small cell lung cancer 10cm tumor found back of right lung survival rate

Hi Whitey

I was 53 when I was diagnosed with extensive but 'limited' SCLC back in Aug 2011. (limited means it hasn't spread beyond the lung).  I had 3 months of both chemo and radiotherapy treatment, and in late December 2011 was advised that the cancer was 'stable' i.e no sign of any active cancer. I have not had any treatment in the interim 6 years and so far have remained 'stable'. I currently have 6 monthly check-ups.

Treatments for SLC have and are becoming more effective, as many of us can testify.  She does need to give up smoking, not only for the obvious reason but also because smoking narrows the veins which limits the effectiveness of chemo.  SCLC responds well to chemo so she needs to give it the best chance to be effective.

A SCLC diagnosis  is no longer an automatic death sentence. When you see the specialist, ask if there are any trials that she could be signed up for.      

I hope this helps, and I wish her the best possible outcomes.

Kegsy

My mother was diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer in April 2016 with a large tumour just a bit smaller than 10 cm that they could not remove as it was too near to an important vein and was in lymph nodes on the opposite side.  We had some emergencies like impromptu visits to a&e with bloated faces and the potential of stents needed to be fitted to allow for breathing.  Having had chemo, radiotherapy to the lung and pci we are 2 years on and there has been no treatment and no change but it has not been mentioned as being stable.  It has not been easy and it is not cured but we live with it and try and do as much as we can.  React to every change quickly and seek advice as and when you need to from Macmillan nurses and the chemo ward and if in doubt visit the doctors.  My mother has had many colds and aches and pains which we have had checked out quickly so that they don't turn into pneumonia or spread of cancer and ct scans for pains have turned out to be clear.  We thought the worse and all people react differently but as already said - things appear to have moved on and information on the internet seems to be out of date but never lose sight of making the most of time together!!!  I would say read as much as you want to be fully armed with what to look for and react as and when necessary.  

I hope this helps as it is scary and you never really accept what is going on but you do calm down as it moves along in time.

Hi kegsy

So pleased I found this forum and in particular your story , my husband was diagnosed with limited Sclc last July , finished combo treatment of chemo/ radiotherapy in December then had prevention radiotherapy to brain Jan 7 2018 , he has had some awful side effects this last 3 weeks but after his 3 monthly check at oncologist he confirmed that he had somnolence syndrome caused by radiotherapy to brain , he was prescribed steroids and anti acids and he is so much better , no one talked of somnolence syndrome and it’s effects so was a very frightening 3 weeks , it’s so inspirational to see that you are surviving SCLC you have given us both hope so thank you 

Hi Myshell

Sorry that your hubby has had a tough time but pleased that he is now feeling much better.  I too had the preventative radiotherapy to the brain but sailed through it; which for anyone facing treatment for SCLC shows that we all react differently to the whole treatment process and there is no 'one size fits all'.

So glad my journey so far has provided  you both with a ray of hope. I do sometimes feel that I am starting to sound like a stuck record in terms of posting about my survival so far. I just feel that this site can be very negative, especially for the newly diagnosed who are looking for hope and the possibility of extra time with loved ones.

I wish the best possible outcomes for you both.

Kegsy

Kegsy 

I for one so pleased and relieved to find your post and I agree some times the posts on here are negative especially regarding SCLC! Posts like yours are inspiring and good to see especially to newly diagnosed patients. My husband was up walking the dogs today and apart from a dry throat possibly caused by the steroids? He is doing well , can I ask was you on steroids and for how long , we just worry that the extreme fatigue might come back once he stops the steroids. X

Hi

I have to own up here to being very naughty (and stubborn); I hated having steroids so didn't take the prescribed steroids and anti-sickness tablets during the preventative radiotherapy to the brain.  I would have started to take them if I had experienced any side  effects.

Speak to your specialists regarding the steroids; they may agree to start to wean hubby off the steroids.

Kegsy

Thank you for replying. We have recently found out it has spread to her lymph nodes. With chemo and radio life expectancy is 6 to 9 months. Without treatment is 3 months. She is in a lot of pain at the no it's and we have no option then to try n start the chemo. A shock to us all but praying the chemo will give her longer and less pain. 

Hi Whitey2018.   We!! You asked so here is my tale of woe from 30/12/17.

Went in Oldham Royal with pneumonia right lung ---.Kept in for tests ect  .Shadow at top of right lung after x ray and  C.T. scan. Told Lung Cancer 12 cm in size( my reply  when can I rtn to work ha ha  ).  It  took a day for the penny to drop.

Further tests /scans and just had  this Monday 2nd chemotherapy. Going forward with chemo and a clinical trial of concentrated radiotherapy this I'm told as I have. SCLC  which is not operable also will benefit other people as well as my self. The trial goes with the original prognosis of curable . My attitude as a 63 yr old HGV driver is to KILL THIS  BEAST and return to work asap. I have had  great support from the MacMillan nurse and good advice on the 08088080000  sometimes one needs to talk  about how you feel ect .Also they are very good at forms for claiming payments from the D W P  ect. There are  many areas of this web site to explore and a wealth of good inormation. Pleas scroll down to the bottom of the the home page to find down loads of leaflet books on all subjects on be.macmillan.Again please take the attitude of  LIVING WITH NOT THE OTHER / Shout at the beast tell it you are going to rid the filthy from your self i do everyday Go for it  day by day  . pchad 

My wife will be 62 in August. She has never smoked, but has been diagnosed with cancer in her left lung. A tumour 10cm has protruded forming a lump under her left armpit. She has been offered radiotherapy to shrink the tumour, and maybe chemo and immunotherapy, but has so far rejected these, because she does not want the side affects, as the oncologist says she has months not years. Can any one help us please? I have read on these pages that people survive longer.

Hi Miskondibe

Sorry to hear your wife is not well.  I can understand your wife's thinking. I have been there. I found the book "Being Mortal" bu Atul Gawande helpful.  I was unsure about taking immunotherapy and it took me a while to come round to it. I wanted to be well if my days were numbered and not "drugged up" and enduring side effects. But I had a change of mind but I was only going on immunotherapy.  To be honest I too could not do chemo or radio therapy and all the side effects that go with them. I would rather quality time than quantity of time with my loved ones. 

I have no idea on survival rates - I find they don't really help as no one stands by them and I read recently about a guy in the US who is suing his oncologist because he was told he wouldn't survive beyond two years and he is still alive 10 years later but now penniless as he ran down his savings over the two years he thought he had left to live!  So ....

Take care and just give her time to process it all.