What to expect next? - Cancer: Lung Message Board

hope2007life · 11-08-2007, 08:29 AM

my father was just diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer which has already metastisized to his liver. He started chemo yesterday. what should i expect to happen next. What does anyone know about this type?

Thanks worried

peanut222 · 11-08-2007, 02:34 PM

My father-in-law has non small cell which went to his liver too. I would guess to exoect rounds of chemo. I think if its spread, they don't operate...

snoopy63 · 11-08-2007, 02:55 PM

I only know a little about small cell... it is less common than NSC...
it is more aggressive... it grows more quickly... however...on the good side...
it actually responds faster to treatment....
My husband had NSCLC...but I remember the radiologist saying with small cell you can usually tell within days if the treatment is working as opposed to NSC which can take weeks....

you can do some research on line... there are a few sites dedicated to lung cancer...

I hope that all goes well...I am sorry you are going through this....

carol1961 · 11-08-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peanut222

My father-in-law has non small cell which went to his liver too. I would guess to exoect rounds of chemo. I think if its spread, they don't operate...

My mom has been dealing w/ sclc since we discovered june 30th...no surgery...not really an option for small cell...had 4 rounds of 2 drug chemo treatment...3 days straight and 2.5 weeks off...Many people do have REALLY positive responses to the chemo...often putting into remission...but it will eventually come back...my Mom's had spread to her liver, sternum, and spots in her spine...some of it started to shrink...after first 2 cycles...then after last 2 ...had grown...so she wasn't one of the many who have very favorable results w/ first round standard treatment....not because of the spread...but just her...she may be a little immune to chemo as she had 10 mos of chemo years ago for breast cancer...but at my mom's urging...they have started her on secondary treatment of Topetecan...which they usually give someone that had gone into remission and has had a recurrence...both treatments she has tolerated well...just tired...a little nausea...lost her hair...and low blood counts...but all in all ...she has been feeling ok...it is scarier that nsclc (although both are bad...my dad had nsclc)...as it is so very agressive...and the chemo will not touch the brain where it tends to spread to....If someone is successful w/ the first rounds of treatment...they we often do proactive radiation to the brain to prevent it from popping up there while in remission...hope this helps...keep in touch....definite hope!!!....C

SherryAnne · 11-10-2007, 09:12 PM

My mom was diagnosed with extensive small cell lung cancer Dec, 06. She only made it through 3 rounds of 3-day chemo treatment because she got so weak and had to keep getting blood transfusions. She also fell and broke two pelvic bones on the side of her amputed leg of 14 years ago. So, it was mid March and we just decided to call in hospice and she has been keep very comfortable and virtually pain free since then. She is still with us today (she lives with me and my family and I am her only caregiver). Her lung cancer has pretty much taken over most of her body, including her brain now. There is no cure for this and even with the chemo, it has come back with a vengence. It has been a long and difficult road.....any only gets worse with time. If you have any questions, I can probably help answer them for you......we've been through a real lot since her diagnosis.
Hope, I am so very sorry for your father and you. Please know that my prayers are with you.