Hi all
Diagnosed with stage 3b (T3 N3 M0] squamous NSCLC in October 2022. PDLI 90% so first line treatment Pembrolizumab every 3 weeks.
2023 I coped pretty well & had some shrinkage followed by stable. 2024 wasn’t so good, I developed colitis and was put on a high dose of steroids slowly being tapered & after 3 months resumed my immunotherapy treatments. I really didn’t feel that great during the last quarter of the year & the scan I had in January looks like it explained why. Here is the most useful paragraph:
I only had my CT scan the day before my clinic appointment, so they rushed the result through. I really wasn’t expecting the results for another 2 weeks and started off the appointment by saying I hadn’t been feeling great, giving symptoms such as itching, headaches, severe fatigue , wheezing etc. I was a bit gobsmacked when he gave the results & also a bit terrified if im honest!
I have a PET SCAN on 31/1 & results on 13/2. What does local ablative radiotherapy mean? Do you think I should be worried?
Any advise welcome xx
Hi Mandrose I am sorry to hear you have this worry. From what I have read your oncologist has requested a pet scan to make sure there isn’t spread to any other part of the body, because the ct has shown a lymph node that has grown for a 2nd time. If it is only this one lymph node then he is suggesting radiotherapy on this area.
local ablative radiotherapy Is a type of radiotherapy that works very well for NSCLC. It targets the area so doesn’t damage the surrounding healthy tissue. It is a painless end easy treatment to have, very much like having an x-ray.
It is only natural to worry, we all do it as hard as we try not too. Best to take one step at a time, get this pet scan done and see where you are.
