I was diagnosed with stage 1A Non-Small Cell Adenocarinoma BAC on July 23, 2003. I had the VATS surgery and had my lower left lobe removed. All margins and lymph nodes were clean and clear. In July of 2005 two lesions appeared in my right lobe. One in the upper lobe was 5 mm and the one in my lower lobe was 1 cm. Before July 2005 I did not have any contrast with my CatScans and when I did these lesions appeared. I have had CatScans every 3 months and have been stable. Last month, March 18, 2009 there seemed to have been some small growth in the lower right lobe (perhaps from 1mm to 3mm, depending on who is reading it). What I am wondering and hoping is---could this be a false positive or could it take 4 to 6 years for growth to occur in a BAC tumor. Thank you for your response. I am delighted to have found this discussion group.
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how slow is slow when it comes to BAC tumors?
- By mazel
- Posted April 26, 2009 at 12:15 pm · 25 replies
- In Non-small cell lung cancer - Stage I
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Targeted therapy Cancer Surgery Tarceva Avastin Lung cancer
25 replies
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- By Chum
- Posted April 26, 2009 at 1:10 pm
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Sounds like it might be a difference in machines. There is very little chance that two different machines, read by two different people, or scans done on a single person who might have been slightly moved - could be judged to be different by 1 or 2 mm. When I was scanned before my surgery, the scan showed that my nodule was 2.0 cm. (versus 2.4 judged from an x-ray). When they cut it out an measured it, it was 1.6 cm. That was four mm different! I would not worry (of course not - it's you not me LOL) about 1-2 mm. Wait about three months (worrying every day of course - but not that much) ands have the scan done again on the same instrument and read by the same radiologist.
The average doubling rate for adenocarcinoma is 181 days - don't know about BAC - but 4-6 years to not even double seems like at worst it is a slow growing tumor that would get you in fifty years or so.
Courage
Chum
- By mazel
- Posted April 26, 2009 at 9:13 pm
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My Dear Chum: Thank you so much for replying. I am also hoping that it is nothing. My oncologist has me scheduled for a CatScan with contrast on May 18, 2009. I am hoping that it turns out to be nothing and that I have had those nodules or lesions since my original diagnosis of May 15, 2003. These lesions did not show when I had CatScans without contrast (2003 and 2004). The minute I had contrast there they were but they have been stable all this time. Please keep in touch with me. It is very comforting communicating with someone who understands. When is your next CatScan?
- By Vickie52
- Posted April 26, 2009 at 9:28 pm
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Maybe you could ask for oncologist to do a Pet Scan - mine trades off from cat scan to pet scan. I just went through receiving the dreaded phone call that there was a small change and fluid in my lung but after doing a cat scan it's not there anymore. Also, because of my kidneys they use a special contrast that you might check into. Prayers are with you and try to stay positive as that is so so important.
- By Chum
- Posted April 27, 2009 at 9:35 am
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Mazel,
I'm at the "yearly" ct scan stage. I celebrate my NED status every December in NYC. I go for the scan, get the results within an hour and "traditionally" (been going on for several years) have lunch and a glass of champagne with a dear friend at some posh restaurant in NYC.
Courage
Chum
- By sojourner
- Posted April 27, 2009 at 12:29 pm
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I don't have the definitive answer to How slow is slow but when I was diagnosed with Stage III BAC in July 08 my inoperable tumor was 1.3 cm. It has not changed at all after five months of carboplatin/taxol and then 4 months of Tarceva. I asked the oncologist how long before diagnosis did he think I had this tumor, in other words, how long did it take to get to the 1.3 cm point. He stated that he didn't think it was any more than a year at most. My big questions too was how slow is slow - what does slow growing mean? I don't think I have the answer at all but I do now mine is now non growing. The point of the Tarceva is to keep it where it is.
It is relatively easy to take the wait and see approach when the scans are being done every 3 months.
God Bless you.
