small-cell lung cancer

Hi Scorpio2

So very sorry that you have cause to be on here.

Please do not stress yourself about the timings of this. When first diagnosed we all think that the cancer is spreading/growing like something in a horror movie.  Rest assured this is not the case, so one or two weeks 'delay due to Christmas will not make any difference to your outcomes.

Having all the tests/scans etc is important in order to determine the right treatment plan for you and your SCLC. The plan will most likely include chemotherapy; SCLC generally responds well to chemo in terms of shrinking the cancer..

Hope this helps a bit.

Kegsy x

Thank you Kegsy that is very reassuring to know.  

I totally agree with Kegsy, had my opp last Christmas and apart from the decorations it's business as usual for the NHS  my pre-op appointment was on boxing day would you believe and operation on the 2nd Jan. so don't worry on that score. Good luck.

Hello hope you don't mined me replying to you message. I was diagnosed with SCLC in my right lung inoperable. I went for PET scan to see if it is contained, and it was. I had to wait 2 months before treatment as I had to get over the operation as they did try to remove the tumer but it was to far advanced. My oncologist said 2 months won't make a lot if difference. I started my treatment last June 2021 and the tumer showed on my 1st scan that it had trunk and the nodules are all stable. So my friend hold in there and they will give you the right treatment, and I'm sure you will be OK. 

Thanks Iamover50

Thanks Muffin Break that is great to know give me hope :-)

I saw the the Oncologist on Thursday and had my PET Scan on Friday.

The Oncologist said if it is contained in the lungs they will give me a more aggressive treatment and hope to control it, but if it has spread it will be a milder treatment still trying to control it but it will be for less years, I did ask him to be straight to the point.

I have an appt to discuss the PET Scan on 16th when he will get the results.

It is inoperable.

Thank you all for your lovely replies

Hi Scorpio2 I asked the same question how long have I got. ? He told me 5 years with treatment. I looked at my oncologist and said to him your joking I'm going to be here for at least another 10 years or more. They don't really know only if it has spread if the cancer is contained  you can go on for few more years. I'm still playing football that help with my wellbeing and in that hour playing I forget about everything. Sorry walking football exercise helps. Besides I want to see my grandchildrens grow up. Be strong positive and live life to the full ?

Hi Scorpio2

Most SCLC is inoperable as it tends not to form in distinct tumours. I saw my first x-ray and  the SCLC resembled a cottonwool ball that had been stretched out from the entrance to my lung across the top of my lung.

Without any treatment my prognosis was a few months, with treatment they couldn't predict but were hopeful.  The holy grail of survival rates is 5 years post treatment without recurrence. . This is considered to be cured..  I completed my treatment in December 2011 and am still here to tell the tale.  I was on a radiotherapy trial, so my cancer team are still monitoring me on a 6 month basis.

Lung cancer treatment outcomes is not an exact science. However I do know that in the last 11 years since my treatment many advances have been made; established chemo has been made kinder and new treatments have come on board,, and importantly, survival rates are increasing.

So please stay positive and I wish you he best possible news on the 16th.

Kegsy x

Hi Scorpio, Out of curiosity what would be the more aggressive treatment? I thought the difference between limited and extensive stage SCLC was that for the former it is chemoradiation whereas for the later it is chemo and maybe some immunotherapy. Good luck. Cheers, Patrick.