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.

linda10 | @linda10 | Sep 18, 2020

In reply to @bluelagoon "@linda10 @merry @sakota @meka @alamogal635 Linda- sending my prayers, as well! And, my amazement. I hadn't..." + (show)

Bluelagoon Thank You! Yes, there are options out there. Hopefully you will never need them but nice to know they are there.

linda10 | @linda10 | Sep 18, 2020

In reply to @alamogal635 "@linda10 You’ve got my prayers and good vibes coming your way." + (show)

@alamogal635 Thank You! I appreciate it♥️

bluelagoon | @bluelagoon | Sep 17, 2020

@linda10 @merry @sakota @meka @alamogal635 Linda- sending my prayers, as well! And, my amazement. I hadn't even heard of what you've experienced, but good to be in the know since I also had a wedge section on my left lung, albeit 2 years ago April. I'm amazed and heartened that treatment like this exists these days.

linda10 | @linda10 | Sep 17, 2020

In reply to @linda10 "@merry@sakota@bluelagoon@meka Hi all. Have been back and forth to the Mayo since September 1. CT showed..." + (show)

Ok. Just heard from my Drs office. They want to do 8 treatments now. Bring it on as long as the insurance approves it.

alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Sep 17, 2020

In reply to @linda10 "@merry@sakota@bluelagoon@meka Hi all. Have been back and forth to the Mayo since September 1. CT showed..." + (show)

@linda10 You’ve got my prayers and good vibes coming your way.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 17, 2020

@linda10- staple lines seem to be a weak spot. Next month will be 23 years! Yay us for sure!

linda10 | @linda10 | Sep 17, 2020

In reply to @merpreb "@linda10- Darn! At least we have SBRT now! My scar tissue from SBRT finally stopped growing..." + (show)

@merry This is in an area of the staple line from a previous wedge section on my left lung. Last year I had SBRT on a staple line from a previous wedge section on my right lung. The area on the right is doing well. I’m very thankful they’re still able to treat us. It’s been 9 1/2 years for me and I think you’re double my time. Go Us!!!!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 17, 2020

@sakota and @bluelagoon- Just checking in! Hope that you are all well. @linda10 has a recurrence so let's band together, if possible, and send her all the help that we can!

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 17, 2020

In reply to @meka "Coming your way whatever you need. I go back first week of October and am very..." + (show)

@meka- I agree with Linda about having one person coordinate your treatment plans. At MGH it's my oncologist who coordinates mine but I am also in touch with my surgeon and radiologist throughout the year. When I have a meeting to go over my CT scans or MRI's my Oncologist has spoken to everyone. All three have been my team all through this. Find out from the head of the department who it should be for you, please.

You should never have had this problem. Are you at Mayo?

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Sep 17, 2020

In reply to @linda10 "@merry@sakota@bluelagoon@meka Hi all. Have been back and forth to the Mayo since September 1. CT showed..." + (show)

@linda10- Darn! At least we have SBRT now! My scar tissue from SBRT finally stopped growing so they decided not to do a biopsy.

Know that we are all here and will walk with you through all of this! I'm sure that you will breeze through this and remember to rest, rest, rest when you need to!

Is the area of scar tissue from a previous SBRT?
Merry