Tests for lung cancer - Cancer: Lung Message Board

Redchez200 · 10-20-2005, 07:54 AM

Hi

I am new to this board.

My Dad has been undergoing tests for a number of weeks for suspected lung cancer.

He is 57 years old and smoked for 42 years up until January 2005. He has had one sypmtom only, which is blood in his sputum, which we initally thought was realted to a triple heart bypass he had in May.

However a chest x-ray showed a spot on his left lung. He has since had a CT scan, bronchoscopy and CT assited needle biopsy. The bronchoscopy did not show anything and we are currently waiting results from the biopsy. Two consultants have now said that the area looks operarable, and the mass is on the surface of the lung. I am very concerned though that the last doctor mentioned tiny spots on the lymph nodes - though he did say this could be scar tissue for the heart surgury, he also indicated that he felt that the area was malignant. 3 doctors have also told him differnt sizes of the spot ranging from 2cm to 5cm.

We are all out of our mind with worry. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes does this mean chemotherapy?

Would he be showing more sypmtoms if the cancer was advanced. The doctor said he had excellent lung capacity. He has shown no shortness of breath, he has not lost his appetitie and has in fact gained a little weight.

I have so many questions, but because we don't know any firm facts at present I feel lost.

We have now waited a week for results from the Biopsy and the strain is starting to show on my Dad, he is becoming increasingly withdrawn and has give himself a death sentance. He feels his life is over.

I would appreciate anyone who has any experiences to share with me.

Darlene-CA · 10-20-2005, 10:30 AM

Hi,

I wish had had something educated to respond with, but I'm in just about the same boat. My Mom had a routine Chest X-ray which came back showing a spot. She then went for a CT scan which has shown a 3cm nodule. The Doctor has now referred her to Loma Linda for a PET Scan. We are just waiting for a test date. My Mom is 63 and a long time smoker. She doesn't have any symptoms. The waiting is such a hard thing, it is definately wearing on my Mom as well as myself. Without knowing for sure, a million things and scenarios run through my mind. I just keep praying for this test to come back negative, or at least come back with something encouraging as far as the staging. Keep us posted on yours Dads progress, I will, as usual continue to pray for ALL those affected by cancer, directly and otherwise....

Songdiva · 10-20-2005, 10:25 PM

I wish I had words of wisdom as well, but like the last poster, I'm going through the same thing with my Mom. Since the beginning of September, in fact. Same thing...they found a suspicious spot on a chest x-ray, and sent her for a CT scan. That came back indicative of cancer, so they did a bronchoscopy.

Apparently they didn't get a good enough sample so they did a needle biopsy. Again, that came back negative as well. Just to be sure, the lung specialist sent her for a PET scan. We just got the results today...and the lung specialist still thinks it's cancer. He thinks it's possible the biosies came up with a false negative. So now she has to go for lung function tests to see if they can do a surgical biopsy on her lung. My Mother is 74 years old...I certainly hope she'll be able to hold up through all of this. I am hoping we can find something out definitive very soon. You're right...the waiting is agonizing.

Redchez200 · 10-21-2005, 11:36 AM

Thank you for your replys. It has amazed me the amount of people going through the same thing. It is that old cliche' that you never think it's going to happen to you and then all of a sudden you are plunged like into a whole new world of lung cancer.

We have just found out that he has an appointment of Monday at 1.30 pm to get the results. That is another weekend to wait. I can't imagine what we are all going to feel like on Monday - it is surreal.

I will keep you informed.

Redchez200 · 10-25-2005, 04:11 AM

My dad went to see the consultant yesterday and was informed that he has lung cancer.

We are all very much still up in the air because the consultant that was supposed to see my Dad couldn't make it and they sent someone who hadn't even see his X-rays and couldn't answer any questions - he just kept saying the surgeon will be able to answer your questions!

All he has been told is that a meeting took place and it was agreed that the tumour was operable so he has to go in this week for surgery. We haven't been told what type of lung cancer it is or anything, but he did mention that it was early stages. From the information I have read it seems that it is non small cell though we can't be certain.

My dad has never been in hospital in his life until this year when he will have underwent two major operations one for a heart bypass and now this one. I'm not really sure now what the future holds. It's all very scary and daunting.