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Joan M · 11-09-2011, 07:47 PM

I had a wedge resection, which is usually the procedure for a lung metastasis. Lobectomies are generally reserved for lung cancer. But that might be changing. Also, not sure what you mean by a lobectomy with a scope. I had VATS. After my resection, the tumor reappeared a year later and I had an RFA, and I often wondered whether I should've had radiation to the area after the VATS. But nobody mentioned it, and I didn't think to ask. I was at a metastatic breast cancer conference recently, and I asked a thoracic surgeon whether it would have been possible to do that. He said, yes. However, you seem to be talking about doing either surgery or radiation. What are the side effects of radiation to the lung? Among other things, it probably depends on the location of the tumor. That would be an issue I'd check into.

11-09-2011, 07:47 PM	#22
Joan M Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,851	Re: Lung met question I had a wedge resection, which is usually the procedure for a lung metastasis. Lobectomies are generally reserved for lung cancer. But that might be changing. Also, not sure what you mean by a lobectomy with a scope. I had VATS. After my resection, the tumor reappeared a year later and I had an RFA, and I often wondered whether I should've had radiation to the area after the VATS. But nobody mentioned it, and I didn't think to ask. I was at a metastatic breast cancer conference recently, and I asked a thoracic surgeon whether it would have been possible to do that. He said, yes. However, you seem to be talking about doing either surgery or radiation. What are the side effects of radiation to the lung? Among other things, it probably depends on the location of the tumor. That would be an issue I'd check into. __________________ Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!