Small Cell Lung Cancer: Let's connect
Most of the discussions about lung cancer has been about Non-small cell lung cancers. There are many sub-types of this that are included. But there is another type of lung cancer that needs to be discussed and that is Small Cell Lung Cancer. This aggressive form of lung cancer most commonly occurs in smokers. It usually starts in the breathing tubes (bronchi) and grows very quickly, creating large tumors and spreading (metastasizing) throughout the body.
Symptoms include bloody phlegm, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Treatment includes surgery (for small tumors) as well as chemotherapy, sometimes in combination with radiation therapy.
Lung cancers cells are sometimes classified by where they tend to grow.
There have been huge breakthroughs in lung cancer research of late.
Please join @margot69 and I in this new disussion.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Lung Cancer Support Group.
We saw a thoracic small cell specialist on Friday and Pop will start Chemotherapy with the 3 cocktail meds. They include : atezolizumab (Tecentriq), atopside (Toposar),and carboplatin (Paraplatin). He is treated with all on the first day, then less the other two days . He goes back in 3 weeks for 4 sessions. I would love to hear from anyone who has gone through small cell lung cancer which has metastasized.
@joangma- You must feel like a new person. Might you tell your story, what exactly is the treatment like, the machine and side effects? This is a relatively new procedure here.
they told me i will continue to get xrays of the lung for a few more months just to see thast the cancer is gone and, the area is shrunk up to a very small size. the U.W. WISCONSIN HOSPITAL IS DOING THIS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED NEW LIFE.
@joangma- What a happy day for you! What will be your life now with follow ups!
@popkorhn, that is good that further testing gave clarity that the tumor is in fact a neuroendocrine carcinoma. Many patients with NETs have shared that it can be a long journey to get a proper diagnosis. And knowing that it is neuroendocrine, you'll get the right treatment.
You may be interested in connecting with other members with NETs in the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuroendocrine-tumors-nets/
These discussions may be of particular interest:
- Newly diagnosed with NET in liver https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/newly-diagnosed-with-net-in-liver/
- Anyone treated for NETs at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/patients/
- Typical Carcinoid Tumor in Lungs https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/typical-carcinoid-tumor-in-lungs/
- Welcome to the NETs Group! Come say hi. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/welcome-to-our-new-group/
the va sent me to u.w. for the treatment of small lung cancer they have 1 of3machines in the world called a pet scan. it was the size of my thumb nail. i was told after you quit smoking get a xray to check your lungs so i asked my doctor, he still wonders why i asked for the xray. boy am i glad i saw that on tv. 5 treatments later the area has shrunk up and all cancer is gone. the va is now doing the follow up on the xrays, and i go in again in 2 months. that is one of the best hospitals in the world at thgis time. that new machine is wonderful 1-in japan 1- las vages, 1- uw MADISON. was i lucky. tell everyone you can about this machine, it looks deep in your bodtytissue, and able to find anythig. take care
@richcolleen- Colleen- Finding out that you have cancer is certainly time to be shocked! It's like being punched in the stomach and more. It sounds as if you handled this very well and are now bring treated. Please keep us updated!
@joangma - It's been awhile since we've spoken. How are you? I don't remember if you wrote what type of lung cancer it was or is it a metastasis of prostate cancer?
You might want to get a 2nd opinion from MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Jacksonville. Dr Vu there has been a great resource for me as a 2nd opinion dr.
Thank you so much. I am actually the wife, B, and my husband is Pop. As I replied to Coleen, we are just getting started and being seen at Moffit on January 22nd but researching any other group for a second opinion. I plan to reach out to Florida Cancer group here in Tampa where we live to see who else we can get an appointment with. I have read that having a secondary cancer in the liver, with lymph nodes involved would be considered a 4th stage cancer which is fast growing. This is why I am trying to get him in ASAP to get the right treatment to extend his life. From what I understand, through my reading, is this can be controlled but not cured. At the age of 74, we both know want to extend his life with some since of quality . Again, Thank you so much for these links. I will check them both out. B