Treatment for metastasis to the lungs?

My husband's cancer had spread from pancreas to lungs, bones along spine, and lymph nodes before he even knew he had cancer. They treated him first for lung cancer... said the spread wasn't "normal" for pancreatic cancer so that doctor (and also the second opinion at cleveland clinic) decided the primary was lung cancer. Bad choice as of course that chemo and immunotherapy did nothing. Delayed proper treatment for many months until we made the wise choice of a new oncologist. He's had nothing specifically targeting the mets in lungs... simply chemo targeting pancreatic cancer.

Thank you for your response. Chemo was probably helping it not to metastasize, but seems its efficiency was slowly wearing down?
I wish you continued strength on your journey.

@mnewland99
I began a clinical trial July 9. After 2 cycles it shows my lung nodule virtually invisible on scan and liver lesion significantly smaller. Overall 40% reduction. This is the RM9805/6236 trial.
I was told initially that the lung lesion could be resected or radiated. After much prayer and study, I decided to try the clinical trial first. I began cycle 3 last week. We shall see if it continues to contain things!

gamaryanne,
That’s wonderful news! I’m really happy for you. This is for KRAS12D if I recall correctly. My hesitation would be going off the chemo for so long. My liver lesion is still reduced even though a fairly decent size (0.9 cm) new nodule appeared in the lung and possibly in the bones as well. I’m already having difficulty breathing. I would be curious to hear why you decided against resection or radiation. I wish you continued good luck. Is there a pill through this clinical trial that you would be taking permanently? I wish you continued good health from your trial!

I had mets to the lung from the pancreas. I have KRAS G12D and TP53 mutations also. The gemcitabine and abraxane seem to work well at reducing the lung nodules and the pancreas tail tumor. Had 44 chemo before I took a "break" but I think I should have taken my break earlier since the CA 19-9 was on the rise before I took my short 4-month break. As I said in another post my CA 19-9 went to 337.9 and is down to 44.7 after only 6 chemo treatments.

That’s very good results. I also have the ATM mutation and I think, just based on anecdotal evidence of the posts in this group, that ATM provides the more aggressive feature to pancreatic cancer as my CA19-9 is rising sharply within a small amount of time. The medical oncologist doesn’t want to do a biopsy on my lung module to verify its cancer and thinks it’s something else but doesn’t know what. I also had a lesion light up in my femur on my latest PET scan so now I have to get a MRI to verify it.

FYI-there is a cohort studying RMC6236 with chemo as a combo.

I did not do radiation or resection in lung area because it was not deemed large enough to biopsy. I would like to hold off on radiation.

gamaryanne,
You’re giving me a wealth of information here and I really appreciate it! My nodule was a bit (“not appreciably”) hyperbolic on the PET scan and 0.9cm in size. No nodule was detected on my July 9 CT scan. My oncologist (infusion center) doesn’t recognize it as cancer but his type is that he doesn’t like to be the bearer of bad news, I’ve noticed. I’m going to see my pulmonologist this week to get some help. Interesting news about RCMC6236. I personally think though that it’s the 2 you are getting together that’s giving the positive results.

I was offered a biopsy on a lung nodule by my pulmonologist but after discussing with my oncologist, we decided not to since it would be a needless surgery to prove that what shrunk with chemo was mets. The theory was sound to me since I am a retired nurse and I watched those scifi movies where you "upset the mothership" and send little ships out 🙂

199, thank you for your response and the years of nursing you gave. It’s not an easy profession, but definitely a rewarding one (I worked as a nursing aide some years during my 10 part time years in college). After it was ruled out yesterday that it wasn’t a blood clot in my lungs, it’s been decided drs will wait 2 months to do another scan to see if it grows. Meantime I’m trying to take weekly (for 3 weeks per month) chemo to keep down those rising CA19-9 numbers. Sounds like you made a wise decision on your part and very best wishes on your continued good health!