adenocarcinoma lungs

By localsun
Posted September 6, 2008 at 11:37 pm · 12 replies
In Non-small cell lung cancer - General

hello, I am under my wife's loggin and my name is Carl and my mother just recently got diagnosed with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the lung with a metatastis to the Right humerus with a pathological fracture, she also has some suspcious lessions on her adrenal glands, they plan on doing surgery at this point to the Right Humerus with possible Cueaturrage of the tumor but it still leaves the question about chemotheuraputic agents to use and the prognosis, I have read in doctors dictation 6-9 months or longer, I am just reaching for as much info as I can get my hands on and to maybe here from somebody that has shared a situation with a postive outcome, thier sure dont seem to be all that much right now. I will keep you all posted and thanks for the open ear, take care everybody, Carl

12 replies

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By Golfer
Posted September 7, 2008 at 11:58 am

Hello Localsun,
5 years ago i was diagnosed with adenocarcinema and they took my left lung out. Chemo and 7 month of Tarceva kept me till November last year and then the Dutch doctors said: "Bye now, we give you about half a year from now!" After 2 month Pfizer came up with a trial medicin (nr PF-00299804) and that kept me not only alive but kicking upto today (and hopefully a lot longer!). For the info of pessimists: I play easily 18 holes (walking) golf a day.
Stay optimistic. Regards
Golfer

By erinroro
Posted September 7, 2008 at 12:23 pm

localsun,
There is alway hope, no matter what the diagnosis! Once they do the surgery they will know a whole bunch more and then start planning how to attack the beast! Please keep your spirits up and let us know how things are going!

Erin

By LTLCS
Posted September 7, 2008 at 12:34 pm

13+ years ago I was dx.d with Adeno. Stage IIIB, Poor Differenteated lung cancer. Mine had spread to 3 lymph nodes and to the esophagus. I underwent Chemo & radiation to the chest and low and behold I am still here and I have remained cancer free. I was 43 at the time and I am 56 now. I also facilitate an In Person Lung Cancer Support Group, and I can't begin to tell you how many of these people were told they had 6 months, 1 years, tops 2 years and these people are still here 5, 6, 8, 9 years later. These people are Small Cell Survivors and Non Small Cell Late Stage Survivors!!!!!

Best Wishes to you and your mom.

By localsun
Posted September 8, 2008 at 9:37 am

thanks everybody for the information that sounds a little more encouraging, We will just take it one day at a time and try to stay as positive as possible. Her pneumonia seems to be getting better, now if we can get her arm operated on and get her well then we can start chemo I guess, We will talk to you later and everybody take care.............Carl

By Veronique
Posted September 9, 2008 at 5:09 am

Did you have surgery? Or without surgery you have 13 years survival with IIIb?

By LTLCS
Posted September 9, 2008 at 7:15 am

Yes, I had surgery. You can read my story if you click onto my the blue letteres next to: By LTLCS.

I had my left lung removed, I did chemo & 36 sessions of Radiation and I have been cancer free now for 13 years.

I also facilitate a lung cancer support group and we have long term suvivors 6 8 10 years in my group as well that were or are stage IIIB.

For me, I went into surgery a stage IIIA, but when I came out they said I was a stage IIIB. I know 4 men who are also very long term stage IIIB LC survivors. One is a 19 year, one is a 14-1/2 year, 2 are others are 12 year, and all of them are cancer free and have been all those years.

I couldn't tell you why that is, because I have seen others Stage I or Stage II and within a year or so they are Stage IV and sadly they pass on. This is a very mysterious disease.

Warm Regards,
Connie

By Veronique
Posted September 9, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Dear Conni, your story is a fairy tale! It was really good even to read. Thank you and take care.