Donna
- By mazel
- Posted April 27, 2009 at 10:13 pm
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My Dear Vicki52: Thank you for replying to my question. BAC Non-small cell Adenocarinoma lung cancer does not light up on a PET Scan. I have had 4 Pet Scans to see if any other type of cancer was in my body but nothing lights up. I have a great oncologist and feel that he is on top of things. I was having CATScans every 3 months and when there seemed to be growth he ordered another one in 5 weeks. Thanks for responding. I hope you are doing well.
- By mazel
- Posted April 27, 2009 at 10:18 pm
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My Dear Chum: Your celebations sound wonderful. How many years since you have been diagnosed? Since I am 6 years plus out from my diagnosis I celebrate every moment. I also lost my brother-in-law and sister-in-law from lung cancer. Neither one of them lasted more than a year after their diagnosis. I feel very lucky to not only have survived this long but to have had the opportunity of this being a wake-up call for living each day.
- By mazel
- Posted April 27, 2009 at 10:24 pm
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Dear Sojourner: I am confused. Why were you diagnosed with Stage III Lung Cancer when your tumor was only 1.3 cm. My tumor was 1.8 and I was staged at 1A (no nymph node involvement). My oncologist wants to see whether there is any growth in the 5 weeks that I have had the March CATScan. He wants to keep Tarceva as a last resort since there are not too many drugs for the BAC lung cancer. How are you doing with the Tarceva. They say that if you get a rash, then the drug is working. Hopefully the drug is working for you. Good Luck.
- By sojourner
- Posted April 28, 2009 at 12:53 am
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I believe my staging was based not on the size but the fact that the tumor is inoperable because it involves a main bronchus and is closer than 2 cm to the point where the trachea (windpipe) branches into the left and right main bronchi, but does not involve this area. It is my understanding that in my case it is too close to the mediastinum for them to be able to anything for fear of damaging my heart. Radiation was not an option, Avastin was not an option.
Tarceva seems to be keeping it at bay and I'm thankful for each day.
- By linnea
- Posted April 28, 2009 at 9:12 am
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My history is similar to yours. I was dx in april of 2005, BAC IB. Lower left lobectomy followed by adjuvant chemo. My very first scan following chemo showed a suspicious area and I had scans every three months until last summer. It is hard for others to imagine how stressful this was--never a period of NED in which I could let down my guard. Last June the nodules they were following were large enough to biopsy and it was confirmed that my cancer had spread.
My BAC is the mucinous variant (very resistant to treatment) and my initial tumor was quite large--5 cm. These two things may make my situation very different from yours. At any rate, if what you are looking at is recurrence (and it could very well be inflammation instead), it is obviously very slow growing.
On a positive note, should it be recurrence, I am involved in a phase one clinical trial now that I have had a beautiful response to. I just passed my four year mark, and though I now have stage IV, I feel great. Let us hope they continue to make new discoveries in the treatment of lung cancer. Best of luck.
- By Chum
- Posted April 28, 2009 at 9:45 am
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Mazel,
My life started anew on November 25, 2004 (when they cut out the beast). Never quite sure whether I should use the October 25, 2004 date or that one. On October 25 my family doctor gave me a "senseless, wasteful" x-ray and the journey began.
Courage
Chum
- By Jim08
- Posted April 29, 2009 at 8:43 am
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Mazel,
My understanding of the way a CT scan works is like a spiral cut ham.
So... the degree of accuracy is the thickness of the slice.
I believe the spiral is written on the CT scan specifications
Jim
- By Stewart_SYTSTP
- Posted April 29, 2009 at 9:43 am
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Hi mazel,
Look at it positively, it is good news that your 5mm and 1cm lesions stay stable for more than 4 years. You are NOT facing any imminent threat to your life.
From what I've read I understand that you (and your doctor) have not yet deployed any targeted therapy drugs to contain/suppress them. So even if they are further diagnosed to have grown a little bit now, you still have these drugs to fight them !
