Stage 1B Adenocarcenoma NSCLC: Odds of recurrence?

Did they do a Petscan or a CT scan to catch the recurrence. That’s what I’m worried about most. Recurrence that hasn’t been seen.

@whahoo, I first heard from my oncologist that I was ALK positive. I knew I had blood/liquid biopsy with an outside lab, FoundationOne. I followed up with them directly, and received a copy of the full report.
I take a TKI that is specific to ALK, it’s called alectinib. I’ve had some side effects, but I’m managing well, and I’m thankful for each day.

@whahoo, I hope that as time goes on the fear of recurrence lessens for you. It is certainly an unknown, and your oncologist should be able to give you a better idea of what your future may hold. Knowing what happens if there is a recurrence may help.
I’m stage IV. I have CT scans on a regular basis, and I know that my cancer will recur. It helps me to know that when the cancer comes back we have a plan in place.

I'd also like to share that the pharmaceutical companies have programs to reduce the medication costs even if you have insurance. I qualified for zero cost meds when covered by my employer's health insurance and now while I'm on Medicare (Part D).

The following might be helpful --or might be much more than you want. The title of the paper is "Update on Adjuvant Treatment in Resectable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Potential Biomarkers Predicting Postoperative Relapse"
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9816492/

Thank you

It sounds unnerving, but I wish you the best on your journey. Thanks for sharing. I have a followup for nodules/ground glass over the winter. Have been in the "watchful" mode.

@whahoo, how are you doing? What did you learn at your recent oncology appointment? Any decisions about treatment choices?

Oncology appointment went well. I have EGFR exon 21 mutation which is appropriate for Tagrisso TKI medication. However, it’s cost prohibitive (Medicare Part D). So we will process paperwork with AstraZenecs for assistance. If assistance is denied, then no treatment (no chemo, no immune therapy). We’ll just watch it. Also discovered that this mutation likes to travel to the brain. Will consider a MRI. Not comfy being stuffed in a tube. Thanks for asking.

I was diagnosed with EGFR exon 19 in 2018. According to my research chemist friends, the Exon number identifies the particular protein molecule that has mutated. We truly live in amazing times! After my lung cancer metastasized to my brain, Tagrisso was prescribed for me in late 2020.

I'm still working and in an AstraZeneca program where our household demonstrates we pay at least 10% of our net income on medical expenses. Pretty much every medical-related expense counts, even dental work. Even if this particular program is not an option for you, there are others. Definitely talk to your Oncologist about paying for Tagrisso. Almost no one can afford this medication, or any of the other new, targeted medications, without some sort of assistance.

And I get a brain MRI every 3 months since the surgery. I think I'm up to 11 or so by now. When I first went in, I felt a bit claustrophobic. I find that closing my eyes makes it OK. It's always the same "song", so I almost fall asleep by now. The good part is no radiation! It's just magnets.

Best of luck with your therapy. It helps me to look at all this as another adventure!