Lung cancer and metastasis of the spine

Dear SamJG

Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line. I am delighted to hear that you are doing well after treatment for lung cancer.

Initially being told that you have terminal diagnosis to this recent information must be difficult to process. Even when the news is good some people find that they need additional support and a place to talk about what has been happening. If you haven’t already you may find counselling (talking therapies) helpful. You can access this via your GP or you can self-refer via this link Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression. Some local cancer support organisations can also refer people for counselling, but this may only be available for a certain time after treatment. For local cancer support services you can search what is available on the in your area part of the Macmillan website.

You said that the doctor told you if the cancer hasn’t grown after 5 years, they have cured the lung, and you asked if this is possible. You did not mention if the lymph and spine are also clear. As we do not have any access to NHS records, we are unable to comment on any information about scan results. We would suggest that you speak to your doctor again or a Clinical Nurse Specialist if you have one so that you are clear on what this information means. It is important that you get the chance to ask any questions that you may have. This still applies even when the news is good.

You may also like to ask about the five-year time frame. The most comprehensive information I can find about this is in the following link – Understanding Cancer Prognosis. It is from an American website but much of the information is relevant in the UK too.  In very general terms if a cancer reoccurs it is most likely to do this within 5 years. For this reason, if someone is cancer free for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that they are cured.

Treatment advances including immunotherapy mean that in some cancer, like some types of lung cancer, survival rates have dramatically improved. Please do talk to your own healthcare team about the treatment that you have had and your own treatment response so that you have all the information that you need.

Hopefully you have been given good information about living well after your cancer diagnosis and managing treatment side effects if you have any. On the Macmillan Support Line, we are available every day from 8am to 8pm to talk through any questions you may have about these things. Please see the contact details below.

The World Cancer Research Fund also has Cancer Prevention Recommendations which apply to most people, including those who have been treated for cancer. It includes for example, where possible, eating more wholegrains and vegetables, being physically active and limiting alcoholic drinks.

There is also support from people who have had cancer in our life after cancer forum or from the organisation mission remission. This type of support and sharing with others who may have had a similar experience can be helpful in processing your own situation.

Best wishes,

Penelope, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref/ FH

Thank you for all of the information. Very 
much appreciated ,