Second primary lung cancer

My wife had 2 lobes of her right lung removed November 2020 it was noted that she had a 12mm amorphous shadow on her left lung

loss of use of her left arm apraxia and breathing difficulties started in Feb 2022 which after CT scan checking for a stroke ended with CBS or PSP being considered 

A CT scan has now shown up a 20.4mm tumour and surgery seemed to be planned

a whole body PET scan was done and breathing test with a heart test organised then we were quickly called in for an oncologist meeting 

We were told her health is not good enough for surgery so she is now booked in  For a focused radiotherapy discussion 

her breathing is quite shallow as she has gold stage 3 COPD

Is the current tumour likely to be secondary primary cancer or a new primary  

The few calls or meetings we have are usually intense and short so prognosis is difficult  

the last oncologist said we could just watch the tumour with a CT scan every 6 months but this can cause lots of anxiety whilst radio therapy can cause scarring 

Any thoughts/questions we should ask?

regards

  • Hello and thank you for your post,

    I am sorry to hear about your wife's situation and I can appreciate you want to know more.

    Undergoing tests and investigations can be a very stressful and worrying time. I can appreciate you want to know more about the tumour they found in her left lung. Your question about the tumour and if it is a secondary lung cancer or a primary cancer is, I am afraid, not something we are able to tell you about. This is because we are not part of the team caring for her. But it is something that your wife's team may be able to give you more information about.

    Radiotherapy is often used if surgery is not a treatment option.  We have information about radiotherapy for lung cancer, it might be helpful to read about it before you discuss it with the oncologist, you can see it here.

    Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Yours sincerely,

    Caroline