TomR4th Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Just met with thoracic VAT surgeon Dr. Robert Caccavale & he really pored over the scans, reports, etc. with us..This was the first time I really saw what was going on..We were extremely impressed with his directness & concern along with the facilities & his "professional report card", etc.. The 2 masses in the left lung are what he described as 3B - he also mentioned something about 4T or T4 but it went right over my head..Does anyone know what this means? The larger mass in lower lobe seems to be tangled up with a bronchial tube..He is recommending a "needle biopsy" asap.. I've been referred to an oncologist (Dr. Robert Fein)who works very closely with this doc & I will see him this Wed..we then determine what the game plan is: VAT surgery or other treatment options.. Am I moving along properly with this? After the lousy experience with my coronary bypass, I will endeaver to try to get the best medical professionals, procedures, equipment, etc.. Thank you for any guidance & support.. God Bless You..Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandyW Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conte ... ?sitearea= This Link will explain the T and N Staging youyr surgeon was talking about. Good Luck and keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Sounds like things are going along nicely. Keep us posted on what the oncologist says the game plan will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadstimeon Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Sounds like you are going in the right direction, let us know your game plan when you find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplelady47 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Good going Tom! Sounds like you have made your picks for your "health care team"! Once you have the needle biopsy and meet with the oncologist you will have the possible game plans! I know this waiting time is challenging but you are doing a great job getting timely appointments! Keep up the good work! Pam in FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 I am not sure why they are doing the needle biopsy. They have already staged it. Maybe they want to confirm the diagnosis with physical evidence. It might aid in the choice of chemo treatment, but I am not sure. Needle bipsies are often time inconclusive because they don't get a good sample and they are reluctant to keep poking the needle into your lung. There is a remote risk of seeding the cancer into your chest wall as the sample is extracted from your tumor. There is a possibility that your lung will collaspe when the needle is extracted, but this is not too big of a deal. they will be prepared for it. They will insert a chest tube. I have had 2 FNAs in the past and I had a collasped lung each time. It was more of an incovnenience than anything else. They wanted to keep me in the hospital overnight, but I declined. I told then that I would go to the ER room at the local hospital the next day to have the tube extracted from my chest. Don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikkala Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Hi Tom, I am glad the docs seem to be moving things along rather quickly for you. Waiting around is the hardest. Hoping you get answers and can start kickin some cancer butt. Take good care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Glad for you that surgeon knows how to do a VAT. If you are able to get that type of surgery , you have less pain and get back to normal quicker. Keep us posted. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blaze100 Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Hi Tom, Yes, you are lucky you get a VAT. I think Don has a good question as to why the needle biospy, wondering why they want to do a needle biopsy too. Maybe with VAt they need to know exactly what's what before they go in. Sounds like you are in good hand. Hang in there Tom, this part is the hardest. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Sounds like you are moving in the right direction and moving well. You definitely want to talk with a medical oncologist now that the cancer is diagnosed. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.C. Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 Tom, All is moving fast and you have a good team on your side. Keep us posted, please. Good luck Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 My mom had VATS, she said it is not too bad. NOthing like the bypass she had She had the VATS first, then bypass 2 years later. Keep us posted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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