Lung cancer, surgery or radiotherapy.

Hello Bilko2010,

Is there any reason why you think "the team" (presumably your consultants?) favour radiotherapy?

Unless there are underlying reasons which make surgery less suitable for you, it is usually considered to offer the best long term outcome. Have you been told what the extent of proposed surgery on your lung is?

I had surgery to remove my right lung just over 10 years ago (I also had chemotherapy afterwards as a precaution because, when the lung was examined after removal, some cancer cells were found in a nearby lymph node). I went into hospital on Monday, had the operation Tuesday and was home on Sunday, so not a long stay.

If you have any questions about surgery that would help you decide feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer.

Hello excavator, thank you very much for the info I think I may have misunderstood them. I'm going to have another chat with the surgical team. I'll let you know how it goes. Very helpful. Thanks. 

Hi' Bilko, I had 80mm bowel removed last year. Three week ago I had 8mm removed from my right lung. On both occasions along with the support from my family. I chose surgery. In my humble opinion when they cut it out it's gone, end of. Just my two pence worth.

• Hi Jagman. Thank you very much. So good to hear from people who have been in similar situations. 

Hi excavator,

I had surgery to remove the top half of my left lung due a cancerous nodule. Like you some cancer was found in a lymph node. I have had one round of chemo (of 4 recommended) unfortunately I was really sick and nauseous afterwards and ended up in hospital for 4 days, The initial chemo I was on was called cisplatin with vinorelbin  they are now recommending carboplatin with vinorelbin which they say will be less harsh on my system. I was wondering what chemo you had and what were the side effects.

Thanks, 

Hello Holmelacy,

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad reaction to your first round of chemo and hope that you've now recovered well from that.

I had cisplatin and vinorelbine and the side effects were quite unpleasant but nothing like yours. I do know of several people transferring from cisplatin to carboplatin because the latter is known to be less agressive and this could be a good option for you.

I hope it goes well.

All the best,

Derek.

Hello Bilko

i was also offered surgery or radiotherapy for a nodule on my right lung. When the surgeon mentioned taking not just part but possibly the whole of my right lung I decided with family support to go for radiotherapy. I go to Australia once a year and I feared being unable to take any more long haul flights due to possibly needing oxygen. I’ve never regretted going for radiotherapy. I had 20 sessions of which 5 were Sabr and 15 radical. No problems following the treatment. I’d urge you to get more information such as what stage the nodule is and whether it’s small cell or non small cell and anything else you can find out about it so you can make an informed decision.

All the best

Denise

Hello Denise, thank you for your helpful message. I going to have another chat with the consultant team, & will get all the info I can before making a decision.

All the best 

Bill 

Hello

I was given the opportunity to have radiotherapy over surgery in September last year. My lung cancer was called a lesion and was 2.5cm upper left lung and was diagnosed as non-small cell adenocarcinoma. I spent a weekend researching the pros and cons of surgery and radiotherapy and chose to have the SABR radiotherapy. SABR radiotherapy is only given on early stage lung cancers of 3cm or less. It is given in concentrated doses of 3-8 sessions every other day, unlike conventional radiotherapy which is given over a period of six weeks or so every day.

The surgery would involve the left upper lobe removal, which I felt was too invasive. I had a long chat with the oncologist who specialised in SABR radiotherapy and he said the success rate for SABR on lung cancer versus surgery was no different. So it was a no brainer. With surgery comes a list of risks and complications which I was not prepared to take for early stage 1 lung cancer as I live alone and very independent, and quite frankly I did not want to be an invalid for, what can be, months.

My treatment of SABR radiotherapy began in late November last year and consisted of 8 sessions every other day for two weeks, the last one being 15th December. Side effects where minimal and almost non-existent apart from a reduced appetite. My first CT-scan follow up was last March, three months following SABR, and the oncologist was very pleased to tell me that I had a good positive response to treatment and the lesion had shrunk by 50%, because of the good response they did not need to see me again for another follow up for six months, which was early September. Again another positive response with further shrinkage.

The consultation radiologist told me that radiotherapy, either SABR or conventional, can take up to 18-24 months to take full effect on killing tumour cells and, looking at my CT scans, he said the SABR has been successful.

I am 74 and before the lung cancer diagnosis I was very fit and healthy, I have always exercised, cycling and hiking, and eaten a healthy diet since my teens, and I can honestly say I was back to feeling fit, healthy and normal again within days of finishing my treatment and my lifestyle was not interrupted at all. 

Obviously it will be your choice what you decide to do regarding treatment, but I thought I would just let you know of what my experience was like.

Best wishes, and keep in touch with us all on this forum.

Ann

Hello Ann. 

Thank you for sharing your experience with radiotherapy, it was really helpful.  It's great to be reassured that there are so many good people out there.

I am hoping to make my mind up in the next few days, once I have had a chat with all concerned

All the best 

Bill