy. Not everyone gets chemotherapy either. Treatments are very personalised to the characteristics of the tumour, if it has spread and the patient.

It's natural to think that if we're not on active treatment or delays happen that it may still be ravaging our body but the treatment works differently than we imagine. It's always best to speak to the clinicians treating the patient as they'll be aware of any other issues, conditions and options. Our comments on here are from non clinicians but lived experience so always best to speak to somebody medical. Will you go with her to the appointment? Write down your questions for them. Do you have power of attorney to speak to them on her behalf?

Worth explaining your anxiety/concern to the nurse/secretary before the appointment. In the meantime, this booklet may help explain further. hope you get some answers so you can help support her through the next stages but hope it reassures that many patients are not on treatment continuously or constantly for their lung cancer as the body does its repair work between and after treatments. Good luck. roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

[Lesleypod in reply to JanetteR57]

Thank you so much for your reply and delighted you continue to do well.I go to all the appointments with my mum. I don't have PoA, however the oncologist said, because I attended with my mum, they assume consent given by her so, happy to talk to me.

I guess I'm disbelieving of the consultant's words when he said he was looking at curative when the tumour has spread, but also scared for my mum too, as she is a young 76 with lots of living still to do.

Thanks again.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hello Lesleypod,

I'm sorry to hear about your Mum's cancer journey. This must be a difficult time for you all. I'm sure it will be a relief for her to have completed the radiotherapy treatments and it is only natural to feel a little apprehensive about the future, the prognosis and whether there may be other treatments involved. This is something best discussed with your Oncology team. Your Mum's lung cancer specialist nurse will be able to assist.

Waiting for a month for follow up can seem a long time to wait and understandably you will feel anxious. Support is available, so it is good that you have reached out on her behalf. Others on this forum may share their experiences and 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... Or by emailing [e-mail]

You might find our information leaflets useful, these can be found on this link roycastle.org/help-and-supp...

This link takes you to the information booklet on radiotherapy Page 27 discusses follow up following radiotherapy: roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

I hope some of this is helpful, but if there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600.

Wishing you and your Mum all the best

Roy Castle Support Team

[Lesleypod in reply to RoyCastleHelpline]

Thank you so much for your reply. I'll take a look at the leaflets and will be in touch if I have any questions. ❤️