Hello:

I'm new here, and found this website when doing google searches on mothers lung tumor.

Mother, 63 diagnosed July 2007 with SCLC located behind the lung. Biopsy of lung showed no cancer cells. Tumor located behind lung in between lung and pulmonary artery. Tumor size is 7cm by 6cm. Tests shows that is hasent spread to anywhere and is all located behind right lung. Could not breathe very well, was put on oxygen and I had to take her to doctors appt. in wheelchair as 4-6 steps would be very difficult.

Started 4 rounds on chemotherapy every 3 weeks (Carboplatin/Etoposide) August 2007. Tolerated chemo very well, so very well, that the doctor increased treaments to 6. Oxygen and wheelchair has been put away and she now walks downtown (6 blocks). She has to stop not and then for a rest, but at least she does it. Her blood went very low (Hemoglobin 65, platelets 15) but she felt the best she had in a long time. Only side effects were hair loss, insomnia and a few mouth sores (she had fun going to the local coffee shop for a tea at 2am and watching all the drunks come in from the bars ). Chemo finished, tumor has shrunk more than 50%. Now starts the radiation to tumor and preventative radiation to head.

My questions is, has anyone ever heard of the doctor not doing radiation therapy due the fact that there may be too much damage to lung via formation of scar tissue? Her Pulmonary Function test is tomorrow and On Thursday she gets the CT for the markings on her chest.

Thanks, and I'm glad I found this site!!!!

Chrispy555

I do not have any information on your questions but just wanted to welcome you to this site. I found this site in November through a google search as well. The members are a great source of information and very friendly.

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02/07 spot showed on chest x-ray
04/07 ct scan confirmed spot
07/07 pet scan could not confirm cancerous
09/07 had lobectomy of upper lobe on left lung.tumour was 2.1cm
10/07 lymph node samples were negative. classified as stage 1b.
12/07 Begin 4 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy. Cisplatin and Vinerolbine on a 21 day cycle.
01/08 First 3 month chest x-ray was all clear.
03/08 After 3 rounds, cisplatin wil be replaced by carbo for the last round. Ringing in the ears is a side effect of cisplatn.
03/08/08 Had treatment yesterday of Carboplatin/Vinerolbine. So far feeling alot better than when I received the Cisplatin. Treatment lasted 2 hours compared to 5 hours for Cisplatin.
04/08 Chest x-ray. All clear.
06/08 chest CT Scan. All clear
09/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
11/08 Chest x-ray. All clear
02/09 Chest and abdomen CT Scan. All clear
04/09 Chest x-ray. All clear
06/09 Chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound All clear
01/10 Chest x-ray. All clear

Crispy~
I often thought that funny. To date since diagnosis, I have not had a PFT. I'm on spiriva, and my last CT scan said consolidation most probbaly from radiation, but Im doing fine. I cant climb a Mt. then again, I couldnt last year either! Keep us posted. Mary

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Almost 1 year to the day after I was first diagnosed, after 2 great scans "grossly stable" my Stage IIIB LC was back. MSKCC told me they were sorry I had exhausted all available TX options.

"Cancer Camp"!! 6/08 Cancer Treatment Centers of America, Philly. In short, after one TX my CEA went from 395 to 252, thats 35% reduction! ONE TX
And MSKCC they offered palliative care, hummmmmmm
8/5 3rd TX at CTCA and my CEA is now down to 157!!!
I feel great. Not sure how they do it, but sure am glad they do .
Next Tx 8/29 I got a Hall Pass to get to the Jimmy Buffett concert at Jones Beach, we'' be flying pirate kites.
Tx bumped to 9/2 Carbo, taxol, avastin stopped doing its job. CEA back up to 269. Avastin held as port site not healing from 6/08, avastin can inturupt healing. mildly freaking. CT scan 9/23 to confirm elevated CEA, if confirmed to a new cocktail. I feel pretty good, for a scardie pants
10/20/08 CT scan, Stage IV lung, with new liver mets. My CEA is now 957. Started Gemzar and Navelbine. Next visit 2 wks.
11/20 CEA 1310 yikes. Started "CAMP" protocol.
Cytoxan,adriamycin,methotrexate and procarbazine. I call it the kitchen sink. Arse kicking side effects, but I'll keep you posted.

www.januscharitychallenge.kintera.org/lp09/bradfinn

Breath In ,Breath Out and Move On- Jimmy Buffett '07

Hi and welcome to the site. It sounds like your Mom is doing great! Congratulations!! I don't know the answer to your question but I recommend onctalk.com? You should ask Dr.West, that is his site and he's great.

My Mom's radiation oncologist told us she would never get off of the oxygen and would always have SOB due to the damage from the tumors AND the radiation but initally she improved, got off of the oxygen and was walking a pretty far bit.

I'm just wondering...what is the purpose of the lung function test in a case of SCLC? I know what the purpose of the LFT is, but what are they going to change up on her treatment?

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Mom: SCLC 6/7/40-11/28/07
Dad: Renal failure 1/21/35-12/13/06
*Living forever in my heart.*

Hi -

My mom's tumor began about the same size as your mom's. She was not given radiation until the tumor was a lot smaller because the doctor said the radiation would destroy too much good tissue if aimed at a large tumor.

Once the tumor decreased to 2 cm, they did the radiation.

Perhaps you can ask if there are plans for radiation after tumor shrinkage.

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Daughter of a 73 yr. old SCLC patient who smoked 1/2 - 1 pack a day for 55 years.

Mom is diagnosed limited stage 3/07.
Had Cisplatin and etoposide + radiation + PCI through 11/07.
Cancer jumps to adrenal gland 10/08.
Small brain mets in 8/10. Gamma knifed - ZAPPED!
Adrenal gland met has grown to 6" x 6" by 1/11.