Recommended "Risk Readiness Positioning" (what I've read when I encountered my BAC this Feb) :
Don't worry before further diagnosis is available - just keep yourself at an INERT state and maintain your inner peace. When the diagnosis is available, go into an ALERT phase and actively take positively steps to fight them if warranted.
Cheers,
Stewart
- By mazel
- Posted May 1, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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My Dear Linnea: Thank you for your response. What type of clincial trial are you in and where. You are a very courageous person and I wish you all the luck. I have been in three clinical trials also but I have no idea whether they helped prolong my life or whether it was just (which I'm grateful for) pure luck. Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.
Best - Mazel
- By mazel
- Posted May 1, 2009 at 3:47 pm
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Hi Stewart: Thank you for your reply and advice. I am due to have another CTScan on May 18, 2009 which will be 5 weeks from the last one I had. I am in total denial and I'm hoping that it is inflammation or some other false positive nodule. I will know more after that date. Good luck to you.
All My Best - Mazel
- By Bravesu
- Posted May 2, 2009 at 2:59 am
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Mazel,
I had about 3cm size tumor removed in March via VATS. My rib is a bit sore yet! We met with an oncologist due to the tumor close touching the pleura (lining of lung) This made the dx a IB instead of IA for me. So now I am on adjuvent chemo. Plan to return to work regardless, of the side effects. Not going to let this control me. I am doing what it takes to fully recover...eating right, exercise and communication with family and friends. Which all is supportive. Not to mention the healthcare team.
Good luck with your journey!
Bravesu
- By mazel
- Posted May 4, 2009 at 2:19 pm
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Dear Bravesu:
Thank you for responding. Good luck with your journey. Please keep in touch and let me know how your are doing. It takes about 3 to 6 months for the ribs to stop hurting. I could not sleep on my back for about 4 months and had to sleep in a chair and then I was fine. Once in awhile (after 6 years clear) my left lung would have a spasm for about a minute or two.
Take care and keep up the good work.
Mazel
- By Bravesu
- Posted May 15, 2009 at 5:49 pm
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Hey Mazel,
Thanks for your reply. Just wrapped up Chemo Treatment #2...no picnic!
Anyway, I was inquiring about seeing my last lung x-ray. Looks like some fluid is in the lung, so the oncologist ordered another x-ray to compare it with. Not sure where this is leading to!?! Hope nothing. Two more Chemos to go...half way there !
Hope your situation is clear! Hang in there!
- By mazel
- Posted May 31, 2009 at 3:58 am
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Hello to my fellow companions:
Good news. To bring you up to date. I saw my oncologist on May 18, 2009 and the 1cm nodule looked like it had grown by 4mm and changed shape. He referred me back to my surgeon (with the golden hands) and I am delighted to say that I will be undergoing surgery this Thursday, June 4th to remove the 1.4cm in my lower right lobe and the 7mm in my upper right lobe. I am so grateful that they are doing this surgery. If you remember I had my lower left entire lobe removed in July of 2003.
I am elated that I am going to undergo this surgery. As many of you know, BAC lung cancer is multifocal so if it is in one lung, then it usually appears in the other. They are still not sure what the nodules are except my surgeon showed me that the l.4cm nodule has become more solid and even if it is not full-blown BAC he told me that even inflammation is a precursor to eventual cancer. I feel quite positive and blessed to be able to undergo surgery again and will keep you posted as to my results.
I want to thank everyone for their support and hope that everyone knows that you have to be your own advocate and be relentless when it comes to getting the best treatment you can to live a longer productive life.
Stay strong and thank you again.
Mazel (which means luck!)
- By misself
- Posted May 31, 2009 at 8:08 am
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I had my upper Right lobe removed on 4/24/09.My tumor was 1.5x1.8 on pet&ct.Path report confirms,stage 1a,no lymph node involvement.I wish I knew the answer to your question.I think the others have given good answers and support.I send you mine also(support) as a new member.You all encourage me as I developed Atrial Fib as a complication pst surgery.I landed back in the hospital %/14-5/22 but am on the mend.Hope to get a Port & begin ^ treatments of Chomo by the end of June
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