Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

Welcome to the Lung Cancer group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
This is a welcoming, safe place where you can meet people living with lung cancer or caring for someone with lung cancer. Let's learn from each other and share stories about living well with cancer, coping with the challenges and offering tips.

I'm Colleen, and I'm the moderator of this group, and Community Director of Connect. Chances are you'll to be greeted by volunteer patient Mentors and fellow members when you post to this group. Learn more about Moderators and Mentors on Connect.

We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to other members. Feel free to browse the topics or start a new one.
Let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.

@merpreb

Spike- It's up to you. Usually, DNA will stay the same if you have the same type of cancer again. I do not know if it changes with a different kind of cancer. I've had two types of lung cancer, and there wasn't a DNA test for the first. I don't know if they were doing them in 1981.

Have you been told if you will need any treatment?

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All of the nodes removed were negative and no treatment advised. Have had 2 follow up CTs and so far, so good. 🤞🏻

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In December of 2022, I had a 2 cm tumor and an upper lobectomy was done. All lymph nodes were negative for spread. 6 month later CT was fine. Then in November 2023, I had a suspicious CT then a brain MRI, PET and Breast ultrasound. Also of which revealed stage 4 lung cancer spread to lymph nodes and breast. Treatable but not curable.
A MET marker was discovered and I am about to start taking Tabrecta. I am hoping this will prolong my life at least for a couple of years. Anyone else taking targeted therapy?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @shirleyod, I look forward to your update when you get the results of your scan. How have you been doing on Infinzi?

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My results from my CT scan on 12/15/2023 showed NO obvious findings of recurrent disease. I have had no reaction to imfinzi infusions and tolerated it very well. God is good!🙏

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I have recently had a CT scan of lung and found 3 adenocarcinomas had grown - unfortunately my previous CT scan was 7 years prior - no one informed me that I was to have annual CT scans! Anyway, met with thoracic surgeon who does not want to do surgery or anything yet. I am not sure I am all right with that. we have scheduled a next CT scan for 6 months from now. Three of the nodules are fairly large - 9mm, 11, 13mm. I know that some docs recommend targeted radiation at this point. I do plan to have a 2nd opinion. and i have a follow-up call with the thoracic surgeon this morning. I will admit i am quite fearful about lung surgery for resection or whatever.....if anyone has thoughts on this, i would love to hear them. it feels so alone & frightening.
s michaels

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@thieschafer

In December of 2022, I had a 2 cm tumor and an upper lobectomy was done. All lymph nodes were negative for spread. 6 month later CT was fine. Then in November 2023, I had a suspicious CT then a brain MRI, PET and Breast ultrasound. Also of which revealed stage 4 lung cancer spread to lymph nodes and breast. Treatable but not curable.
A MET marker was discovered and I am about to start taking Tabrecta. I am hoping this will prolong my life at least for a couple of years. Anyone else taking targeted therapy?

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How terrible. Can you share what kind of cancer your original tumor was?

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@sura

I have recently had a CT scan of lung and found 3 adenocarcinomas had grown - unfortunately my previous CT scan was 7 years prior - no one informed me that I was to have annual CT scans! Anyway, met with thoracic surgeon who does not want to do surgery or anything yet. I am not sure I am all right with that. we have scheduled a next CT scan for 6 months from now. Three of the nodules are fairly large - 9mm, 11, 13mm. I know that some docs recommend targeted radiation at this point. I do plan to have a 2nd opinion. and i have a follow-up call with the thoracic surgeon this morning. I will admit i am quite fearful about lung surgery for resection or whatever.....if anyone has thoughts on this, i would love to hear them. it feels so alone & frightening.
s michaels

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I had a 1.5cm Adenocarcinoma removed in a lower left Lobectomy in May 2023. So from someone relatively new to lung cancer, I have learned that surgeons are great for surgery. That is not likely to be your scenario, so get an oncologist asap is my thought. I would think that is who will oversee your treatment in the short term at least. I can’t imagine what value a six month hold would provide.

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@pb50

How terrible. Can you share what kind of cancer your original tumor was?

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It was an adenocarcinoma stage 1A3.

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@thieschafer

It was an adenocarcinoma stage 1A3.

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Mine was staged pT1c pN0

I just messaged my pulmonologist that I want an oncologist consult.

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@thieschafer

In December of 2022, I had a 2 cm tumor and an upper lobectomy was done. All lymph nodes were negative for spread. 6 month later CT was fine. Then in November 2023, I had a suspicious CT then a brain MRI, PET and Breast ultrasound. Also of which revealed stage 4 lung cancer spread to lymph nodes and breast. Treatable but not curable.
A MET marker was discovered and I am about to start taking Tabrecta. I am hoping this will prolong my life at least for a couple of years. Anyone else taking targeted therapy?

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Hi @thieschafer, I have an ALK mutation, and have been taking a first-line targeted therapy for 43 months now, but who's counting. That's longer than the median for this particular drug, so I'm appreciative of the science behind these drugs. Some of us get lucky and go beyond expectations, I'm hoping that you are one of those. Learning to accept that there are things that we just can't control can help, but it's not easy.
I'm hoping that you do well on the Tabrecta, with minimal side-effects. Did your doctors test your tissue from your original surgery for biomarkers, MET?

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