Lots of questions re lower lobe removal

golf_gal
golf_gal Member Posts: 69
edited February 2013 in Lung Cancer #1

Daddy was stage 1 at initial onset.  Treated with cyberknife, followed by chemo, but shortened by two treatments. 

The initial size of tumor was Stage 1.  I am trying to find out what  less than than 3 cm  staging would be.  He is now a candidate for lower left lobe removal. I believe they will do wedge on the table, and get it checked and then remove lower lobe all in one op.  If taking out lower left lobe, why would a wedge be necessary when PET shows the size. i think2.8 x 1.8.   I know they want clear margins, but I would think if it were near edges of lower lobe, it would be much bigger "IN THE RED" light upon PET.  His Dr. is one who doesn't like VATS because he likes to see, feel, touch., etc. but survival rate from what I have read is survival rate is higher with VATS.  Perhaps open removal was required with large tumor.  My assumption. 

 My question.  Since he's under 3 cm is he still stage 1?   The size of the tumor is 2.7 x 2.8 cm.  What stage is this? 1a?  or does reoccurrence cause that to change?

 I've searched google, not much luck.  CNS was always the "go to".   I know nothing about staging of lung cancer and the adjuvant treatment, which I would assume he would get...(my guess).    What can you share with me regarding recovery, rate of success of still being here in 5 years?  I would also like to hear of experiences of recovery, and what to expect regarding both types of removal. 

This group is a wealth of information.  I don't know what I would have done without the support I received while going through chemo for metastatic rectal cancer at the colorectal area of this site.   Just a simple sentence of encouragement goes a LONG WAY. 

But now the focus is on dad.  Can anyone here share regarding their experience?  I posted before, he's been NED for 2.5 years.  Cyberknife x 3 ... 90 min each, followed by Cisplatin cocktail.   He  weighed 138 at time of  taking a CT of abdomen, they just caught the lower lung by accident, but ....thank God someone was really looking.  He's now 186, 6'1" so weight is great.    Thanking in advance.  I thought I posted this already, but when browsing I did not see it.  So, if this is a double post, my apologies.

Sincerely, golf_gal

eveny person makes a difference.  distance sucks when your family lives across the country .  i need to move!    :)

Comments

  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #2
    VATS vs. reg. surgery

    It might be a good idea to have a second opinion on the VATS possibilities. Sometimes a tumor is in the wrong place for a VATS surgery to work, but the recovery from VATS surgery is much much faster than regular surgery. I had a spot on my middle right lobe that warrented surgery. My doctor recommended I see a VATS surgeon who did the wedge surgery to see what he was dealing with. If he was sure it was lung cancer he was going to take the whole lobe. At the time of that operation he thought it was a breast cancer met from a previous breast cancer, so he closed up. My incisions fit under bandaids.  I was able to jog around my son's track within a week and a half of the operation. Further testing proved I had lung cancer and the right operation for that includes removing the lobe. That time my largest incision was 4.5 inches. Recovery took several weeks. Recovery from standard surgery requiring a 9.5 inch incision often takes over a year. Success in skilled hands is the same, but recovery time is VERY different.

    My surgeries for lung cancer were in 2006. Because I was stage 1 and because of my cancer type, no chemo or radiation were recommended. Every cancer is different and we don't get to choose what kind we get. Good luck!

  • Xiaowang
    Xiaowang Member Posts: 17
    #3
    cabbott said:

    VATS vs. reg. surgery

    It might be a good idea to have a second opinion on the VATS possibilities. Sometimes a tumor is in the wrong place for a VATS surgery to work, but the recovery from VATS surgery is much much faster than regular surgery. I had a spot on my middle right lobe that warrented surgery. My doctor recommended I see a VATS surgeon who did the wedge surgery to see what he was dealing with. If he was sure it was lung cancer he was going to take the whole lobe. At the time of that operation he thought it was a breast cancer met from a previous breast cancer, so he closed up. My incisions fit under bandaids.  I was able to jog around my son's track within a week and a half of the operation. Further testing proved I had lung cancer and the right operation for that includes removing the lobe. That time my largest incision was 4.5 inches. Recovery took several weeks. Recovery from standard surgery requiring a 9.5 inch incision often takes over a year. Success in skilled hands is the same, but recovery time is VERY different.

