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Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences
We have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. @linda10 and @sakota.- Please join me in this discussion.
For a short explanation of this tongue twister. Briefly, Multifocal Adenocarcinoma (MAC) of the lung is a clinical entity of multiple synchronous (less than 6 months) or metachronous (more than 6 months), often ground-glass opacities (GGO) on CT scan, typically indolent-behaving cancers. There is a scarce amt of clinical data to guide treatment decisions.
This came from http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.15_suppl.e20041.
This means that more than one potential cancerous lesion, mostly ground glass, shows up at a time. For instance I had 3 cancerous lesions 10 years ago in my left lung and in the same area. They were all different sizes. They grow at different rates.
Multifocal adenocarcinoma is a very complex cancer because the medical profession doesn't know if the ground glass lesions are the primary cancer or small metastases of another primary cancer. They don't even know where they start..
Multifocal Adenocarcinoma has sub types and it's management is based on whether it's indolent or very virulent.
These are very simplistic explanations. Even doctors are confused by it and it's only been within the last twenty years that they have separated it from a Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma (BAC).
The constant recurrences are the buggers. Not only do we have to constantly face lots of CT scans but when lung cells change, which they often do, we are in terror of another virulent cancer. I presently have several ground glass lesions. And I have had many that have disappeared. It's enough to drive you nuts and PTSD is exacerbated by the frequency of these devils.
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Change of plan- will be starting on dual checkpoint inhibitors / Nivolumab and ipilimumab in 2 weeks.
Anyone have experience with these?
@sheland1, you can join this discussion:
- Anyone on the Ipilimumab (Yervoy) and Nivolumab (Opdivo) combo? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ipilumab-and-nivolumab-combo/
See search results for more related discussions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/
Ground glass opacity
Hello @macallan, have you been diagnosed with GGO? It seems to be elusive in some cases.
Hi Merry - here is an idea for a topic....everybody's count of nodules treated over the years. Mayo had a study that was supposed to come out, but I can't find it so maybe they gave up.
So let's do our own!
I am now 4 years in and have had 5 nodules treated to date.
Order and treatment: VAT wedge resection in RUL, VAT wedge resection in LUL each for 1 nodule (so the scars match), then photon SBRT for 2 in RUL and again proton SBRT for 1 nodule in RUL. Endless CT and PET scans, and pulmonary function tests. I should get a discount.
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1 ReactionI found out my Adenocarcinoma Lung cancer accidently in Oct. 2024. 10mm, 7mm and 5mm.
VAT wedge resection in RLL in March, 2025, removed 2 nodules, 10mm & 7mm.
Genetic test results EGFR mutation.
But 5mm nodule in left lung was not removed.
Two weeks ago, CT showed the 5mm grew to 7mm in 6 months and found a new additional 2mm in left lung. Doctor will do VAT wedge on Jan 13, 2026 to remove the 7mm but not the 2mm, although I asked for to remove.
I am 75 years old woman, I have never smoked, none of my family and friends is smoker. I have been doing everything right to keep my good health. I am frustrated it keeps recurring. Helen
@hch559 , Having surgery two years in a row sounds rough! I guess it's good that you know what to expect now. Hopefully everything goes well for you on the 13th. Maybe you aren't a good candidate, but because you have the EGFR mutation, has your doctor talked about targeted therapy at all?
@lls8000
My surgeon said no chemo needed. He said the nodules were stage 1a1, once removed, no need chemo or other treatment.
I read about Target therapy will prevent genetic mutation. But it also has side effects.
I will raise this question to doctor. Thank you for asking .