Recent Lung Cancer / Chemotherapy questions

Hi all,

My father was recently diagnosed with lung cancer stage 1. Tumour was 1.7cm (17mm) in his upper left lobe. Lobectomy was performed and successful. He is pain free and breathing is relatively good. He is currently coming up on 6 weeks out of surgery.

The results of the surgery showed it had spead to one of his lymph nodes that were removed from his body.

We understand it is a normal course of treatment to have chemotherapy when this happens however we have been told he cannot have the "regular course" of chemo that they would normally offer due to a slight history of clotting and side effects that it may cause clotting.

A course they have said we can go with is Paclitaxel & Carboplatin. 

The doctor said we would have added about 4% to his overall chance of a "cure" had we been able to go with it however since we cannot the doctor stated the Paclitaxel & Carboplatin chemo option would add about 2% to our overall chance of a "cure".

He has said it is a decision that is up to us to make and he is nether for or against whether we should get it since it is only a 2% increase (in his words).

Has anybody got any experience with this kind of situation or can they give any guidance? Any experiece or information at all about the chemo, the situation, anything at all... would be great.

Thanks a lot.

Disclaimer: I am not asking for medical advice here.

  • Hi the thing with chemo is it makes your blood sticky and prone to strokes after so if your prone to clotting chemos going to ibcrease risk i can tell you now that staying hydrated realy is impoemrtant cant stress it enough sounds like there realy on the ball there with it .p