Sage IV NSC with mets in lymph and brain - expectations

bzybzybzy · New User Joined: 10 Oct 2009 Posts: 7

5 years ago, my dad had a chest xray as part of a pre-op screening. At that time, a small tumor was found in his upper right lung. His physician assumed it was not cancerous, but recommended surgery to have it removed - just to be safe. It turned out to be non small cell. The tumor was completely removed with no visible cancer in surrounding lymph nodes etc. There was no chemo or radiation recommended - just followup scans.

It's now five years later and my dad was just diagnosed with a brain tumor. The neuro surgeon was not able to get a biopsy of the tumor but is sure it's cancerous. After the brain surgery, he got a full body PET scan, and they found several cancerous lymph nodes in the chest and neck. They were only able to remove one of the lymph nodes. The path report on the lymph node was NSC.

I think we now assume that the brain tumor is most likely NSC as well. Has anyone had a similar situation? What should we be expecting? My sisters and I all live quite a distance from my dad. (I'm a 14 hour drive away - and the closest.)

dano

Hi there very busy; Sorry to hear about what your dad has gone through, it is disappointing at best and scary. He has had mets in the same places I have had yet he has had surgeries and that is a lot to go through all mine have been treated with chemo or radiation and so far so good. I take it that your dad's doctors thought that if they cut it out it would be better, I think he needs to start looking for another opinion and get things under control.
Dan
_________________
55 year old male, Diagnosed Nov. 9,2007 with NSCLC IV with Mets to the lymphs and brain
Had full brain radiation treatment in Jan 08 treatments now every 4 weeks with Alimta, taking Lovenox for blood clots, Now working full time
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9993

robertacastello · Regular Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Posts: 41

My father has the same situation, only worst becuase his cancer, along with the chest nodes and brain, spread to the meninges. It's a treatable condition, in your case is even better. They'll probably treat him wit full head radiotheraphy for the brain met and a combination of radiation and chemo for the lymph nodes.
I can give you a tip about nutrition, though. Try to make him have as much protein as you can (protein shakes, bas, etc). The radiation in the chest can cause some difficulty swallowing, so having lts of protein beforehand can help him not to loose any muscular strenght later on.
My best wishes to you and your family.

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