Has anyone gotten a second opinion before lung cancer surgery?

I have been diag osed with early stage suspicious nodule in lower right lung. Surgeon wants to do a wedge with possible removal of whole lobe. Cannot have biopsy due to emphazima and have said no to lobe temoval. Now surgeon may not do just wedge. Not illing yo live on oxygen for life so may go with radiation. Has amyone had good results from radiation as opposed to surgery. Surgeon calling me tomorrow and i am worrued sick about this.

@bogy , These are hard decisions to make. Each of us comes into this with different preexisting conditions and overall health. Have you asked for a consultation with a radiation oncologist? Lung radiation comes with its own set of potential risks. It may not be an easy treatment for you, but it's worth the discussion. How large is the nodule? Is it growing, what did the PET scan show?

@andycapp recently faced a similar situation. As he was unable to have surgery. Here's a link to one of his posts:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1602349/

Thank you or your reply. I duscussed this firther with the surgeon and we have decuded to hi with a wedge, then bioosy and stop there. Thalen we will lnow more and i will heal and discuss any further treatment when i k ow exactly what i am dealing with. Nodule is 9mm and has griwn 1mm over 2 months. I would rather nit wait any longer to go ahead with a wedge and find out exactly what i will be dealing with. Hopefully I may not need any further surgery but if i do i will have more time to decide next steos abd what timeline will be. With my early stage emphazima, dr says even with lobectomy i will onlu lose 5% of breathing and this will improve over a couple of months. I feel more comfortable getting a biopsy furst as opposed tp radiation where i will never know whst it is. Surgery will be set for end of month and i will know more then after a biopsy. Heres hoping. I must remain positive here. Thanks so much.

Sorry for spelling. HAVE VUSION ISSUES.

@bogy I'm glad your surgeon was willing to be flexible. if it was me, I would also want to know the specific type of cancer to have the best match with my treatment options. good luck with your surgery!

Thanks so much.

My surgery date for weDge abd biopsy is set for August 4th. I will keep you informed with news on this. Cant say i am not nervouse. Has anyine had a wedge that can tell me how much pain they had.

Thankyou all

@bogy, I'm wishing you the best for your upcoming surgery. Taking the wedge will give your team the information that they need to move forward. Everyone reacts to surgery differently, and each surgery is slightly unique too. It's difficult to predict how much pain you'll have. I would speak with the surgical team to see if they can reassure you about how they can address general pain from the surgery and nerve pain specifically. Knowing ahead of time may help to ease your mind. You could try a phone call to the surgical office, as a nurse may be able to explain more.
In the mean-time, there are some posts here on Mayo Connect regarding surgical pain. If you read those, consider that those patients who aren't dealing with pain may be out living their lives, so you may be reading the worst cases. Sending hugs.

Thank you so much for your reply. I have decided to go ahead with lobectomy, if needed instead of healing from a wedge and biopsy and going into hospital again. I may as well get it all over with and hope for the best. Surgery date is August 4th and i hope to be one that does not have more pain than usual. I will update everyone when i get home from hospital Take care all.

Hi @bogy, I hope your surgery went as planned, and you are starting to heal. Give yourself time. Walk if you are able and make sure you rest too. One day at a time.