By localsun
Posted September 9, 2008 at 4:46 pm

what about those that dont have a thoracotomy and just receive radiation and chemotherapy? Just curious I am going to try to get my mom involved in as much support she can get. thanks, carl

By Mach1
Posted September 10, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Carl, there are certainly many, many people with mets or other factors affecting their treatment who never got surgery and who had good outcomes. A good friend of mine only had radiation and chemo and has just passed the 7 year mark. Please know that stats are historical by definition and are not a reliable indicator of your moms personal situation. Your mom is an individual with her own motivation, her own chemistry and her own prognosis. Oncolgists by nature are very cautious about diluting the message and can appear negative but you sometimes have to try and get past that. There is always hope.

By localsun
Posted September 16, 2008 at 5:15 pm

Have you guys ever heard of anyone having remission with the cancer spreading to the bone an having it in the lung, we are still waiting to do a CT of the head and also waiting to a bone scan, I have my ups and downs each day with my mom having this disease, some days I am terribly optimistic and other days I just feel king of empty. Any thoughts or advice is always appreciated, I was wandering what you guys thought of Herbal medications as adjunctive therapy? take care everybody and thanks, Carl

By Kim118
Posted September 17, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Were you treated with Platinol? I'm looking for survivors of NSCLC who are dealing with long term side effects of Platinol (Cisplatin). I am a 13 year survivor and suffer with a multitude of other health problems which I am told are the effects of Platinol. Hearing loss, coronary disease, GERD, hiatal hernia, damaged esophagus, nerve damage, chronic pain, extreme fatigue, daily vomiting, ulcers, SOB, hypertension, etc. Docs seem perplexed by me in general. I would love to hear from anyone who is dealing with similar issues. I'm being told there is no research on this subject because of lack of long term survivors. After reading your entry I thought maybe you could help me. Thanks, Kim

By LTLCS
Posted September 17, 2008 at 2:16 pm

I just updated my PROFILE but I did have Cisplatin and I had VP16 chemo's. I also had 36 sessions of radiation treatments on the left side of my chest. My left lung was removed so that's why we did the radiation in that area as to be sure we got it all. I was staged a IIIA when I went into surgery 13+ years ago and when I came out they restaged me a IIIB because my cancer had spread to lymph nodes and to my esophagus.

At this time I am dealing with heart issues (read my PORFILE) ALL the doctor's have told me that my heart problems are radiation related and the cause of my heart problems. Other then for the Myxoma turmor in my left atrium. This is NOT related to any of my treatments.

I was told by 7 cardologist that chemo doesn't do half the damage to our hearts as radiation does. They all have there opinions, some say it's chemo some say it's not, some day it's radiation, etc., etc., And as we all keep hearing, everyone is different. Chemo can also cause lukeima down the road and that's one reason they check our blood on a regular basis. For me, I guess at this stage of the game I am just happy that I have had 13 good years here on earth. Sure I have some health issues, and no some of them are NOT FUN, but I do the best with what I have and I do pretty darn good at the young age of 56. (smile) Some days are worse then others but I truck along pretty good, and for the most part you wouldn't know I am a lung cancer survivor or a heart disease patient unless I told you.

They also thought I had GERD, but I don't. And yes my hearing is getting worse and yes they told me at the time of chemo that my hearing may suffer some. I did during my treatments, but then it got better again, but the last 2 years it appears to be getting worse. I HATE to say it, but in my case I honestly think some of what is going on with me is age related. (OY)!!!! LOL!!

I also have a damaged esophagus but then again my cancer had spread to my esophagus and they did remove it off there and that has caused some problems for me, but nothing I can't live with. But I also have had 4 open heart surgeries and having tubes down your throat over and over again causes problems too. But, again for me it's nothing serious and doesn't really cause any major problems. I haven't had to live on oxygen at this time sats are 96 and going strong so for a one lunger. So all and all I'm am blessed and/or lucky. But I am ONE GRATEFUL LUNG CANCER SURVIVOR having lost my dad, mom & sister all to lung cancer.

I have to try and get my picture here, but if you want to see what I look like you can go over to www.lchelp.org and look up ConnieB, that's me and my hubby and that picture was taken last year at this time at the Lance Armstrong Pres. Summit. I'll TRY and get a picture up here, but I'm not too good at doing that kind of stuff. (sigh)

Warm & Gentle Hugs to All,
Connie

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