    My surgeries for lung cancer were in 2006. Because I was stage 1 and because of my cancer type, no chemo or radiation were recommended. Every cancer is different and we don't get to choose what kind we get. Good luck!

    Do you have Kraft mutation

    Hi, three,

     

    how are you?

    i have so called b1 stage with kras mutation. Do you have it? Thanks.

    Xiaowang

  • Xiaowang
    Xiaowang Member Posts: 17
    #4
    It could be bigger than 3 cm
    My my friend could not have a surgery. He took 7 chemo and 10 years Iressa. He is alive there.
  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #5
    Section on staging lung cancer here on the ACS website.

    Hope this link helps http://cancer.org/cancer/lungcancer-non-smallcell/detailedguide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-staging

  • catcon49
    catcon49 Member Posts: 398
    #6
    dennycee said:

    Section on staging lung cancer here on the ACS website.

    Hope this link helps http://cancer.org/cancer/lungcancer-non-smallcell/detailedguide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-staging

    hello

    I had stage 1a lung cancer remove via VATS Surgery 9/2008. I am 4 1/2 year survivor.  Recovery is a little longer with open thoratic surgery than VATS. But if the cancer is caught early thats is great. Staging will not be completed (I think) until after it is removed (unless they can't remove it for some reason). I have no lung function loss as of now and feel good. 

    Hope this helps and God Bless.

    cathy

  • TLBones
    TLBones Member Posts: 1
    #7
    Every patient is different of

    Every patient is different of course.   I had a similar size tumor in my upper left lobe also a stage 1ish tumor.   I had vats wedge resection without issue in 12/20/12.   If your dad is a candidate for this procedure I'd definitely pursue the possiblility over a more invasive surgury.   Visit another surgeon or two and then take stock of your choices. 

  • dennycee
    dennycee Member Posts: 857 Member
    #8
    TLBones said:

    Every patient is different of

    Every patient is different of course.   I had a similar size tumor in my upper left lobe also a stage 1ish tumor.   I had vats wedge resection without issue in 12/20/12.   If your dad is a candidate for this procedure I'd definitely pursue the possiblility over a more invasive surgury.   Visit another surgeon or two and then take stock of your choices. 

    I agree.  There are fewer

    I agree.  There are fewer complications post op with the vats and recovery time is easier.  With the full surgery they cut you from near the spinal column to around the front.  Ribs are broken (cut) and moved out of the way.  Sometimes they start with the vats and have to move to the full thoracotomy.  

  • biggles1955
    biggles1955 Member Posts: 15 Member
    #9
    Lower Lobe Removal

    Golf -gal,

    I was diagnosed with Base of Tongue Squamous cell carcinoma in April 2012. 35 x Rads and 3 x Cisplatin, clear PET/CT scan  30th October but 10mm hot spot on left lung.

    After initial consultation with Thoracic Surgeon, I opted for a second opinion because he would not perform VATS, for the very same reason as your Dad's doc. After consideration and a lot of googling I went back to the original surgeon. ( He has a first class reputation). Prior to surgery he explained that initially a frozen wedge resection would be carried out, and biopsy performed whilst I was "on the table". He would then decide how to proceeed. In the event he elected for lower left lobe removal along with asociated lymph nodes.

    I was admitted to hospital at 0700 Monday 4th February and discharged at 10.00 am Friday 8th February. I honestly expected a much longer recovery period. The reality is that I am exercising normally already Tumour was a solitary pulmonary nodule deep in the parenchyma of the lower left lobe. Stage T1A ( defined as smaller than 3.ocm)N0Mx.

    I think it pays to go with the most experienced surgeon you can find, it would seem that there is no substitute for the see, feel and touch approach.

    I wish you dad all the very best..

    Take care

     

  • cookie24
    cookie24 Member Posts: 6
    #10
    I had my right lower lobe

    I had my right lower lobe removed in July 2012 by VATS. I have a incision about 3" on my right side and 2 little ones on my back. Recovery takes several weeks and my breathing is getting better but I lost 15% capacity.I had stage 1.I was told removing  the lobe I would be cured. So far so good.

  • cookie24
    cookie24 Member Posts: 6
    #11
    I had my right lower lobe

    I had my right lower lobe removed in July 2012 by VATS. I have a incision about 3" on my right side and 2 little ones on my back. Recovery takes several weeks and my breathing is getting better but I lost 15% capacity.I had stage 1.I was told removing  the lobe I would be cured. So far so good.

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