stage i now what

Joe
Hi Joe, Welcome sorry you have to be here. I also was stage 1A NOMO, and had VATS on 9-23-10, lower right lobe was removed. The nodule was 7mm them grew to 11mm so they decided it needed to come out. Squamous cell. I had a follow up ct on 1-17-11 and it was clear, and my next ct will be in July. I didn't require chemo or radiation as it was caught so early. This is the standard treatment for stage 1a. I hope this helps. Lori

Chemo or no chemo?
I was also diagnosed with an adnocarcinoma with BAC tendencies stage 1-A in 2006 and after a VATS removal of my middle lobe of the right lung I had no chemo. Since then I've done a little reading. Some hospitals will do some testing on the removed tissue to try to determine just how aggressive the cancer appears to be. Usually no chemo is recommended when cancer is caught so early, but there are a few exception so ask your doctor. Even if no chemo is recommended, aggressive followup is needed. By that I mean CAT scans about 4 times a year the first two years, then twice a year for two years, and then either a CAT scan or xray every year for life. Your doctor may have a slightly different schedule but whatever it is, follow it. If there are other nasties in the area, they are most likely to pop up the first two years. If they do, then you and your doctors can decide if they warrent more surgery or chemo at that time. Chemo has a lot of side effects so it is not recommended unless it is obviously needed. The research I've read says chemo does not buy more time if you have it before symptoms show up. I have read posts by folks that insisted on having chemo and they were given it. Oncologists can give you the probablities based on other folks' history, but there is no way they can tell you exactly what will happen to you. Statistics can't predict what will happen to any individual. In my case the pulmonary oncologist told me to keep doing the followup, see a pulmonologist if I had concerns about breathing, and don't come back to her unless the cancer returned and caused problems.

catcon49 said:

Hi Joe
I had stage 1a adenocarcinoma in the lower right lobe no lymph node involvement surgery 9/08. I had no chemo. Dr said I didn't need it. I also tested positive for the BRAC 1 mutation that causes breast and ovarian cancers, so the doctors went easy on scans. I recieved a chest xray 6months after CAT Scan 6 months after that the cycle repeated for the 1st year 1/2. Then I went to CAT Scan yearly. Just had my 2 1/2 year CAT Scan. It was very good nothing in the lungs. So now I don't go back for 1 1/2 years. The oncologist that I saw agreed with the no chemo. Surgeon told me I had a 85 to 90% chance of being cancer free in 5 years. Oncologist said she would go as high as 95%. I do aerobic exercise and go to the gym regularly. I walk 1 1/2 miles at least 3 times a week. I hope this helps you, if you have anymore questions let us know. Good luck and God Bless

joe
Forgot to mention I am also a postal worker.