Surgery for Rectal cancer end of March 2023. Have permanent Stoma. CT scan showed numerous nodules in both lungs.

Hi Cecelia 

Firstly I am so sorry to hear that . 

Is this the first time they have noted them on the Ct scan or the first time they told you ? Discovered mum actually had some for several years but they were quietly monitoring them in the background .

Are you suitable for targeted therapies ? Mum has successfully held back a spread in her lungs with Cetuximab. Mediastinal Lymph nodes are no longer being reported and her target tumour shrank to a cm and never grown in the ten month period after the first scan . This has given her a much better quality of life . It’s age that has stopped her in her tracks. She is just vulnerable now and the speed of growth so slow  . 

I know you have a research background and when my mum had a single node resection back in 2016 they tried to sign her up to an international research trial to monitor her and see how they develop rather than treat immediately as they said they don’t know how they behave . Her original oncologists said some lung nodules grow for a bit then stabilise for a couple of years then continue to grow . That was right at the start of her journey and wonder if the research has given them more information. I have never looked as I found it one of the harder consultations as it was actually the only time she was ever straightforward operable and  it felt like a hurdle had been put in her way . She opted for surgery . I often wondered how they got it through ethics . 

A long time ago we actually had a guy in London called Dr Ladas . He did laser surgery on these types of lung mets . When he retired no one else took over . I think there is only one remaining man in the world who does it . 

The other observation  . Some of my mum’s lung nodules and lymph nodes have been reactionary . Some stayed a couple of years then seem to have disappeared. I don’t think her current met is in the same location as the ones previously mentioned. She too has others now but I refuse to consider them mets at the size until they prove themselves to be given her history .

In terms of CEA , it was raised a bit with this recent lung met .

I take it they are too small for a Pet scan and no lymph node involvement. 
We have had people here who have gone back to chemo and the spread gone completely from the scan . But it does seem very hard to say at the small size they present now if they are in fact disease . 
When my mum started scanning they could not detect anything under .5 cm . Now it’s down to mm and therein lies the problem .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Court, sad to hear your mums had such a long journey and ongoing treatment. I did wonder if they would just watch and wait. 3 nodules had turned up on previous scan that hadn’t been there before. Trying not to jump to far ahead and keep everything in perspective. Thank you for your reply it helps because it’s hard to imagine what they might say to me. I cope better with information. Not a fan of surprises.  Have spent my life avoiding doctors at all costs, health wise. Was brought up just carry on your not that bad really. I took early retirement from NHS. Unfortunately best laid plans. Like a lot of people on this forum,

life throws you curve balls out of nowhere. It’s strange being a patient. Hopefully I’ll get some answers soon. Waiting for answers

is the pits.

Thanks again for sharing your information it’s much appreciated Court. Sending you and your mum hugs.

Hi Court, update got results from CT scan. Colorectal nurse phoned on Thursday morning. Multiple lesions on lungs. Inoperable. No Radiotherapy only Chemo to help with symptoms. See Oncologist on 16th. Quite devestated so is my husband and family.

I know I’m not alone there are so many of us. Where there’s life there’s hope. Thanks for being there for me.  Cecilia ️