SABR Vs Surgery for stage 1 lung cancer

Hello Star68,

I'm a little biased and would go for surgery. I had this (right pneumonectomy) 11 years ago and so far have had no further problems at all. I was, however, stage 2a on diagnosis.

I'm sure someone will soon be along with their SABR experience, about which I don't know anything specific. 

I wish your Dad all the best for a successful outcome. If there's anything else you want to know I'll do my best to answer.

Derek.

Hi Star

Firstly, Stage 1 and no spread to the brain is very positive news.

Everyone who has survived lung cancer treatment has their own bias; I am no exception!  Back in 2011 I had radiotherapy as part of my treatment, alongside chemo.  The main benefit is that radiotherapy is a highly effective none invasive treatment that continues to work for weeks after the final session. As with all cancer treatments, there is a downside: as treatment progresses it does come with tiredness/fatigue.

A few years ago an elderly neighbour/friend was given the same choice as your Dad.  To my relief (and that of the surgeon) she opted for the Radiotherapy and absolutely sailed through 20 daily sessions.

Dad needs to discuss both options with the relevant specialist to get details of the pros/cons of each treatment.  What ever option he chooses, it needs to be a fully informed decision and taking into account his own personal health position.

Understandably biased opinions from those of us on here is probably not the best way to make such a decision?

Kegsy x

Thank you Derek

We keep swinging from one to the other on the choice of each.  Obviously surgery is gold standard treatment but his age (83 next month!) and recovery that may eat away at yet another 12 months is what concerns us.  He has been put in the list for surgery but also asked to see the oncologist in the meantime.  We're all flying to Spain on Sunday (French ATC allowing!) so will have some time as a family to look at his options.

Can I ask did you have any other lung disease before diagnosis?  Dad has COPD and I wondered if this would hinder his recovery as would his age.  How long do you think it took you to recover please?

Thanks

star xx

Thanks again Kegsy.  Dad also has incurable prostate cancer and had both chemo and radiotherapy which apart from hair loss and a little loss of sensation in fingers he really sailed through too.  However that was 6 years ago and he was younger and fitter.  As I said to Derek we keep swinging between surgery (gold standard treatment) and radiotherapy (less invasive but not as good a success rate).

One thing I am questioning is that they have said they're not 100% sure it is cancer - but presumably they say that to everyone?  He has worked in a foundry wich is a horrible dusty (metal!) environment for a large chunk of his life and was a heavy smoker for approx 50 years before giving up nearly 20 years ago.  So most probably is but the lymph nodes showed activity and the sample they took had nothing.  I suppose my concern on choosing radiotherapy is that if there is spread then lymph nodes wouldn't be zapped would they?

Thanks again

Star x

I can understand your dilemma star. I was much younger at 57 when I had surgery and was walking 6 miles at a time 6 weeks later. At that point I started adjuvant chemotherapy because they found cancer cells in a lymph node adjacent to the main tumour when the pathologist looked at the lung after removal. This presented its own challenges to keep up exercise during recovery and knocked me back a few months. 

I also had no other lung disease at diagnosis.

Kegsy is on the button, it's very difficult to decide and those of us who have had the good fortune to survive long term after treatment will naturally favour our own path. 

No doubt a good opportunity to discuss in sunny Spain.

Derek.

Hi Star,

My granddad (78) was given a similar option - radiotherapy or surgery, he was borderline fit enough for surgery but didn't want the invasiveness or the recovery time. He went for radiotherapy, no FU scans yet but he's done amazing, very little side effects just fatigue and we're hopeful that's a good sign. My granddad's oncologist (The Christie) said at stage 1 the cure rates for surgery vs. radiotherapy are extremely close if not the same - obviously different for stage 2 onwards etc. 

It's a very personal choice but as Kegsy has said radiotherapy can achieve a cure, not just surgery. I'd just be considering what complications could arise from surgery, the recovery would it be slow etc.

Katie xx

Thank you.  It's definitely the age that's the concern. He is fairly fit for his age but he's 83 and I can see him slowing just due to age ️

Hi Katie, I know we're friends off the chat but I can't find how to message you! 

That sounds really positive for your gdad.  Was is SABR he had do you know?  When does he have a FU? I see conflicting reports on success of 1 over the other but hey are quite old reports 2019 and treatment comes on in leaps and bounds as it has since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  

Sending lots of positive vibes for his FU XX

Hi Star I think I've worked out how to message you let me know if you get it xx

Thank you - just messaged x