My Dad has very recently being diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer.  He has been told this is because he has a primary tumour/mass in his lung but the cancer has spread to a lymph node under his armpit and another near his tracea.  The consultant said that there were no signs the cancer had metastised to any other organ which was good news.  My question is that I have read Stage IV is not curable but what is the prognosis for treatment being successful for cancer that has only spread to nearby lymph nodes?  He is due to start chemotheraphy at the end of this month with a combined drug.

I would also like to know why can't lymph nodes be surgically removed?  The consultant says they can't because the cancer has spread to these areas but I don't understand why?  In a letter he received one lymph node was described as 'showing malignancy but with no characteristics'...  what does this mean?

Thanks in advance