Adenocarcinoma - newly diagnosed

Thanks Matthew...Yes, I will also have chemo & radiation together...radiation 5x a week and chemo 1x a week. Others have mentioned that they did not get sick...really hoping I don't either.
Wow...wonderful for you...2-1/2 years..that's amazing. Hope I will be that lucky!

Thanks
Sandy

I have a similar cancer/area. Maybe a few weeks ahead in testing.
First I was numb/frozen.
Then I had a panic attack. Went to my regular doc for drugs for that.
Now I’m full of questions and indecision.
The radiation oncologists recommend SBRT radiation -4 sessions.
The surgeon recommends removal of the lobe.
Both insist their way is the best. I’m supposed to choose.
The 4 radiation sessions may result with a “sunburn” area.
The pulmonologist told me the surgery was really tough and difficult to recover from.
So I’m confused and continuing with testing and doing nothing as far as choosing.
Hope it’s going better for you.

Hi mayocid1...I totally understand where you're coming from - I'm still in a similar feeling as you. However, I am really hoping for surgery - but my surgeon does robotic (RAT) surgery which is much less invasive than being cut open. And he did tell me that it is a difficult surgery to get through (especially if you are cut open) which is why he is suggesting the robotic surgery. I don't know what stage you are at? but if you are in the early stage, read up and talk with peeps in this group. I am at stage 3b and I'm 77 years old...still hopeful I can have it cut out of me...I have learned a LOT (plus a lot of googling which sometimes upsets me so I don't do it quite as much any more) but I too am still full of questions, and since my treatment hasn't started yet, it makes for even more questions. That's why this group is so helpful! This whole cancer thing is a learning process until you have been through it. If you are really unsure, you might consider different docs? Hang in there, hopefully it will start to fall in place soon for you. And please keep us posted as to what you decide to do.
Sandy

As I understand, I am at 1b.
Yes, my surgeon uses the robotic method also.
You are a still cut open, your ribs are pried apart, lobe removed. Lung may deflate, etc.
I am afraid of trying to recover and being able to breath after the surgery. I have heard of some that didn’t go well.
Did your doctors recommend the SBRT radiation instead of surgery?
I’m 70.
Nancy

Hi Nancy...Good you're at 1b...wonderful, caught early! No my doctors did not recommend SBRT radiation instead of surgery..probably because I want the surgery. So they are trying to shrink it and if all goes well, I would prefer the surgery...I want it OUT of my body! But I will ask about it..

Sandy

Nancy, I’m 78. Robotic surgery went very well. I have a few small - 1 inch or so - incisions in my side and one slightly bigger where the chest tube was. I had a segment of my right lung removed - not an entire lobe - and my breathing is fine. I am coughing, which I think is not unusual, and my
ribs in front are tender, but I’m doing well. I walked 5 miles one day last week - 3 weeks after surgery. I had a small nodule, so oncologist and thoracic surgeon agreed surgery was the best course. I start chemo next week. My Stage is 1b, so I was lucky. My best wishes to you.

I can understand wanting the Cancer out.
It does seem the best plan.
I’m just so afraid of the results/complications.
Even during the biopsy, even though I warned the doctors and nurses, still they managed to scratch my cornea and cut/bruise/blister my lip. Of course these things heal -just painful.
I have also had serious infections (the hospital kind) from surgeries. So many things to go wrong . My right hip has been replaced 5 times, infected, dislocated and hurts a lot daily.
I can’t imaging a lung “oopsie” that results with me not being able to walk and breath.

My experience in having lower left lobe removed through VATS surgery at UCLA required three incisions, one in my back, under lower left breast and on the side, the largest being 2" where they pulled the lung out. All the best to you and as we all say, try to stay positive. Sounds like they found it early!

Hi Nancy- I just wanted to let you know that I am 3 1/2 weeks post op after my LUL segmentectomy and a lingular wedge for adenocarcinoma. My surgeon used the Robotic assisted method. It is easier and faster to recover from. I also read a lot about these surgeries and scared the heck out of me. I thought I was going to be in horrible pain, in bed, etc. I was also afraid of the same thing, not being able to breathe. Neither case was true! They had me up walking the second day, still with chest tube in and catheter! Moving afterward is the key. If your not very mobile now, get moving if possible. Use an inspirometer, lung exerciser. My pulmonologist told me to double what I was walking to exercise my lungs and heart.
But, for a different choice, my Aunt who was 77 at the time, had the SBRT for hers, which was in the lower lung. She said it was so easy! 5 days at 30 minutes a day, and done. She is now 82, and all of her CT and PET scans have been clear since. What my surgeon told me was that if you can have surgery to get it out, you should do it. The reason being, if another one comes up later, you may not be able to have surgery at that time because of lung function or heart condition. Hopefully this will help you.
Best wishes, Cindy

Hi @mayocid1, Welcome to Mayo Connect! Getting this type of diagnosis is always such a shock, it's completely normal to need some help in processing the weight of the situation, and then they hit you with big decisions to be made! It is overwhelming.
Surgery and SBRT are both common options, and both can be effective. (SBRT Info: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/sbrt/pyc-20446794)
Personally, I haven't been presented with a decision like this yet. I'll likely face something similar in the future when my cancer returns, and I think I would certainly lean toward SBRT. I don't like the idea of sedation and recovering from a major surgery. I'm currently treated with a targeted therapy, and I'm now considered NED (no evidence of disease). I've seen the power of treatments other than surgery, so I'll be open to SBRT.
It sounds like you've had your share of surgeries, so you likely know what it's like to recover.
We all need to make our own decisions, and both sound like good options for you. How large is your primary tumor? When do you need to make a decision?