Lung Cancer Pathology Report

I got a call from his staff yesterday stating the dr. was going to call me today at 7:30AM. I emailed a message to him explained everything. He called me at 8:30AM saying he forgot to call me and why was I wanting him to call me. So I explained again over the phone and it was mostly about the pathology report, and he had no answers. He you are seeing me next week and we can discuss this. I said, no I am not seeing you next week, my appointment isn't until the end of June. Evidently he knew nothing what was going on. Then he said why would get a second opinion on a pathology report when mostly 2nd opinions are for management of the illness. So I told him why. When my hubby got Cancer in 2010 his pathology report was WRONG it was NOT as bad as was reported. So, I'm leery of pathology reports now. It probably is right but I want to make sure. I've seen too many misdiagnosis in my lifetime. And my hubby's pathology report was the first ever I found out was wrong. I'm also having a problem getting the X-rays, the slides, and all pertinent info from the hospital. I called today and got disconnected, called back, they said they had to send me a form, so they were sending through email but I haven't gotten it yet. No one believed me when I told them a while back how I was feeling. It was all in my head supposedly, until it wasn't!

I don't google. I went to May Clinic site for answers to some of questions. I don't believe all I read on the internet. The report from my needle biopsy states it metastized, but yet the Pet Scan I had before the needle biopsy stated lung caner was suspicious but didn't find an metastize in other organs. So I don't know what is going on, at this point in my life with my age, no matter good or bad, I decided I am not doing Chemo. Radiation I don't know about either. I'm too old to have that done and then it not work, and be more sick. So I'll just have to see what I'm going to do if anything. I appreciate your input. I have no idea even when I'll be able to see a oncologist. Everything is waiting. I've been waiting since last October to find out what is going on which started in May when I didn't feel well.

@dablues82, I'm sorry about the Google confusion. You mentioned using it in your original post. Waiting and not knowing is the hardest part of maybe having cancer.

I don't see any mention of metastasis in the pathology report. The biopsy came from your upper left lobe and mentions pulmonary origin. Pulmonary origin means from the lungs. Metastasis is when the original cancer has shown up in another organ, like when my lung cancer showed up in my brain 2 years later.

The pathology report mentions CK7, CEA, TTF-1, and Napsin which are all markers used to identify disease. The presence of Napsin, in particular, indicates the possibility of adenocarcinoma, the most common type of cancer.

I've been dealing with lung cancer for 6 years now, and I have multiple friends who have survived definitive diagnoses, which you don't have yet, for even longer. My philosophy is that until I have a definite cancer diagnosis, then I don't have cancer. I've had 2 false alarms in the last year alone when my Oncologist became concerned about things that turned out to be nothing months later.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry about things that haven't happened yet. Your doctor may be waiting for your small tumor to stay the same or change in some way that provides a definitive diagnosis.

Keep in touch with us. Let us know what you learn in your next meeting. We're here for you.

I'm forgetting about that. I went to see the surgeon today and there is cancer in both lungs. They want to operate on one and the second one on the other lung is small but in a tricky place. He showed me everything. He was concise, pleasant and didn't try to get me in and out of his office as soon as possible. I'm 82 and also have emphysema or COPD I was told I had both. He examined me and explained what would happen when they got inside how bad it would, etc. I have to see a heart doctor tomorrow to clear me for surgery and if I'm not cleared then will have see the oncologist and I am do not want chemo. So will see. Thanks for your reply.

I went to see the surgeon today. Cancer in both lungs, the left bigger and that is the one they will be treating. My daughter came with me, he showed the slides eplainined everything about the cancer in the lung, the margins. He was very concise. The cancer in the right lung he is tricky but smaller than the one in the left lung. Right now concentrating on the bigger one and the operation. I don't want one but what is one to do. If I'm cleared by the heart doctor tomorrow I will have the operation on July 2nd. If not then I need to go to the oncologist which I don't want chemo. I got to see how everything works out. At my age I don't think I want to put that stuff in my body but will see what happens. Thanks for your information. Appreciate it.

The pulmonary doctor did call me and I was not satisfied. He didn't explain anything, but the surgeon I saw today did. I have cancer in both lungs. The left it is bigger. The right he said is in a tricky spot. If I'm cleared by the heart doctor to go ahead with the operation, it will be the left lung. If I can't get the all clear on surgery then to the oncologist. I really don't want to have chemo especially at my age. So will wait and see. I have to stop ALL supplements and no aspirin or any products that contain aspirin which is fine I can't take it anyway. Thanks for your info and yes nurse practioners are a godsend but we pay the Doctor[s] but will admit today the surgeon I talked to was pleasant, concise, spent as much time with me and my daugher as was necessary and explained so much. So that is it for today. Tomorrow the heart clinic.

I hope they have a plan that will help you. They have chemo pills, and other treatments. Keep us posted.

@dablues82, Thanks for updating us. These appointments are not easy, but I'm glad you had your daughter there with you, and I'm glad that the surgeon was a good communicator.
There are many treatment options available to lung cancer patients today, and the options for chemo have changed too. Depending on the cancer, sometimes they can use lower doses, or less harsh combinations of meds, and there are better meds to manage side effects now too.
There is much more hope today than in the past! A good oncologist will present you with the options, let you choose, and respect your choice. You are still in control of your treatment.
Wishing you best at your heart appointment today. Hugs.

I was very concerned about chemo for my husband bc my mom had such a bad experience. But he took 4 treatments post lobectomy and he was minimally affected by it.

I too am 82 and I just finished chemo. My only problem was a runny nose. I didn't have fatigue until the last cycle (of 4). So talk to the oncologist about your concerns and see what is recommendation. Please don't just write it off.