treatment of lung cancer

[nayeemmd]

Hello!
     My mother has been detected with small cell lung cancer in advance stage (stage 3). The primary is in the right lower lobe of lung and secondaries in both layers of pleura and lymph nodes inside the lung. So the spread is locally and confined only to lung and pleura. Doctor's are saying that the only treatment is chemotherapy and even with that the life expectancy is only about a year. Is this right? Is there any other treatment available in this case? Is it possible to perform the surgery and remove the part of the lung and pleura where the tumour is located? She has alreay recieved the first cycle of chemotherapy and after this there seems to be some improvements, like minimization of formation of fluid formation in pleura (pleural effusion), decrease in pain and decrease in inflamation. But due to chemo she is getting weaker and weaker. Which center in USA is best for the lung cancer treatment?
Thank you very much for your help. I appreciate it.

[Cosmogal]

Thanks, that is great information! My aunt had small cell. My mom has adenocarcinoma. At least that is what we have been told. A pet scan was run and my mom has it in her leg. That is how we even knew about the lung cancer. We knew there was a primary source just didn't know where it was. She broke her femur and ended up with emergency surgery. A cat scan told us the news we didn't want to hear. However after a pet scan we didn't find it anywhere else. The lung and leg area are it. She just had radiation and starts chemo this week.
Thanks again
Paula

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is a more aggressive form of lung cancer although it constitutes for only 20-25%of the lung cancers.It tends to grow and spread quickly. Because of this, surgery is considered less often in patients with SCLC.

It is of two types:
• Limited disease
• Extensive disease.

In people with limited disease, the cancer is present within the lung on only one side of the chest and/or in the central lymph nodes. About one-third of patients with SCLC have limited disease at the time they are diagnosed. However, in almost all cases, the cancer will have spread outside of the chest in a way that is not yet visible with imaging tests. Most people with limited disease are treated with chemotherapy in combination with radiation therapy. In rare cases, surgery may be considered.

In patients with extensive disease, the cancer has spread to the other side of the chest, or to more distant locations in the body. Patients are generally given chemotherapy as the initial treatment; surgery is not an option. People who respond to chemotherapy are often given radiation therapy to the brain to prevent the development of brain metastases.

So chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the best methods of treatment. The optimal duration of initial chemotherapy for patients with SCLC is not well defined. The number of cycles is determined by how the cancer is responding to treatment, and how the patient's body tolerates the treatment. Typically, four to six cycles of chemotherapy are recommended.

Because SCLC spreads quickly, surgery to remove the lung tumor generally does not improve the probability or length of survival


http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~nn88VFHbEjbw

Regarding the information about the cancer treatment centres of USA,pls log on to http://www.cancercenter.com/

Regards and pls do keep us posted.

[Cosmogal]

Not sure why you have't got a response but check out MD Anderson.The main one is in Houston but they have others as well. My mom has lung cancer as well and l lost my aunt 2 yrs ago as well. Check out my myspace at www.myspace.com/donotsmokeplease I am promoting the dangers of smoking. I will keep you in my prayers. I can understand what you are going through.
Paula