Stage one lung cancer: Spouse went to Surgeon today He said it was the size of a bean..SBRT was suggested instead of surgery..He could do surgery or this SBRT? Has anyone had this procedure? Thank you
@mmcorpora Depends on location. Doctors should tell you which is better surgery or SBRT. If you have choice here is my experience
1) I had 2 VAT wedge resections (they did not take the lobe). The first was easy, I was driving my car a week later. And they can analyze it and hopefully get all of it. My second one had a complication (fractured rib) but I am still glad I did it
2) I then later had photon SBRT. It was painless and I just got up from the table and drove myself home. However, 8 weeks later I had radiation-induced pneumonitis and am now on oxygen. I have pulmonary fibrosis which means there is much higher risk in complications. Also radiation makes it very hard to see what is in the lung after.
Stage one lung cancer: Spouse went to Surgeon today He said it was the size of a bean..SBRT was suggested instead of surgery..He could do surgery or this SBRT? Has anyone had this procedure? Thank you
@mmcorpora I had SBRT twice two years apart for three stage 1 tumors. I had side effects but the tumors have remained stable for ten years. A small number of us develop pneumonitis from the radiation and that happened to me both times. Also, I developed some heart problems that my cardio believes were related to SBRT. But I must be clear, both side effects were preferable to me rather than surgery.
@mmcorpora, welcome. I'm so glad that your spouse's cancer was found at an early stage when the tumor is small and your have treatment options.
I moved your question about stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to this existing discussion:
- SBRT (radiation) for lung cancer: What's your experience?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sbrt/
I did this so you can connect with other members like @char09@tumanic@vic83@dave56pa and others who can share more about SBRT.
I had a malignant tumor in the left lung. Treated it with SBRT. Tumor is still shrinking today. The only issue I’ve had is as the tumor shrinks after radiation the edge of the radiated part firms up causing pressure on the pliers or lining of the lung causing me to experience pleurisy. With exertion it is harder for me to breathe but I can use an inhaler so problem is dealt with. Much better than having a growing tumor.
I had SBRT in Sept. 2022 for left lung, actually the bronchial tube going to the upper and lower chamber. Dr said he would have to remove my upper lobe or have radiation. Since my right up upper lobe was destroyed by a MAC infection, surgery would result in me being on oxygen for the rest of my life.
I really did not have any negative effects, however my blood pressure increased by 40 points. They increased my blood pressure medicine and solved the problem. After the radiation we lowered the blood pressure dosage to less than I had been originally taking.
In October of 2025, another tumor developed very close to where the original one was and again I had radiation. I will have as pet scan in February to see if the tumor is shrinking, and now I am on immunotherapy.
I believe one major mistake I after my first radiation was not having Chemo as 5 months later the cancer had moved to my right lung and I'm being treated for that.
All in all I have been fortunate to not have any major side effects from my treatments.
I am listed at stage 4 nsclc since April 2023 and still strong with few side effects.
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@mmcorpora Depends on location. Doctors should tell you which is better surgery or SBRT. If you have choice here is my experience
1) I had 2 VAT wedge resections (they did not take the lobe). The first was easy, I was driving my car a week later. And they can analyze it and hopefully get all of it. My second one had a complication (fractured rib) but I am still glad I did it
2) I then later had photon SBRT. It was painless and I just got up from the table and drove myself home. However, 8 weeks later I had radiation-induced pneumonitis and am now on oxygen. I have pulmonary fibrosis which means there is much higher risk in complications. Also radiation makes it very hard to see what is in the lung after.
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1 Reaction@mmcorpora I had SBRT twice two years apart for three stage 1 tumors. I had side effects but the tumors have remained stable for ten years. A small number of us develop pneumonitis from the radiation and that happened to me both times. Also, I developed some heart problems that my cardio believes were related to SBRT. But I must be clear, both side effects were preferable to me rather than surgery.
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2 Reactions@colleenyoung Thank you so much for your kind reply ❤️
I had a malignant tumor in the left lung. Treated it with SBRT. Tumor is still shrinking today. The only issue I’ve had is as the tumor shrinks after radiation the edge of the radiated part firms up causing pressure on the pliers or lining of the lung causing me to experience pleurisy. With exertion it is harder for me to breathe but I can use an inhaler so problem is dealt with. Much better than having a growing tumor.
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Hug
1 ReactionThank you for your reply Michele
I had SBRT in Sept. 2022 for left lung, actually the bronchial tube going to the upper and lower chamber. Dr said he would have to remove my upper lobe or have radiation. Since my right up upper lobe was destroyed by a MAC infection, surgery would result in me being on oxygen for the rest of my life.
I really did not have any negative effects, however my blood pressure increased by 40 points. They increased my blood pressure medicine and solved the problem. After the radiation we lowered the blood pressure dosage to less than I had been originally taking.
In October of 2025, another tumor developed very close to where the original one was and again I had radiation. I will have as pet scan in February to see if the tumor is shrinking, and now I am on immunotherapy.
I believe one major mistake I after my first radiation was not having Chemo as 5 months later the cancer had moved to my right lung and I'm being treated for that.
All in all I have been fortunate to not have any major side effects from my treatments.
I am listed at stage 4 nsclc since April 2023 and still strong with few side effects.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction