Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Dec 11, 2018

We have multifocal adenocarcinoma of the lung. @linda10 and @sakota.- Please join me in this discussion.

For a short explanation of this tongue twister. Briefly, Multifocal Adenocarcinoma (MAC) of the lung is a clinical entity of multiple synchronous (less than 6 months) or metachronous (more than 6 months), often ground-glass opacities (GGO) on CT scan, typically indolent-behaving cancers. There is a scarce amt of clinical data to guide treatment decisions.
This came from http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.15_suppl.e20041.

This means that more than one potential cancerous lesion, mostly ground glass, shows up at a time. For instance I had 3 cancerous lesions 10 years ago in my left lung and in the same area. They were all different sizes. They grow at different rates.

Multifocal adenocarcinoma is a very complex cancer because the medical profession doesn't know if the ground glass lesions are the primary cancer or small metastases of another primary cancer. They don't even know where they start..

Multifocal Adenocarcinoma has sub types and it's management is based on whether it's indolent or very virulent.

These are very simplistic explanations. Even doctors are confused by it and it's only been within the last twenty years that they have separated it from a Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma (BAC).

The constant recurrences are the buggers. Not only do we have to constantly face lots of CT scans but when lung cells change, which they often do, we are in terror of another virulent cancer. I presently have several ground glass lesions. And I have had many that have disappeared. It's enough to drive you nuts and PTSD is exacerbated by the frequency of these devils.

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

The nodule was malignant, so dr removed lower left lobe. Also tested lymph nodes but NO involvement, so I am now cancer free! Just got home yesterday from 2 weeks in hospital. Removing the tube in my lung was no picnic! Still waking up in the night needing pain meds. Thank you for checking on me!

REPLY
Profile picture for Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb

Good luck today. I have every faith that you will do just fine!

Jump to this post

@texasgal121- Good morning. How are you doing? I'm checking in to see how you have fared post-op and if there are any questions that I can help answer.

REPLY
Profile picture for Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb

@texasgal121- We will all be thinking of you and wish you the best! Please let us know how things go!

Jump to this post

Good luck today. I have every faith that you will do just fine!

REPLY
Profile picture for texasgal121 @texasgal121

I have several nodules but only one with ground glass opacity. Surgery on Tuesday hopefully just wedge resection.

Jump to this post

@texasgal121- We will all be thinking of you and wish you the best! Please let us know how things go!

REPLY
Profile picture for texasgal121 @texasgal121

I have several nodules but only one with ground glass opacity. Surgery on Tuesday hopefully just wedge resection.

Jump to this post

Good Morning @texasgal121! Best wishes on your surgery. Is this your first surgery for multifocal?

REPLY

I have several nodules but only one with ground glass opacity. Surgery on Tuesday hopefully just wedge resection.

REPLY
Profile picture for Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb

Hi Linda- Yayayayay! You should feel much relieved and 6 months will feel like a holiday!

Jump to this post

@merry Yes! It’s been a while since I’ve gone 6 months in between scans. Feeling pretty happy

REPLY
Profile picture for linda10 @linda10

Hello to all! Just back from the Mayo and I’m stable! Such a wonderful word.I’ve officially graduated to 6 months until my next scan. Hope all is well with everyone.

Jump to this post

Hi Linda- Yayayayay! You should feel much relieved and 6 months will feel like a holiday!

REPLY

Hello to all! Just back from the Mayo and I’m stable! Such a wonderful word.I’ve officially graduated to 6 months until my next scan. Hope all is well with everyone.

REPLY
Profile picture for meka @meka

Joan, sorry to hear about your continued health issues. Happy for you to have your daughters and grands to help with care and laughs. Energy hugs to you!! Meka

Jump to this post

Meka- How are you doing? I am so happy that you posted here.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.