Living with lung cancer - Introduce yourself & come say hi

I wasn’t aware that targeted therapy was so prevalent. I will ask at my next appointment but if not done, won’t request it. If I have a reoccurrence, would have it then just to see. But heck, I’m already 73.

I didn’t have an oncologist and my surgeon took out a 1.5cm tumor, tested modes and margins and everything was clean. So I didn’t do any DNA evaluation - didn’t even know to ask the question then. But the truth is I watched this one in annual ct
Screenings go from 6 to 14mm over four years. So if I were to see another one, I won’t have surgery again. Therefore I don’t care about the dna 🙂

I did have a biopsy but not sure if they did genetic testing. Is it possible that they wait for staging to do that. I had nothing show up in PET Scan and all nodes removed during surgery were negative. So how important is it that it be done now? If I ever have a reoccurrence, I suppose it could be done then?

@spikeb1- Good morning. Did you have a biopsy? Perhaps call the surgeon's office that did the biopsy and ask if genetic testing was done. Your sample should still be around and they can still test it. That's how mine was done.

Merry

@spikeb1- Good morning. Did you have a biopsy? Perhaps call the surgeon's office that did the biopsy and ask if genetic testing was done. Your sample should still be around and they can still test it. That's how mine was done.

Merry

I would like to give hope to lung cancer patients. I was diagnosed in 2017 and am still here and plan Christmas with my family. I was given first Tarceva and now taking Tagrisso. Thank you.

I see many references to genetic mutations. I had a left upper lobectomy a year ago but there was no mention of genetic testing. My stage was 1a.

I am having surgery in Jan 2024 for a 13 mm typical neuroendocrine tumor. Dr. said will probably remove 10% of left lung. I’m female, 77, walk 30 minutes minimum at the Y on indoor track 5x a week, do another 30 minutes on rowing or elliptical. I was told it will be robotic and probably discharged two days after surgery. I live alone and am considering employing a caregiver. I understand we are all different, but am interested in a guesstimate of how many days I may need someone to stay with me.

Hi again @loriwt, I'm glad you found us. There are certainly other members here with gene mutated cancers; EGFR, ALK. Many gene mutation lung patients are found at later stages. Were you diagnosed at a late stage? Did you go straight to the retevmo, or did you have other treatments/surgery?