PCI

fairfax
fairfax Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Lung Cancer #1
Hello. I am a 60+ year old grand mother. I was diagnosed with small cell last August. As the cancer was confined to the right lung, I had the lung removed, and commenced chemo treatments as soon as I had recovered sufficiently from the surgery. I just finished my chemo two weeks ago, and now am facing PCI. I would be most interested in talking with anyone who is going through this treatment, or just thinking about it. It frightens me to the quick.My oncologist tells me that he has had only one patient who didn't fare well,, but she is now a vegetable. You can respond to me here or use my e-mail address - [email protected].

Comments

  • marcy
    marcy Member Posts: 58
    Not to sound dumb or anything..but..What is PCI?
    Just curious. I'm new to this stuff. My dad has small cell to right lung. Surgery was NOT and option. Was told.."can not do surgery on small cell" He also as in liver. But...just want to know what PCI is. Thanks
  • fairfax
    fairfax Member Posts: 3
    marcy said:

    Not to sound dumb or anything..but..What is PCI?
    Just curious. I'm new to this stuff. My dad has small cell to right lung. Surgery was NOT and option. Was told.."can not do surgery on small cell" He also as in liver. But...just want to know what PCI is. Thanks

    I"m sorry, Marcy, I guess I have become too familiar with it. PCI is Prophylactic Cranial Irradiation. As my small cell was confined solely to the right lung, when it was removed there were no "overt" signs of cancer remaining. Evidently, small cellhas two sites of refuge, the brain and the spinal cord, which are treated as a preventive measure. Just the idea of this brings back memories of the 40's when lobotomies were performed almost willy nilly!!