Multiple lung tumours

[bigfatgypsy]

Can anyone give me a clearer idea about this. You don't need to damp it down, I fear it's not good but just wonder if anyone can give me some info.

A member of my family has lung cancer, she's only 15. We're not really close, and I'm not really close enough to her parents to ring but have sent cards and texts to say we're all thinking of her etc. She's got 'several' tumours on her lung/lungs. She's had 3 sessions of chemo so far but I get the feeling that the tumours are large and many and that things aren't good.

I was telling a medical friend of mine and she seemed to be telling me that the chemo will be more to 'keep it a bay' rather than clear it. Is this a correct assumption? I have no idea how successful chemo is for things like this, and while I really hope it will work and kill all the tumours, is this likely? Does anyone have any experience of this?

[chocolatchaud]

I can't answer any of your questions, but just wanted to say I'm so sorry.

I hope the treatment is successful x

[methodsandmaterials]

I'm so sorry.
Am not qualified to help here but you might like to talk to Cancer Research UK's cancer nurses. They know what they are talking about and they are lovely.. The number is 0808 800 4040.

[triplets]

I too am sorry she is going through this esp so young. Do you know if the lung is the primary, seems very unusual for a 15 yr old. Is it both lungs do you know? I have a friend in Australia who had multiple lesions in one lung so they have removed the lung. My husband has bowel cancer which spread to his liver and last year to his lung, he went back onto chemo which shrunk the tumour and then was surgically removed. I hope they come up with a plan for her soon .xx

[bigfatgypsy]

I'm not sure if it's primary or secondary. She has had cancer before, about 9yrs ago she had to have a rib removed (cant remember what type sorry) but was given the all clear. I wonder if it's related to that, seems too much of a bad coincidence if not

I need to find out more info don't I? I feel so useless, as if I really should do something to help. Poor girl, I can't imagine what her parents are going through.

[CMOTdibbler]

Unfortunatly, it probably is related to the cancer she had before, and although chemo can do amazing things in children, when there are multiple tumours which have come from elsewhere, it shows that the tumour cells have been able to move widely from where they started, and its not a good place to be.
Her medical team may be giving chemo with the intent of getting rid of the lung tumours, or at least really shrinking them to make her more comfortable - only they and her parents know this as its impossible to know without all the details.
You can do lots to support her and her parents - sending magazines,, little gifts to her, gift cards for Cook or some other nice frozen food service, or M&S if theres a Simply Food near to the hospital. Those costs mount up a lot, and its nice to be able to have a treat

[topsyturner]

I have secondary (to breast cancer) lung tumours . Have also been told they are multiple . I have had 3 months of chemo and just been told yesterday that my tumours have shrunk noticably .

Unfortunately as it is a secondary cancer (which is what your family member appears to have) it is deamed as incurable .
This is not as bad as it sounds . Worst case scenario was that I could have a 2/3 year survival rate . But from further reading , and my recent results , it could be much better than this .

I am really sorry for your news , I have always found MacMillan are a great source of information and support .

[Elibean]

bfg, I'm sorry to hear that - hope you have some news soon, and that its positive.

Topsy, just to add to your (wonderful!) positive outlook - I know two ladies who are still living full lives (admittedly with sporadic treatment, which means some less full days) with secondary bone and lung mets from BC, after ten and eight years respectively. Things are a lot less gloomy than they used to be

[topsyturner]

Thanks for that elibean . It's always good to hear this sort of thing .
I have accepted that life might be a little more difficult than I have been used to , but it's still life

[bigfatgypsy]

Thank you for your post topsy and for being so open and honest, it must be incredibly difficult for you and I wish you every hope and prayer that your treatment is helping.

[topsyturner]

Thanks BFG .
Treatment is helping and I am doing well right now .
And I think that's the main point for you to remember . No matter how dire the initial diagnosis is , there is always something that can help (maybe not cure , but life extending treatment is coming on in leaps and bounds) .