We met with a surgeon today to discuss that particular option.
And I got a little more info on what kind of cancer it is--adenocarcinoma--tumore less than 3 cm, with lymph node involvement on the same side as the tumor.
The surgeon said that it is possible for lymph nodes to light up on the PET scan without actually being involved. He said a mediastinoscopy could be done to sample the nodes to determine this. But, even with that invasive procedure they might not get anything and it would be inconclusive.
The doc said that while they could take the tumor out, if the lymph nodes are involved then the cure rate is very low regardless of the surgery.
This hit my dad considerably hard--he might as well have punched him in the gut.
Not happy!
That mood constrasted with the chirpy appointment secretary.
They scheduled him for some breathing tests (?) and a follow up.
Tomorrow we go to see the oncologist. My dad thinks that he will get better news, or at least similar news with a little better attitude.
He reminded me that when he originally found he had Stage IV throat cancer 2 years ago, they gave him a 40% chance--he switched doctors/hospital and the new docs said that if the other folks could only give him a 40% chance then they were still working in the early 90's because these new guys had gotten it up to 70%.
So, with tomorrow's visit we will begin to decide what path to take for treatment. And if surgery will be included in that treatment.
I would appreciate any experience that folks have had with mediastinoscopy, having an upper lobe removed--what was the surgery like, recovery time, etc.
I am concerned about the surgery. I am wondering if the energy expended to recovery would be better spent enduring the chemo and radiation. Especially since statistically the surgery might not make that much of a difference in the long run.
Sorry, for all the questions. We're still pretty new at this and so far things are working out. I took notes on my laptop during the visit and helped to ask a lot of questions. The one thing I did not like about the surgeon is that towards the end of the visit he seemed to be addressing me more than my dad--that bothered me a lot.
Thanks again for all the responses so far--very helpful!
Peace!
Kim