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Multifocal Adenocarcinoma of the lung, continual recurrences
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.
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@sakota- Good morning Joan! How are you faring? Many of us have a multitude of diseases as a result of smoking. And there is not any difference in treatments for COPD, whether it's genetic or not. You have both squamous and adenocarcinoma cells? I'm confused.
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/alpha-1-antitrypsin-deficiency
https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/types-of-lung-cancer/squamous-cell-lung-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer/about/what-is-non-small-cell-lung-cancer.html
@sakota That is really interesting. Am going to check out the article you cited. Have had some DNA testing done through 23 and Me, but nothing like this. I am really intrigued. Thank you.
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1 ReactionI don't know how many of you have heard of alpha-1 which is a genetic condition that affects the lungs and liver. I never knew anything about it until I had some dna testing done and they said I was a carrier of the alpha 1. So I am classified as a MZ the m as being normal and the z is for the alpha. They tell me that since I was a smoker and now a carrier it increased my chances of copd . Today I read an article that being a carrier increases your chances of getting copd, adenocarcinoma cancer and squamous cell cancer. Lucky me I have all three!!!! its something to think about. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2562773/
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2 Reactions@meka! welcome back. I'm sorry that I wasn't here to welcome you back. How are you "really" doing? How's your breathing? Your friend must feel awful to have missed the service. She shouldn't feel guilty about this.Life somehow gets in the way of so many things. Tell us about your operation! Was it as bad as you thought it would be?
@meka So sorry to hear of your sudden loss and feeling your pain for not being able to get back for Services. Sending my warmest thoughts to help melt your pain- both the physical and the heart.
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2 ReactionsSo sorry it's been so long. Just keep telling folks, "still here to bitch" ! Lung healing, weather sucks, sprained back, VA already wants to do another CT on another spot that's been there, think it's changed. Want to be out walking!!! I will stop now, sorry. Still here comment came about because a dead friend died suddenly a massive stroke at 62. Had just talked to her the day before and not able to get back for Services. Life does not stop teaching!!!
My favorite time year is here, March Madness, specifically women!! Do want to say a day doesn't go by without thinking of those who reached out, reminded of courage, hope,and strength!! I will do better, thanks all, Meka
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1 ReactionHi Joan! Welcome back. Being tired is very natural. And there is nothing wrong with napping. You have to let your body tell you what it needs. I'm anxious to know what the cardiologists and pulmonologist reports will be- or rather assessment will be.
I have an appointment with a new pulmonologist on Tuesday, mine retired. I'm actually looking forward to it.
Are you walking or exercising at all? How is your breathing?
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1 Reaction@merry and everyone. been awhile since I checked in. Am heading to Mayo on the 25th of this month to see pulmonologist and cardiologist...…. both are for checkups. Then in June its time for another CT scan. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. So far been doing good, but usually am tired. Can sleep good at nite but find myself taking a nap in the afternoon. I just want my energy. I hope everyone is hanging in there, doing what you have to and keeping the faith.
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1 ReactionHello all- It's been very quite here which I hope means that things are stable with everyone, or waiting for the next test. I had my last CT a week ago Thursday and I am finally stable, again! I do have a couple of GG that have changed but they also stopped changing. If they grow then I will again have SBRT for it. How are you all doing? Can you bring me up-to-date? I know that Joan (@meka) may not be able to respond because she was operated on just short of a month ago and she has yet to check in.
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1 ReactionHi Joan- How are you doing? Is there anything that I can do for you?