Just wanted to see if anyone had any information that might help decisions.
My mum (a young early 70s) was diagnosed with squamous NSCLC lung cancer earlier this year and has since had a lower left lung lobectomy.
Immunotherapy and chemo preop were not an option due to other health issues that could have prevented the operation from going ahead.
After the op we were told that the cancer had spread to lymph nodes but as far as they are concerned it has all been removed apart from possible hidden/broken off cells.
Chemo or not, 4 rounds 3 weeks apart and what feels a very long year so far an even longer one if chemo is taken. The discussions that have been had is a no at the moment as it only gives an extra 5% chance of not coming back so why would you put more recovery time etc in to this when it may not come back. Also doctor doesn't seem keen stating that they are more worried about "life threating" infections due to the chemo.
What I'm asking here is has anyone found themselves or a family member in this situation and what is the likelihood of it coming back with or without chemo.
Thank you
Hi Woz
I had an upper right lobectomy in 2022 and had the same option and decided not to go ahead with chemo. I too had done my research and decided that it wasn’t worth it. I had three years of clear scans but last year there was a small spread to my right adrenal gland. This could not be removed as it was considered too dangerous as other organs were close by. I’ve since had SABR on the adrenal gland and I’m now back to 3 monthly scans. I did have two rounds of chemo prior to the failed procedure.
If I had that time again I would probably have taken the chemo but I didn’t and don’t have any other underlying conditions. The chemo I had wasn’t too difficult to manage. Your Mum could always go ahead with it and see how she feels. I didn’t have any hair loss but some nausea and tiredness. Perhaps it would help your Mum to discuss it further with one of the MacMillan nurses that can be contacted by phone on this website.
Wishing you both all the best love Daisy 
Hello WOZ13,
I'm sorry to hear that your mum was diagnosed with NSCLC earlier this year.
It's very difficulat to get an idea of survival chances because this depends on many factors including the cancer's stage, treatment, general health and, yes, luck.
The good news for your mum is that surgery is the gold standard treatment if you're lucky enough to be able to have it.
I had my right lung removed following diagnosis of NSCLC stage T2N1M0 and it will be 12 years ago next week since I had my surgery. I was 58 years old at the time and had the same decision to make about adjuvant chemotherapy. Things haven't changed much since then as I was also quoted a possible extra 5 percentage points on the chance of long term survival.
To be honest I didn't really hesitate in taking the decision to have chemo because I wanted to throw everything at it to increase my chances. It was of course easier for me at the time because I was yonger and physically very fit.
My decision was influenced by the fact that, as Daisychain has said I decided I could start it and, if it was intolerable, stop at any time I liked. Fortunately I did finish the complete course.
As Daisychain says, it might be worth talking to one of the Macmillan nurses and a link to the info for these is below.
I wish your mum all the best whatever decision she takes.
Derek.
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-nurses
Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm
