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Just read a post by Mittzer - Rare NSCLC. I read the replies and it sounds similar to the type of LC I have. Slow Growing. Limited to Lung and mediastin, node. DX feb 06. Chemo only. How is this type diagnosed. Marie
BAC stands for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. The pathology sounds confusing and I think often a person can be diagnosed with BAC "features" (I think that means that their tumor shows some things in common with BAC but seems to be showing up primarily as, say, adenocarcinoma).
I lifted the following text from the website of Memorial Sloan Kettering:
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BAC has certain pathologic and clinical features that distinguish it from other lung cancers. Approximately 3 percent of all lung cancer patients have what are called pure BAC tumors, but overall about 20 percent of an estimated 135,000 non-small cell lung cancers diagnosed each year possess some BAC features. BAC tends not to metastasize, but rather to spread within the lung causing symptoms such as shortness of breath and sputum production. Chemotherapy usually does not work as well for people with this type of lung cancer as it may in other types. BAC is increasing in incidence and it is more common in women and in individuals who never smoked.
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The context of this information is about how targeted therapies like Tarceva seem to be showing promise in treating BAC type cancers. Although it was a press release from 2003, so there is more recent info.
There's a link related to the use of Tarceva on CancerGrace. If I'm not mistaken, Dr. West is considered an expert in BAC type cancer. You could read up on what he has to say, including this: http://cancergrace.org/lung/2008/04/29/tarceva-for-bac
Hope that helps!
Amy
LCA
Mariet,
My husband's lc was predominantly BAC. The eminent surgeon, Dr. Harvey Pass, said that if you have to get lung cancer, this is the best type to get since it's very slow growing. My husband, a Stage 1 B, had surgery and adjuvant chemo. He is now 2 yrs. NED and he had quarterly scans for 2 yrs. Wishing you a lifetime of good scans as well.
Hi Mariet,
I just joined today. I also have BAC lung cancer. My lower right lobe was removed last year in July. How are you doing now? Where do you live? Linda
Hi, How are you doing after your surgery and how often do you have scans. Did they get all of it, I also had surgery nov of 08 , I have multi focal adencarcinoma with bac features. Everything turned out ok except one very small margin still showed some cancer, I did not have treatement as they say , you should wait and see and have treatment when really needed as not to waste it on a very small mm nodule. So that is where I am at, getting a scan every 3 months.
diane
I also was diagnosed with BAC. A solitary pulmonary nodule about 1 cm showed up after my lumpectomy (BC) last fall, but it didn't change on CTs. I had it removed, BAC, lobectomy on May 1, 2009. I have my first followup CT August 3. I too was told that there is no treatment (besides surgery) for the stage 1a. I did have AC chemo for the BC, not the LC.
Hugs and prayers!
n
Does any one have stage 4 BAC? That is what my sister has....she just started her 1st round of chemo, we all are so confused...
Praying like crazy,
Teresa
I have stage III BAC (apparently pure BAC) dx 7/2008 - inoperable because of its proximity to my heart and involvement with the mediastinum lymph nodes. Did 5 months of carboplatin/taxol which stopped the growth in its tracks. Am presently using Tarceva to keep it at bay - started in January 2009. Latest CT scan shows tumor progression. Tarceva is retarding growth but not stopping it. Will continue with Tarceva for another 3+ months before we make decisions on what to do next. Because of the heart, radiation is not one of the options. Am left with the opinion that chemo does arrest the progress and Tarceva does slow it down.
Donna
I have a T4 BAC in the mediastinum. The first tumor was a 10cm IIA and removed. Did chemo & radiation but the new tumor showed up. It seems to be slow growing so I am enjoying the moment.
Jim
Hi Jim
How are you doing? are they going to just watch the new tumor and see what happens.. Is there anything they can do for it.
I get my next scan middle of Aug.
My prayers are with you.. You have a good attitude.
Hugs
diane
Diane,
Just enjoying every moment as only a cancer surviver can. CT scheduled for November. Thank god BAC is a slow grower.
Hugs
Jim
well thats good right.... keep me informed and glad your doing good...
hugs
diane
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