Is this a good thing? My dad was due to have surgery in 4 weeks but they've done a biopsy this week to look for the PDL1 indicator and said if it's there then chemo and immunotherapy before surgery would possibly be the option with the best outcome. This would delay surgery for 3 months and he's worried if the chemo /immunotherapy doesn't work then the cancer will have spread in that time and then be inoperable.
As the other forum user has said the PDL1 test is performed on tissue from the biopsy to see whether immunotherapy drugs may be an option.
Having chemotherapy and immunotherapies before surgery can be helpful particularly if they can shrink the cancer before the surgery so less tissue needs to be removed.
Patients are treated very individually so what works for one may not necessarily work for another. There are so many tests that the pathologist can now perform on tissue taken during a biopsy.
Your dad's case will have been discussed in a large formal meeting where all the doctors involved in his care would have made this decision. If you are able to attend an appointment with your dad or you can ask his permission you may find it helpful to talk your concerns through with his doctors.
You may find it helpful to ring and chat this through with one of the nurses on the helpline. Our number is freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are here Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
