tonyathomas Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi everyone. My aunt is diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in both lungs, inoperable....she said her pet scan made her lungs look like a collander...peppered with cancer. I've researched this until my eyes hurt.....her Dr won't give a stage....just says its "mulit-bilateral pulmonary metastises." They won't give her a prognosis either....isn't that odd? She started chemo last week. She is strong and has no symptoms (found it by accident xraying another organ). The chemo didn't even really make her sick. She went to work the next day and was planting flowers in the yard the day after......is that normal? I have tons more questions.....if anyone is here..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hebbie Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 her Dr won't give a stage....just says its "mulit-bilateral pulmonary metastises." It seems very odd that her doctor won't give her a Stage or tell her anything more than that -- are you sure it is lung cancer? To me, that sounds like it is cancer from somewhere else that has mets to the lung. In any event, Welcome to the family no one wants to be a part of, but you will find a wealth of knowledge here and also a source of great comfort! Welcome again, Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimblanchard Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 We are here and ready to answer any questions. The reason you may not have been given a type is exactly what Hebbie said; it seems unusual for this to have originated in the lung. When Becky was diagnosed, they subjected her to all sorts of tests to make sure it was a primary lung tumor. That was also because it was so unbelievable that she had lung cancer, diagnosed three weeks after her 30th birthday having never smoker, worked in industry, or any other risk factor. As for staging, anytime there are tumors in both lungs, it is a stage IV cancer. Someone correct me on this if I am wrong. Regardless, this is beatable. Statistics are grim, but your aunt is not a statistic. As for handling chemo, Becky never had too much problem with the treatments. The cisplatin made her nauseus, but there is medicine for that. She always had a sub available for her, but she was able to teach her classes the same day. So everybody is different on that respect. Good luck, and post any other questions you have. Someone here is sure to know the answers to most of them. Curtis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi Tony, Heather is right seems very odd the doctor has not giving her the stage of her disease. Maybe she needs to ask the doctors that question. When I did chemo I did not get sick either. I did on the third day after treatment become really tired. I also continued to work the entire time I was receiving treatment. Best wishes to her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindseysmom Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Hi Tony, Heather is right seems very odd the doctor has not giving her the stage of her disease. Maybe she needs to ask the doctors that question. When I did chemo I did not get sick either. I did on the third day after treatment become really tired. I also continued to work the entire time I was receiving treatment. Best wishes to you and her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginnyde Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Tony, Welcome to our family. This board is not a 'chat' or 'IM', you post a question or opinion and someone will post an anwser or another opinion. I find it difficult to believe that the drs. don't give your aunt the type and stage of cancer. Maybe they have not done all the testing. She should get as much information as possible so she can research her situation correctly. There is much happening in LC research today (not enough, but some good news). Let your aunt know about us, she will find alot of support and caring here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john Posted June 1, 2004 Share Posted June 1, 2004 Sometimes a test for TTF (Thyroid transcription factor is done) to test if it is from the lung. Since he said adenocarcinoma, they know the cell type, though it still might not be a lung primary. Another possibility is that is is BAC. BAC usually stays in the lungs. If there is no lymph node mets, then maybe it is BAC. BAC responds well to Iressa or the Tarceva/Herceptin combination Sorry you are here. Try to write down a list of questions for the Dr and if possible get a 2nd opinion. I imagine in Alaska it is probably harder to find cancer specialists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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