catlady91 Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 My mum was diagnosed with stage 3B squamous cell, NSCLC in Feb. The medical team has been very positive from the beginning despite the late stage. She had intense radiation and 2 rounds of aggressive chemo in March and April. Since June she's been having immunotherapy (durvulamab). Her latest scan seems to be NED. She had a PET scan last week. The oncologist looked at it and said that no areas lit up (meaning no cancer) and that this is a very good scan. It still needs to be confirmed with the specialist radiologist who needs to analyse the scan. This is really hopeful. Like everyone here, I worry about recurrence. I read in her notes that the immunotherapy is being given to reduce risk of recurrence. My mum is PD-L1 80%. How is recurrence treated. When it returns can it be gotten rid of and can the person be NED again? I've read that mutations are important for treating recurrence, but squamous cell doesn't have many mutations. Can a person still be treated and declared NED after recurrence/s and not have mutations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lin wilki Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 My my you do 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 a lot. It is extremely difficult to live in the present and not keep thinking the worst! I’m sure we all do it! However that is the lesson of cancer. Enjoy the fact that right now the news is good and don’t think so much about the future. The doctors will deal with a recurrence if/when it happens. Trust them Tom Galli 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LexieCat Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Yeah, try not to focus on the what-ifs. If anything, the more time that goes by, the more likely it is that there will be newer/better treatments available if there should be a recurrence later. It's impossible to map out the what-ifs for something that hasn't yet happened. Try to enjoy her good health--it may last a very, VERY long time. Tom Galli, Sabacat and catlady91 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUNGevityKristin Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 There is a great session Sunday of the conference called "Living in Limbo – Dealing with Uncertainty, Anxiety, and Depression" and also some great caregiver sessions as well that might be helpful. https://lungevity.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=cms.page&id=1784&eventID=947 Tom Galli 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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