Changing Hospital Trust

Hi Bob

To be honest your story baffles me a lot.

From my understanding from what I have read, you believe you have had lung cancer symptoms for up to 3 years. You had two clear CTs and then had a third where by you were diagnosed with SCLC prior to Christmas. I think you said it is not getting particularly worse and have not had any treatment since being diagnosed. This does bode extremely well for SCLC to have had it for 3.5 years and not had any treatment.

Rather than changing hospital, I would suggest getting a second opinion on your diagnosis if I were you and see what they recommend.

Hi Bob

I am appalled that your Oncologist hasn't discussed the treatment options with you. They are duty bound to determine treatment (which can include doing nothing) within 62 days from the referral.  My Oncologist moved heaven and earth to get my SCLC chemo/radiotherapy combo started asap and discussed absolutely everything with me at each stage. SCLC is known to respond well to chemo.

Yes the Oncologist has the final say but in discussion with the patient. If I was you I would contact the Oncologist to raise your concerns and ask what the treatment plan is. Best way to get to Oncologist is to speak to his/her secretary (the hospital switchboard will be able to put you through).

Keep fighting to get the answers you need and deserve.

Kegsy x

Hi Kegsy,

I think I have had the conversation about treatment and I fit in the no treatment category as he thinks the chemo will cause me more problems with my blood counts which is too risky. I did accept this at the time but recently found the information which shows some trusts are much more likely to give chemo with sclc than other trusts. The differences are huge and can't just be due to the fitness of the patients. I will try and call the secretary in the week. Maybe she will be able to advise on moving trusts?

Gina, I am baffled with this too, it does not make sense to me. I did ask about a second opinion a while ago, but I was told the biopsy would have been analysed by two doctors and it was highly unlikely that they would have got it wrong. Although the first two ct scans were clear I suspect that there was something suspicious for one of the doctors to order a repeat scan.

Thanks for your replies,

Bob