@carlies, I do know other stage IV patients who have had SBRT. The type of lung cancer that I have is treated with a targeted therapy (pills). The cancer eventually starts to find its way around the therapy, and we'll often see nodules that start to pop up throughout the body. Sometimes, if the number of nodules is low, a patient will continue to take the targeted therapy while the tumors are successfully treated with SBRT. We generally want to stay on the same therapy for as long as possible, because we know that someday we'll run out of treatment options. The longer we can stretch out one treatment, generally the better.
Hi ...just saw your post. How are you doing. Have you had any side effects? Other treatments? I was diagnosed two years ago with multifocal lung cancer and had something in both lungs. They did VAT surgery on RUL first and last May I had VAT surgery on LUL. I had SBRT (3 sittings) on a different nodule in the RUL in August (3 months after surgery) and within two months I developed increased breathing problems - that is I was panting when just getting up from the sofa. I have had shortness of breath from the beginning of diagnosis (my oxygen levels drop with exertion) but this panting was a significant increase. Pulmonologist put me on Prednisone and that took it away. My diagnosis is radiation-induced pneumonitis (they would have told you that was one of the risks) . Have you had any side effects? Wondering how many people here have experienced this side effect. I have been told they cannot give me immunotherapy now.
I had SBRT treatment twice. First was for two tumors (one in each lung) and two years later for a tumor in my right lung. Both times I had pneumonitis 90 days after treatment. Breathing was very difficult with exertion, I wound up sleeping upright to breathe. Prednisone fixed the problem after months on the drug but caused diabetes that had to be managed. Also had adverse affects on my heart. I’m curious why you cannot have immunotherapy now, what caused that? I have a new tumor emerging and was hoping immunotherapy might be an option.
Hi ...just saw your post. How are you doing. Have you had any side effects? Other treatments? I was diagnosed two years ago with multifocal lung cancer and had something in both lungs. They did VAT surgery on RUL first and last May I had VAT surgery on LUL. I had SBRT (3 sittings) on a different nodule in the RUL in August (3 months after surgery) and within two months I developed increased breathing problems - that is I was panting when just getting up from the sofa. I have had shortness of breath from the beginning of diagnosis (my oxygen levels drop with exertion) but this panting was a significant increase. Pulmonologist put me on Prednisone and that took it away. My diagnosis is radiation-induced pneumonitis (they would have told you that was one of the risks) . Have you had any side effects? Wondering how many people here have experienced this side effect. I have been told they cannot give me immunotherapy now.
Thank you for your wonderful response! Yes, a shot on heart for sure. First, issue with any health issue a runner for 40 years and still moving! I’m early on with Adenocarcinoma right lung. Scheduled for 3 treatments.
I trust you are well and of course Blessed going in to your 26th year.
This support group is absolutely wonderful and I’m Thankful to have found the group!!
I’m confused about second and third round. Is this on the same tumor or it has shown up in a different area?
I start SBRT on Wednesday, I’m doing 5 treatments and from what I was told if this doesn’t work they can’t redo the same lobe a second time.
I initially had two tumors, one in each lung.
The first round of radiation was in a larger tumor in my right lung and was five days a week for six weeks along with chemotherapy.
The first SBRT was on the second, smaller, tumor in my left lung.
The second SBRT was in a third small tumor, which apparently formed while I was going through the initial treatments. At that time they did not confirm that this was malignant, but since it was new and near the larger tumor in my right lung, they suggested doing a round of SBRT. I agreed to do this, as a precautionary measure rather than go through the risk of another biopsy.
I had a scan with contrast a few weeks ago, and there is no sign of malignancy in the 2 tumors which had the SBRT treatment and both have reduced in size.
Also, the larger tumor in my right lung no longer shows any cancer.
My next scan will be in four months.
So this is a long answer to your question. I do believe that SBRT has a very high success rate. So far, I have proof of this.
I have had SBRT twice and appreciate your post. My next scan is in Oct. so if I need the treatment again your comments will help me make a decision to go for a third round. Thank you!
