VegasMomOf3 Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Hi there, My Mom saw the Surgeon yesterday so when my Dad called me last night I was expecting more bad news on top of the PET scan results we got earlier this week. What I got was the exact opposite!! The sound in my Dad's voice was wonderful to hear. He said that both he and my Mom really liked the Surgeon and that this was the first doctor to give them thorough information in a positive manner. The Surgeon spent quite a lot of time with them just talking.....which meant so very much to my parents. Especially after the past few weeks of doctors, tests, phone calls.........all overwhelming. I'm so glad that they seem to have hit it off well and I'm hoping this "positive" mannered Surgeon can help instill feelings of hope back into my Mom. My Dad mentioned a few things that I wanted to ask you all about: The Surgeon told them that some of the "hot" zones (thyroid & lymph nodes) shown in the PET scan may not prove to be cancer cells, but instead small infections in the areas which would also show "hot". Have any of you heard of this?? Also, the tumor in my Mom's lung (7cm) seems to be dead in the middle. I'm not quite sure what to make of that. The Surgeon wants to do some more testing on my Mom, to include another CT scan of her neck and chest. He also wants to do another bronchoscopy and biopsy more tissue. It seems that the Surgeon may prove to be the "primary" physician for my Mom. Is this typical?? Be Blessed, Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasMomOf3 Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 And one more thing - the Surgeon said that he has seen more success when a patient does chemo, radiation or both prior to surgery. Thoughts on this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connie B Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 I'm living proof. That's my thought on it. I'm glad your mom feel comfy with the surgeon. That's how it should feel with all her doc's. Best wishes to you, your mom and your dad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chloesmom Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 I know that a lot of people have had success with chemo and/or radiation prior to surgery. Would they have been as successful if they had waited till after surgery, who knows? But it's a common plan to do all that prior to surgery to try to shrink/kill tumors so that they are easier to remove during surgery. My lead physician for this is my surgeon. And that suits me just fine. He's the guy who was in there and saw what there was to see and he also has seen all my x-rays and scans all along. I have every confidence in him. And, it is normal for your surgeon to take the lead in your care for this. As to the uptake in the nodes and thyroid, uptake can come from inflamation, infection, or tumor. No one is ever sure until a sample of tissue is taken. It sounds like you're in good hands. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 My 'main' guy is my surgeon. I had chemo AND radiation prior to surgery. Adjuvent chemo about a month after. I think you are in for AWESOME news as this plan progresses. Congrats and good luck! Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missyk Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Add me to the list of folks diggin this news big-time! (And if all of US are, I can't imagine how happy your family must be!) If I ever see a post where surgery is an option...WOW..what GREAT news! I'm so happy for you guys and wish your mom all the best. It's so nice when you've found a physician that you're comfortable with and you just *know* you're in good hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gail Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 I have a very good friend whose PET lit up (non lung cancer patient), and all the lit spots were infection, not malignancies. keep asking those questions gail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Yes doing "neo adjuvant chemo/radiation" (chemo and/or radiation) before surgery has shown to be I think more effective in some cases. A central mass that is big is sometimes squamous cell cancer which has a slightly better prognosis (from what I have read) than other types Of course trying to quit smoking is important if surgery is going to happen because of the lung function will be affected Good news and good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carolhg Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 I also am living proof. I had a 'doom and gloom' primary doctor who told me that there was no sense in having surgery because the cancer showed spread to two lymph nodes on the PET scan. My surgeon had me to have 6 weeks on chemo and radiation. After that time I was able to have surgery. I followed about a month later with adjuvant chemo for two sessions. July 1st will be two years since my surgery and I am doing very well and am very grateful to my surgeon and team of doctors. Needless to say I dumped Dr. 'Dooom and Gloom'. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Donna , I have a friend who is a member on this board who was stage 3, had chemo prior to surgery and over 5 years later she is still cancer free. Woo Hoo.... Sounds like a good plan . Dr. West addresses this on his site , as well. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasMomOf3 Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 Hi there, I just spoke with my Dad and he did verify that the 7cm tumor on my Mom's left lung is squamous. Is it typical for squamous tumors to begin dying in the middle as my Mom's has?? Be Blessed, Donna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather_T Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 I also had chemo/radiation for 6 weeks followed by 7 more chemos. The Ct Scan showed no lymph node involvement anymore. They could not tell with the lung because I had so much scar tissue. I decided it was best to have my lung removed. I am still in recovery from the surgery but plan on living many more years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don M Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Hi: it sounds like you mom is on the right treatment path. i wish her good luck and God speed. don M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Donna, Yes that is typical. The tumor gets so big it cuts the blood supply off to itself so it dies inside. I think it is called cavitation. Take care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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