Adenocarcinoma - newly diagnosed

Hi,

You'll want to make sure they did a full biomarker test. The biomarker test finds out what mutations/DNA/RNA and proteins the tumor has. That can make a huge difference in the treatments offered. I would definitely ask the doctor about it and look into where the nearest Center of Excellence for lung cancer is for you.

Best warm wishes to you!

I am currently going through part of Karmanos and will be getting a second opinion from Beaumont.
Karmanos says surgery or SBRT radiation. I have to choose.
That’s the tough part. Do I know enough to choose? Will I choose right? Will I choose wrong?
Stressful.

It will be if necessary. We will know more after Monday.

After having a tightness in my chest and having difficulty breathing my PCP sent me for a chest x-ray. Then a CT scan which showed a ; cm mass on my left lung. I had a biopsy done with over 21 samples on March 30. April 2 I was told that it is 6 1/2 cm. My first Oncology appointment is on Monday. I can feel that it has grown more. It’s harder to breath and im very tired. I haven’t found out anything else other than its too big gif surgery. Any suggestions?

Yes. I did. I have Adencarcinoma nscl I also found out today on my PET scan that I have two lymph nodes that showed up.

Donna, you may find these 2 discussions helpful:
- Adenocarcinoma - newly diagnosed https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adenocarcinoma-newly-diagnosed/

- Adenocarcinoma Stage 3 newly diagnosed. Advice? Success stories? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adenocarcinoma-stage-3-newly-diagnosed-advice-success-stories/

Do you have a treatment plan yet?

Thank you. They are wanting me to start chemotherapy/radiation and then if able immunotherapy. The Oncologist said that the tests would take 2 weeks to get back. But after thinking about it. I will move forward,, however I am going to wait on the molecular results. I just can’t see killing good cells? They gave up biopsy the lymph nodes that are showing up.

@donnatownsend, I’m glad to hear you are getting the molecular/biomarker tests. It should be standard of care, but still doesn’t always happen. If you are able to tolerate the symptoms that you are experiencing, it may be worth waiting for the results. If they identify a mutation the treatments can be significantly different than for other lung cancers.
My cancer is an adenocarcinoma, and is caused by the ALK mutation. If they gave up on the lymph node biopsy, did they do a liquid/blood biopsy for the molecular test?

Good morning. The surgeon called today to set up an appointment for consultation for the lymph node biopsy. I am supposed to get a call to do the blood work. But haven’t received it yet. I read about the procedure to do the biopsy yesterday and it said that you should not have it done if your cancer is inoperable. Which mind is because of the encasement of my bronchi. So i really want to know about that as well

Hi @donnatownsend, It seems like things are moving ahead, and you are compiling a great list of questions for your appointment/s. Remember while you are reading info about biopsies, cancer, etc. There are always multiple opinions, and each and every patient is different.
This is just my experience, but my primary tumor was deep in my left lung, the biopsy of the lymph node was enough to determine the type of cancer. That meant they were able to stop at the lymph node, rather than going deeper and into the lung; IE. less risk.
Hopefully you get the call for the bloodwork soon, you may want to reach out to see what's causing the holdup. Lung cancer treatments are getting more and more specialized, so the more info your providers have, the better, in my opinion.