Question:
I could some advice from the group on my upcoming treatment. I wasdiagnosed in August 2006 with lung cancer: stage 1B adenocarcenoma. CT Scanfound a 3 cm tumor in my left lung and 1 cm tumor in my right lung. Docsseemed puzzled as there was no sign of spreading from either so theorizedthey were independent primary tumors, rare, but not unheard of. I had mylower left lobe removed surgically in October, all went well with noevidence of spread or lymph node involvement.

Since my recovery from the last surgery went well, and my lung capacity ispretty good, I will be having lobectomy on my (upper lobe) right lung nextweek. This surgery, like the first, seems to be a no-brainer, just abouteveryone agrees it’s the best hope for a cure. Hopefully, this procedurewill remove the remainder of the cancer and I can begin healing.

My oncologist can’t wait to get me started on chemotherapy (Carbo andTaxol). This is where the choice does not seem as clear. It’s purposewould be precautionary, to kill any cancer cells that broke away to find anew home somewhere else in my body. Not all knowledgeable medicalprofessionals embrace the value of Chemo in this application. Some peoplebelieve a strong immune system is the best defense against the remainingrogue cells, not to mention the myriad nasty side effects Chemo can cause.I would prefer to try to enhance the ability of my immune system to fight,through diet and exercise, whereas Chemo will almost certainly compromise myimmune system at time it is most needed.

Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge, verifiable statistics or reportson the efficacy of using Chemo as an adjunct to apparently successful lungsurgery for cancer? Are there other targeted or immune system orientedtreatments that might have better results with fewer side effects?

Answer: Like you say, not unheard of. My lung adenocarcinoma follows by about ayear my squamous cell carcinoma of the epiglottis. It's not impossiblefor two primary cancers to happen. I don't have the citation right now, but while researching my own situationI found a mention that *without any other treatment than surgery*, therewould be a 50% chance of recurrence of the adenocarcinoma in a year or so.So I was quite happy to go take my chemo.