I have cancer in the lower lobe of the right lung with 18mm cell and would like to know what procedure is best, keyhole surgery, laser or radiotherapy? I hope someone in the community can share their experience.
I had that. I got a lower right VATS lobectomy this January just gone. I'm already walking good distances (uphill!) and have just re-started (light!) weight training to aid my recovery. I'm 70 yrs old. The scar is about 4 inches long and about 6 inches south of my armpit, when it has faded it will be barely noticeable. Pain meds (oxycodone) took care of the discomfort and I was off them after a month. At the time it was a really big deal - of course, it's major surgery. Now, however, it feels like I've had worse times at the dentist.
Surgery will include removal of neighbouring lymph nodes. That's needed to confirm no further spread. Can't do that with other types of treatment. Surgery also lets the doc say "cancer free" rather than "wait and see" - always good to know. And it gives the team a sample to pop under the microscope to find out what they really need to know to treat you in the future, if needed. It's not called gold standard for nothing.
Your oncologist will recommend what achieves the best outcome.
Hope this helps, and whatever you choose turns out right for you.
Thank you for your feedback, which is very helpful. Pleased that you have recovered well. My doctor recommended single keyhole surgery to resection the affected lung. I had lung function test on Thursday and lung capacity was FEV1 at 56%, which is well below the average 74%. So, I am not quite sure I am considered fit enough being 74 years for the surgery. I am waiting for the doctor to let me know what is the next step.
I am a non-smoker and the cause could be have been using AirSense 10 CPAP for sleep apnoea for 3 years. I realised this morning I have been inhaling the black flecks that appeared on the humidifier that could cause cancer as it happened to Philip CPAP that was reported in the news back in 2021.
