Pneumonectomy (removal of lung)

[Bbbananas]

If a patient has had such a procedure for lung cancer, but then (8 years later) goes on to develop a second lung cancer in the remaining lung - what are the surgical options, if any?
Would it be possible to still proceed with a lobectomy (removal of just a lobe of that diseased lung). Or would the only forms of treatment be chemotherapy or radiotherapy?

[daffy654]

Which lung has already been removed?
If it was the right lung then it is very unlikely they would then remove part of the left as it is much smaller than the right to start with.Lung transplant may be an option after chemo and radiotherapy.

[LazyGun]

I think it very doubtful that surgery could be considered as an option in this instance salla. Without knowing anything else about the type of tumour and medical history of the patient, it might be that even radiotherapy would be ruled out, leaving chemotherapy as the only realistic treatment option.

[Bbbananas]

I don't know which one was removed initially daffy, but thanks for your answer.

I don't think transplant would be an option - the man in question is 80 and already quite frail.

[daffy654]

In a man of that age it is unlikely they would consider surgery at all then salla.Palliative care seems the likely option due to his age and frailty.

[Bbbananas]

Thought so daffy - thanks to you and lazygun.

This is a man who is due to walk his daughter down the aisle in just over a month's time. :-(

[Sqad]

Transplant is out of the question with a patient with malignant disease.

It doesn't matter which lung was removed at the last operation as bot lungs are equal in size..right lung has 3 lobes and the left lung 2 lobes.

Type of tumour is important....is it highly malignant or slow growing....well differentiated or poorly differentiated?

Where abouts in the remaining lung is it situated?

Further surgery IS possible, depending upon the answers to the above questions

[Sqad]

Question is:

Is it curable?

Any cancer is treatable.

Notice the difference?

[Bbbananas]

We won't know until Thursday at the earliest sqad. He's going for a bronchoscopy & then to hear the conclusion of the decision of the multi-disciplinary team.

I doubt the man involved, or his wife, will take it all in though, never mind understand much of it. I have encouraged my friend, their daughter, to go with them and report back what the consultant says - but he may just skip to the treatment options and skim through all the medical terminology & diagnosis.

[Sqad]

Just thought of another consideration.

Is it
1) a recurrence of the initial cancer?
2) a separate and new primary lung cancer.
3) a secondary from another site....e.g kidney?

[Sqad]

salla...thanks.......bronchoscopy and biopsy should give us a few answers.

[Bbbananas]

Don't know that either sqad. Hasn't there been too much time passed (8 years) for it to be a recurrence of the initial cancer?

My suspicions are that it's a new primary or even a secondary from another site (they did an arterial biopsy the other week, which I thought was a bit weird, but I think the bloke has symptoms he is not sharing with his family). Plus he has also had abnormal renal results.

[Sqad]

salla....too many unanswered questions.

salla..I read your post this morning to mrs sqad and she thought it was hilarious...........she then went on to say that she watched, last night, a recorded Surgical Spirit and dreamt about the ENT surgeon who was a pompous git. I had my own theatre garb and in her dream some junior surgeon put on MY gear and there was ructions in the theatre...LOL

[Bbbananas]

I know it's not a lot to go on sqad - maybe I'll have a bit more information in a few days, but thanks.

I used to love Surgical Spirit and Green Wing was brilliant.
You had any dreams about backseats of cars?!!!

[Sqad]

No.......spontaneity is the secret of my sexual prowess.....LOL

[Bbbananas]

are you getting mixed up with spontaneous combustion?

[Sqad]

salla.....one day you might find out........LOL

[Bbbananas]

I'd better not wear my little black dress then..... :-)

[Sqad]

salla.....has it got buttons and could I introduce you to two mates of mine...............!!

[Bbbananas]

Ha! - I thought you'd gone out for the day. And I saw you slavering all over Nurse Gladys earlier.... :-)

Which two mates would they be then? The ones you would get me to meet up with in the back seat of a car, with you driving?

Make one of then Johnny Depp and the other Clive Owen, and you're on.....

[Sqad]

By Christ your quick on the uptake......for a Lincolnshire girl.

Believe me I am the son of Christ compared to some of my mates........I wouldn't do that to you.

DEN...the little prick bit.....old has the hills.