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After lung cancer surgery, signs of cancer in lymph nodes

NorthlaineM
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Hi, after having scans over a year offered by the NHS as an ex smoker, I was given a pet scan which showed a small cancer tumour in the small lung on my right side.

5 weeks ago, the offending lung was removed by keyhole surgery. After having a post op meeting yesterday, I was told that they also removed some lymph nodes around the vicinity and sent all off to be examined. This confirmed that the tumour was indeed cancer, but also that the cancer was also present in the lymph nodes. 

Has anyone had a similar diagnosis? If so could you tell me what happens next? I’ve been told that my results will be sent to my local oncology centre and I will hear from them shortly. 

I guess it was too much to think that the op was the end of my problem, but I really wasn’t expecting this. 

  • Offline

    Hi Northlaine.

    My Mum was diagnosed with very early Stage lung cancer in 2020.

    Her surgery was delayed because of COVID and NHS protocols where not all people with small potential lung cancers are given PET Scans.

    It took 9 months before she had her operation at which point the disease has progressed to Stage 3 where there is a presence of cancer in the lymph nodes.

    In her case they told her that Chemo was not a option as there was no specific part of the body to target - The cancer within the lung has been removed - as had the lymph nodes in question.

    They did add that Chemo had a 5% of helping her - but would make her very sick and so we opted against it in the end - there was no other  viable treatments sadly

    You may need to discuss this with your consultant at your next review meeting.

    I hope you reover well

  • Offline in reply to Xink37

    Thank you so much for answering, I have an appointment at the cancer centre on Tuesday next week to ask questions. 

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