Wait and see? Is that all there is?

korusgirl · Regular Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 26

Age 63, female. Smoker. Slight pneumonia for 1st time in Jan. Two CXR's and one cat scan later I was told by a pulmonologist my GP sent me to for testing of PF, that after he reviewed the scan, etc. I might have lung cancer. I almost feel off the chair as this was not told to me by my GP. He was sending me for PF testing.) MY GP, a few weeks ago, with the radiologist report in hand, admitted he had missed that paragraph!)
Anyway, I had an immediate can scan (which was two months after the first one) and it showed no growth and they said it had a cracked glass look, and that may or may not be cancer. Wait and See .... three more months! (This is in my left upper lobe, 2cm) Also some 'spots" in both lungs - which the 1st cat scan in January did not mention! It was explained to me that it has to do with size of nodule and the slicing of the at scan. And that a pet scan wouldnt pick them up either, they are too small. Since that visit with the specialist, Im wondering, but why not do the Pet scan for the larger nodule? What is it with this WAIT AND SEE treatment!.
IS that all there is? Wait and see ...come bacck for another cat scan in three months? From what little Ive read on the net so far, even if it does grow that doesnt mean its cancer. What is a person supposed to do in this case. Not eat, not sleep, become anxious and loose weight ... another sign of cancer!
It seems to me that in this day and age there really should be better testing techniques for lung cancer and it doesn't seem, from what Ive been reading, that there is any. Very little research has been done in ten or more years with any fervor. Im getting the feeling that lung cancer is what no one wants to talk about, much less research, because most of us have done it to ourselves. I really feel for those of you who have never smoked...that is ertainly not true for you but you are suffering because of smokers I guess. I also wonder what in the world NIH, university labs and other groups have been doing with the money they've received from the tobacco companies for lung cancer research. I mean to say, without being facetious, WHY ISNT THERE SOMETHING LIKE A PAP SMEAR FOR LUNG CANCERS? I dont mean that simplistic, but Lord knows there is just nothing out there.
HAve any of you had to live with WAIT AND SEE TREATMENT, from what i gather for at least a year or more, until they decide its PROBABLY NOT CANCER? GOD love each and every one of you for being subjected to that .... its almost as bad, I think, about finding out immediately.
Thanks everyone
Joyce

loftus75

You have my sympathy korusgirl, even being brought on to the edges of a terminal illness is both frieghtening and depressing. There must be reasons for your health professionals not going on with other tests, biopsies etc. However your language would indicate your in the UK, e.g. using the term GP (general practitioner), and I know that some GP's have real problems with communication, as do many other proffessionals when dealing with extremely sensitive issues. Leaving you in limbo is a contradiction in terms when applying good health practice, this being the case you might consider seeing your GP for a frank discussion in which he/she explains to you why you've been left in this situation, there might be very good reasons why they cannot be clearer, on the other hand its unlikely there's a good reason for leaving you in a confused state.

Good luck, lets hope that it's a false alarm Smile

pat devitavessa · Regular Joined: 09 Apr 2005 Posts: 25

Hello There,

You must have a faith in your doctors (you deserve that!). Get a second opinion from a board-certified oncologist (cancer doctor). It concerns me that your GP would have "forgotten" an important pargraph in an important radiology report.

Your very right, waiting can induce stress related problems. Get support and a second opinion. If you are at a loss of who to see here are a few directions of were to start. Call an oncology department of a medical center attached to a college. I find that they have a tendency to know who is who. Maybe your GP (if you have enough trust for that) or a local Wellness Community. Most cities have a place where groups are run and information is there about cancer help for the local area.

loftus75 gave you good advice and I echo my sincere hope that this is a false alarm.

Best,

Pat
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Pat DeVita-Vessa, MFT

This is a dislaimer that this is not medical advice only information to help you

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

I understand you are under a lot of stress and frustrations. Believe me that there is a lot of research going into lung cancer as well. It turns out that lung cancer is difficult to diagnose, because to get tissue samples you need to do an invasive procedure. PET scans are being more commonly used, and it can show high uptake with a cancerous nodule and therefore steer your doctor to proceed with a biposy earlier. If you are not satisfied with your current physician you should seek a second opinion.

I hope it works well for you.

best regards,
Leo
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Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

korusgirl · Regular Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 26

I held off writing in my first email that I did have second pulmonologist opinion about a week ago.

I brought the two cat scans with me that I had, one from January's pneumonia and one from the first pulmonologist I saw at the end of March. I live in NY State and went to Albany Medical Center for the 2nd opinion.
That doctor suggested waiting three months like the first pulmonologist after reviewing the two cat scans.

I really appreciate your recommending that I could go to an oncologist. I was not sure I could do that yet when I didnt know yet if I had cancer.

With lung cancer, does an oncologist operate or does he just treat you and a thoracic surgeon performs the operation if one is needed? Like who does the bronchoscopies, etc. and I read on the net somewhere there issomething less invasive called VAT surgery. Have any of you had this, or do you have any information about it?

Because my GP missed the important para.graph in the 1st cat scan report about possible cancer in January and I didnt find out until almost the beginning of April, before I went to see the 1st pulmonologist, I felt I needed to ather the reports together and read them myself.

Thank you everyone for your help
Joyce

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Joyce

Well, I did not suggest you to go to an oncologist. I think for lung nodules and such the best people to investigate it are pulmonologists. Who knows what these are. Maybe a spot of infection, an old scarrred area, or cancer. So before you have the diagnosis of cancer you should not go to an oncologist, he/she will not be able to help you. Oncologists basically recommend treatments for cancer, involving chemotherapy, radiation, surgery. They are not surgeons. They are the primary provider to help cancer patients, and will refer you to other professionals as needed (radiation therapists, surgeons etc).

best regards,
Leo
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Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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