Where does it originate

My mother was diagnosed with lung cance non-small cell, a couple of weeks ago. The Dr. says that it has spread into the lymph nodes in her chest and under her arms, possibly into a rib. ( Wasn't sure just saw somethin on the rib). He actually never said that the cancer started in her lung, just that he thinks it did, due to the fact that most of the cancerous nodes are located on her right side. He never gave a clear answer whether or not the lung actually had cancer. No tumor was detected. His only explaination was that perhaps a node was covering the original cancer site on the lung. That he couln't say for sure that the lung was involved, only that it didn't look quite right. Is this possible? Should we get a 2nd opinion, or am I reading something into his explaination that I shouln't. I don't know anything about cancer, but would'nt this be Lymphoma???? Any advise or any simular stories would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Sherrie

 

You should get a second opinion.  Doctor's are human being and they do make mistake, so you should never rely on one doctors diagnostis for something this serious.   Try to find some place where there is a team of doctors who discuss cases and treatment plans.

kzfamily

That's the problem, the Drs were working with ARE a team, the only ones in our area. The biopsy of the lymph node did test positve for non-small cell cancer. What makes us leary if that imedeitly a clinicial study was offered to her. We just can't seem to get a straight answer. I know that many factors apply and cancer isn't a open and shut case, but there just seems to be too many variables. She was a smoker for 40 years, I just want to know is it possible that the lung looks suspicioius due to the history of the smoking and that the cancer could have started in the lymph nodes instead of the lung. I have researched the net and haven't seen any other cases as of yet quite like hers that the dianose is lung cancer. It just doesn't seem like everything is quite clear. Maybe I'm just over thinking, but I'd rather be safe that sorry.

Thanks for any advise

Sherrie

 

My brother who is 38 years old was diagnosed in july of this year and they told him that he has stage 4 nsclc  and that the primary was lung that had metastisized to the lymphnodes and rib and spine. like yourself it was very hard to get answers but you need to keep asking questions and take notes. get second opinions if you're not getting straight answers. My brother was also offered a clinical trial drug with chemo treatment, and as of his second chemo treatment his cancer had shrunk by 40% and the cancer in his lymphnodes, ribs and spine had dissapeared. We keep praying he can beat this and we also pray for everyone having to deal with terrible desease but keep in mind that people do beat it everyday. it is said that 50% is staying  positive and 50% is treatment. Stay positive and ask lots of questions and take care of each other.

also they never used the word tumor with my brother, the paper work from the test results indicate a "mass"

 

On 9/28/2009 canadiens wrote:

My brother who is 38 years old was diagnosed in july of this year and they told him that he has stage 4 nsclc  and that the primary was lung that had metastisized to the lymphnodes and rib and spine. like yourself it was very hard to get answers but you need to keep asking questions and take notes. get second opinions if you're not getting straight answers. My brother was also offered a clinical trial drug with chemo treatment, and as of his second chemo treatment his cancer had shrunk by 40% and the cancer in his lymphnodes, ribs and spine had dissapeared. We keep praying he can beat this and we also pray for everyone having to deal with terrible desease but keep in mind that people do beat it everyday. it is said that 50% is staying  positive and 50% is treatment. Stay positive and ask lots of questions and take care of each other.

Check out this book for more info on Lung Cancer type, diagnosis and treatment available.

www.lungcancerclaims.com

Best wishes,

V

 

On 9/28/2009 canadiens wrote:

My brother who is 38 years old was diagnosed in july of this year and they told him that he has stage 4 nsclc  and that the primary was lung that had metastisized to the lymphnodes and rib and spine. like yourself it was very hard to get answers but you need to keep asking questions and take notes. get second opinions if you're not getting straight answers. My brother was also offered a clinical trial drug with chemo treatment, and as of his second chemo treatment his cancer had shrunk by 40% and the cancer in his lymphnodes, ribs and spine had dissapeared. We keep praying he can beat this and we also pray for everyone having to deal with terrible desease but keep in mind that people do beat it everyday. it is said that 50% is staying  positive and 50% is treatment. Stay positive and ask lots of questions and take care of each other.

Thank you for your response. Do you know which clinical drug he is taking? We have not been told as of yet which drug she will be taking, just that it will be clinical trial. I do know that 1 of the drugs could possibly be Avistin? not sure of the spelling.

Thanks much

my brother is on a clinical trial called cediranib.

 

On 9/28/2009 Sherrie7 wrote:

My mother was diagnosed with lung cance non-small cell, a couple of weeks ago. The Dr. says that it has spread into the lymph nodes in her chest and under her arms, possibly into a rib. ( Wasn't sure just saw somethin on the rib). He actually never said that the cancer started in her lung, just that he thinks it did, due to the fact that most of the cancerous nodes are located on her right side. He never gave a clear answer whether or not the lung actually had cancer. No tumor was detected. His only explaination was that perhaps a node was covering the original cancer site on the lung. That he couln't say for sure that the lung was involved, only that it didn't look quite right. Is this possible? Should we get a 2nd opinion, or am I reading something into his explaination that I shouln't. I don't know anything about cancer, but would'nt this be Lymphoma???? Any advise or any simular stories would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Sherrie

 

I believe they can tell it is lung cancer from the biopsy, the lung cancer cells are distinctive.    I have a team of doctors also and we asked to start with a clinicial trial that looked good.   There's nothing wrong with that and they are free!    We started with Tarceva plus Avastin and it took my tumors down to about nothing.     We dropped the clinical trial because of concerns about the Avastin (it can cause dangerous internal bleeding and it was not being determined that the Avastin was helping the Tarceva).   Second opinions are always good according to my doctor because they can make you more sure if both doctors say the same thing.   Or, maybe you have a doctor who missed the boat.   It sounds like you need to clarify what your doctors are saying exactly.  Several of my family members go with me to dr. consultations because they help me to understand all that was discussed.   We talk about it later.  I know I go out of there confused about 1/2 of the thing we discuss.     I'm just not a medical person, hardly every been sick until this time and sometimes they need to define words -- I'm just too ignoranat of the medical world.   Also, the patient is usually a bit too emotionally involved to think as well as he/she could otherwise.  I'm having to learn, however.  Hope this helps.

 

On 9/28/2009 Sherrie7 wrote:

My mother was diagnosed with lung cance non-small cell, a couple of weeks ago. The Dr. says that it has spread into the lymph nodes in her chest and under her arms, possibly into a rib. ( Wasn't sure just saw somethin on the rib). He actually never said that the cancer started in her lung, just that he thinks it did, due to the fact that most of the cancerous nodes are located on her right side. He never gave a clear answer whether or not the lung actually had cancer. No tumor was detected. His only explaination was that perhaps a node was covering the original cancer site on the lung. That he couln't say for sure that the lung was involved, only that it didn't look quite right. Is this possible? Should we get a 2nd opinion, or am I reading something into his explaination that I shouln't. I don't know anything about cancer, but would'nt this be Lymphoma???? Any advise or any simular stories would be most helpful.

Thanks,

Sherrie

 

Sherrie,  I forgot to ask if they did a pt scan so they can see where all the cancer is located.     They feed you sugar water with something added and the cancer cells gobble it up, and the scan sees that "something added."    

Sherr