Needle Biopsy

christsj said:

Got the results back on my
Got the results back on my Mom. Non-small squamous cell lung cancer. I don't have the stage yet but my understanding is if it is in both lungs it would be considered stage 4. The doc told her she has a 1 year - 1 1/2 at most, but he is not an Ocologist. Can anyone tell me what to expect from here? I realize each case is different but if I knew some of what to expect or in what order things may start happening it might be easier to get through. Pretty bummed today. Thanks for all of you being here. *hugs

What to expect
You are correct in acknowledging that 'each case is different' and that, therefore, it is difficult to predict what anyone will go through precisely. Your mom's case is a bit more difficult even, because of her age if not physical condition.

I do not mean this in an ageist way, even if it sounds like it. Rather, I am supposing that your mom's doctors will take her age and physical condition/capabilities into acount when considering what treatment, if any, to embark upon now.

And I say this not to suggest that the doctors are ageist either. Rather, they should have your mom's best possible outcomes in mind as they decide what happens next. If they think, for example, that this form of chemotherapy or that one is likely to be too much for her to handle, they are likely, I would surmise, to forego such treatment in deference to quality of life.

If, as you indicate, I think, that the cancer is in both lungs, it is highly unlikely that surgery is an option. I think I CAN say that rather assuredly, as I was told the same once upon a time, when it was thought that I had cancer it both lungs (I did not, although they eventually removed my lowest right lobe).

I had non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well, in the aforementioned lobe, and it was also squamous cell cancer. I was advised that squamous, at least in the lungs, progresses in a less aggressive fashion than other lung cancers (small cell, in particular). That is, I would, think, a good thing, relatively speaking.

Following my surgery, I was put on a schedule of chemotherapy that included both carboplatin and taxol. Perhaps these will be offered to mom. Many folks tell me they experienced nausea and other effects from these, by the way, but I did not, at least not the nausea. I DID experience instances of very low platelets and very low white blood cell counts (and this would concern docs re mom's age and well-being and quality of life).

I join others in expressing sorrow for the nature of the results. I am hopeful that, having lived this long, mom can say that she has had a long and fulfilling life with expectations for many more wonderful moments with her family and friends before she departs (as we all will sooner or later, many without what we might consider the treasured knowledge that our moments are indeed numbered and that we should spend them wisely, with ones we love, doing what we love).

Best wishes to your mom and her family.

Take care,

Joe