Latest CT scan shows one 5mm spot on lung. I had been getting clear results over last year and was thinking that I was through the worst of it. Christmas holiday now being replaced by operation and Christmas in hospital. I hate this disease!
Ouch! Will they do a video assisted thoracic surgery? 5mm sounds quite small. My surgeon doesn't operate until it's at least 1cm. By the way, how can they be sure it is a metastasis?
Elodie, I am still angry about this I had felt that I have had my fair share of treatment and life was coming back to some form of normality.
I haven’t talked to surgeon yet, just know that I am booked in for priority surgery and expect to be in in next couple of weeks. The good news is sounds like a good part of lung and it’s a solo small spot. When the oncologist was talking on phone it was just a blur and I will pick up details in next meeting.
Don’t they need to biopsy spot to confirm a metastasis?
Usually they do not biopsy suspicious nodules in the lungs. Rather, they wait for the next scan to check if the nodules have increased in size. That's how they tell whether it is a metastasis or not. This is probably because the risks associated with a biopsy of the lungs are higher than with most other parts of the body... Also, a surgeon may open and miss the nodule if it is too small and not dense enough.
The procedure is called a thoracotomy with either wedge resection or lobectomy. Spot is in the base of the right lower lobe adjacent to the heart (but completely in lung). They have four CT scans and image is very clear and they are certain that it wasn’t there previously and that it has grown. I’ve got no issue that they want it out quickly.
Elodie, do you think waiting to see what develops is an option. my natural feeling is that it is growing and maybe spreading and I want it gone.
I asked about computer aided and he didnt know anything about that, at this stage I’m just dealing with my Oncologist not my sarcoma spealists or the surgeon so will ask them also. This may not be on offer in New Zealand.
Guys, Thanks for your help and support I find sharing helps me process and come to term with things.
With video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) the surgeon can make small holes under your arm while with the old technique, he usually makes a big cut in your back. The advantage of VATS is a faster recovery and the potential to redo surgery more times. But with a bigger cut in the back, the surgeon has more chances to find the small metastasis that can't even be seen on the CT scan and he also can remove more of your lung if necessary.
If the surgeon agrees to operate right away, then go for it. As a patient, I also feel better it be removed as soon as possible even with the risks associated...
It's not easy to find out you have a metastasis. But better it be one small (that's still highly manageable) than many big and inoperable. Hold on Gary! Nobody said this disease is a piece of cake...
I have successfully got through the removal of the 1cm hard fleshy lump yesterday and the lesion it’s off for analysis, although in my mind ive confirmed this is a secondary metastasis . More information on the op and a pic of lesion on my blog here http://getbetterget.blogspot.com/. In end they did a tradional wedge resection.
Its difficult coming to terms with the poorer prognosis and the tough path ahead to achieve long term survival from this desease; yes good news is that it is just one lump and they have got on to this quickly and removed.
Also I was pretty apprehensive about more surgery and I’ve got through it OK. At the end of the day you just need to stump up for next procedure and not get too far ahead on what might happen . I’ve successfully got through another procedure on the project to save my own life.
I wish you a quick recovery and no more bad news! Keep your strong spirit!