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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.
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@margot. Small cell lung cancer is considered a rare cancer because about only 20% of lung cancer patients have it. Maybe that's why there are so few people responding because there are very few people on here with it.
As far as ports go, if you have to have infusion therapy then that's the way to go. I had a port. You can read up on them. But I think that you are jumping the gun because you don't know what the doctor will decide is the best treatment for you.
Please make sure that your questions are addressed. They are very important. They concern your health.
Take some deep breaths. Once your list is finished I think that you will feel more settled. More in control. Try and take one thing at a time.
I'll be thinking of you. Travel safely. Let me know what you learn when you ,have a minute.
Does your new friend have lung cancer and like to join us?
You've got this! You know that she's great and caring! You'll be in great hands! Best of luck.
It is a good idea to have a list of questions. Being nervous makes one forget to ask for needed info.
I have had 2 ports. One back in 2010 for breast cancer, which I beat. Then another one placed early last summer for SCLC. Both were placed in my chest in 2 different areas. I did not have any pain or problems. Am leaving the last one in for a while in case there is a need for more chemo later. Just have to have it flushed every 6-8 weeks. The oncology nurse also accesses the port for blood test. Makes things so much easier.
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1 ReactionWas hoping that more people would post about their experiences with SCLC. I go to see Dr. Wakelee at Stanford tomorrow and am just about over one with nerves. I do have the first appt with an Oncologist here at Sutter Gould on Friday. I need to sit down and write out my questions and hope there is time allotted to address them. Someone, who friended me off the discussion boards and has been a great support, mentioned having a port for treatments. I hadn't thought about that. Does anyone have a port and, if so, where and is it painful? 😬😬
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1 ReactionMy doctors seem to be scrambling now! All if a sudden my OCP puts in an urgent referral to Stanford. The worthless Pulmonologist will put in a referral to Stanford. I to,d my PCP my ENT Doctor out there put on one last week! I messaged my PCP yesterday about the shoulder blade pain. He messaged me back today that he would prescribe Tramadol, which I have never taken. Drugs may be an issue fir me in any treatment. I already have a list of about 14 I cannot take. I also messaged him, that should I need to see a Pulmonologist, I am not going back to the one I have been seeing. He tells me I probably won't be needing a Pulmonologist but there is another one there. Honestly, every time I hear from him there is an underlying sense of doom. He has also referred me to his church and priest. That's nice but I really don't want to hear that now! Actually, on a better note, no pain, other then a twinge in my back. Still supposed to be limited in lifting since the biopsy but I got some laundry done, bed linens changed, dusted the house and did a little dog training. Still coughing all the time but glad I had some energy and ambition! And I am trying to expand my reading to something other then the bad news about this cancer. 👍
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1 ReactionI believe they showed up on the CT but definitely on the PET
Thank you for sharing this and happy something is working for you! Some treatments seem to be working for the NSCLC but I have SCLC and hoping there is something for me. Very afraid of side effects. I have had GI issues for years and often have to use anti-nausea meds now! I have a very low tolerance for feeling ill like That. Oh my gosh! You are in India? Hiw did you see Dr. Wakelee?
@shaila1902- I just looked up the weather and time in Mumbai. It's 5:01 PM and 89 degrees. Very hot. I give you lots of credit to continue living a full life. How is your breathing? Can you tell me more about how the brain mets affect your life?
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2 ReactionsShalia, thank you for sharing your information with us. It is heartening to read of your success withGamma Knife surgery. It:s wonderful to read of your full busy life.
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3 ReactionsI have adenocarcinoma of the lung with brain mets.I was on Gefitinib for 18 months but it progressed a bit more in the brain so Dr Wakelee switched me to Tagresso since the past 2 months. Have done Gamma Knife surgery twice for the brain. But side effects overall have been minimal-some nausea-feeling tired etc but not major. I continue to live a full busy day with my work, exercise, meditation and walks-and a focus on the important things in life. I live in Mumbai India. Glad to be on Mayo Connect
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3 Reactions@margot69- I understand about the ride and wanting to be in your own home. I did that too. I have a very hard time with pain pills. They make me nauseous as hell. I get sick every time. I have to take and anti-nausea med before I take any pain meds.
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