I’m confused about second and third round. Is this on the same tumor or it has shown up in a different area?
I start SBRT on Wednesday, I’m doing 5 treatments and from what I was told if this doesn’t work they can’t redo the same lobe a second time.
Thanks, for asking!
I did 4 SBRT treatments with follow up and PET upcoming 5 December. I continue to walk or run 2 miles every day and feel great, but just waiting on December to see a path forward.
I herniated l4-l5 with minimal invasive surgery on 30 Oct. No pain, but need to get pressure off nerve to correct foot drop.
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@carlies, I do know other stage IV patients who have had SBRT. The type of lung cancer that I have is treated with a targeted therapy (pills). The cancer eventually starts to find its way around the therapy, and we'll often see nodules that start to pop up throughout the body. Sometimes, if the number of nodules is low, a patient will continue to take the targeted therapy while the tumors are successfully treated with SBRT. We generally want to stay on the same therapy for as long as possible, because we know that someday we'll run out of treatment options. The longer we can stretch out one treatment, generally the better.
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1 ReactionI could be wrong, but I think it’s for stages one and two. I had 5 rounds and was diagnosed with stage 1.
Reading comments about SBRT… Anyone with stage 4 NSCLC who has had this?
I had SBRT treatment twice. First was for two tumors (one in each lung) and two years later for a tumor in my right lung. Both times I had pneumonitis 90 days after treatment. Breathing was very difficult with exertion, I wound up sleeping upright to breathe. Prednisone fixed the problem after months on the drug but caused diabetes that had to be managed. Also had adverse affects on my heart. I’m curious why you cannot have immunotherapy now, what caused that? I have a new tumor emerging and was hoping immunotherapy might be an option.
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Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi ...just saw your post. How are you doing. Have you had any side effects? Other treatments? I was diagnosed two years ago with multifocal lung cancer and had something in both lungs. They did VAT surgery on RUL first and last May I had VAT surgery on LUL. I had SBRT (3 sittings) on a different nodule in the RUL in August (3 months after surgery) and within two months I developed increased breathing problems - that is I was panting when just getting up from the sofa. I have had shortness of breath from the beginning of diagnosis (my oxygen levels drop with exertion) but this panting was a significant increase. Pulmonologist put me on Prednisone and that took it away. My diagnosis is radiation-induced pneumonitis (they would have told you that was one of the risks) . Have you had any side effects? Wondering how many people here have experienced this side effect. I have been told they cannot give me immunotherapy now.
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2 ReactionsI'm responding very late, and I am sorry for that. How have you done with your treatments?
I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. Thank you so much.
I initially had two tumors, one in each lung.
The first round of radiation was in a larger tumor in my right lung and was five days a week for six weeks along with chemotherapy.
The first SBRT was on the second, smaller, tumor in my left lung.
The second SBRT was in a third small tumor, which apparently formed while I was going through the initial treatments. At that time they did not confirm that this was malignant, but since it was new and near the larger tumor in my right lung, they suggested doing a round of SBRT. I agreed to do this, as a precautionary measure rather than go through the risk of another biopsy.
I had a scan with contrast a few weeks ago, and there is no sign of malignancy in the 2 tumors which had the SBRT treatment and both have reduced in size.
Also, the larger tumor in my right lung no longer shows any cancer.
My next scan will be in four months.
So this is a long answer to your question. I do believe that SBRT has a very high success rate. So far, I have proof of this.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
7 ReactionsI’m confused about second and third round. Is this on the same tumor or it has shown up in a different area?
I start SBRT on Wednesday, I’m doing 5 treatments and from what I was told if this doesn’t work they can’t redo the same lobe a second time.
Thanks, for asking!
I did 4 SBRT treatments with follow up and PET upcoming 5 December. I continue to walk or run 2 miles every day and feel great, but just waiting on December to see a path forward.
I herniated l4-l5 with minimal invasive surgery on 30 Oct. No pain, but need to get pressure off nerve to correct foot drop.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions