Surgery for NSCLC 75 years old

np03 · New User Joined: 14 Apr 2009 Posts: 4

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I've been on here. My father was diagnosed with Stage 3a NSCLC and has since completed his first chemo teatments.
This went well with a 30% reduction in the tumour. Our ncologist has recomended surgery immedietly, although since we have changed oncologists (long story) the new one has recomended another round of chemo before surgery. There has been some concern in our family about the surgery. Can anyone give any advice on the severity of this op and the general recovery period. My father is in good health otherwise. The 2 surgeons he has seen both recomend this procedure.
Should we trust their experience and knowledge? I should mention the tumour was initially 3X1.5 cm and has shrunk by 30%, with another round of chemo to go.
Thanks everyone

onecoyote · Senior User Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 150

Hi np03,
My husband had a pneumonectomy in September of last year. His surgery went very well at the time. His was an entire right lung removal which actually makes the surgery and recovery easier. I say this because removing just a lobe (right has three lobes, left has two lobes) may require the use of drainage tubes. My husband did not require this but they warned us ahead of time just in case they left any part of the lung intact.
The other important factor in his ease of recovery was the use of an epidural (anesthesia given in the spinal area) in addition to the general anesthesia. It made it possible for him to use little if any pain meds after surgery thus eliminating any medication side effects.
I am happy that your father has reached the point that he can have surgery, many people do not have that option. I truly wish him the best and that he beats this monster.
Charlene
_________________
Husband Danny, age 66,
diagnosed squamous cell June 6, 2008,
Right pneumonectomy performed with no adjuvant chemo or radiation on Sept. 2008
Metastatic lung cancer in the ribs, scapula and right kidney raised it's ugly head May 2009.
Renal cell carcinoma diagnosed May 2009
One round carbo/taxol, too weak to continue
Cancer racing like a freight train
Held my husband's hand when he passed away September 29, 2009

UneasyRider · Regular Joined: 21 Aug 2008 Posts: 40

Hi np03. Lung surgery is major surgery. It takes a lot to recover from it, and many people have serious pain for a long time afterward. And, as Charlene can testify, there are no guarantees that the cancer won't come back.

All that said, when surgery can be done, it still offers the best shot at a cure. Good luck to your father. Tell him we're all pulling for him.
_________________
57 year old male in Texas diagnosed with Stage II NSCLC
Upper left lobectomy on December 20, 2007, then 3 rounds of adjuvant chemotherapy
July 2008 CT scan - NED
December 2008 CT scan - NED
June 2009 CT scan - NED
My story is in this thread: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=39609#39609

robertacastello · Regular Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 41

When we are talking about cancer, there are never any guarantees... But my father had a lobectomy last year, he was 76 years old then, and he recovered very well. He was in the hospital for six days and then was able to go home. During the first month after the surgery he felt very tired and needed help to perform his daily chores, but after that he went back to his normal life. The only thing you should be aware of is to warn him not to force his way in the bathroom. My father had a slow intestine back then, put a lot of strenght in his number 2 duties and ended up with a pneumotorax (rupture of the stiches)...

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