New Lung Mets ... VATs/Chemo advice?

[DebZ]

I just can't catch a break. My latest scans as a follow-up to my January surgery found 9 lung nodules. One was noted way back in fall of 2014 as a watch and see (and never spoken of again). They are unfortunately scattered throughout both lungs and measure from 3 mm to 7 mm.

My oncologist wants to start FOLFIRI with Avastin next week and see if there is a change (Avastin would be new for me and I tolerated FOLFIRI very well alhtough lost about half my hair). No mention of potential surgery. Without saying it, he acts like there's no real hope and I'll be on chemo for life.

Anybody with advice or experience with this situation? Would VATS be an option if scattered throughout? Should surgery come before chemo at this point? I called Sloan hoping to get in for second opinion with Dr. K but they said she's not taking new patients, and the center isn't taking anyone who lives further than 2 hours away. Seems crazy.

[Lordswood77]

Is radio frequency ablation an option?

I've just had two VATS ops and was told that they can only do so many ops on my lungs I don't think it's suitable for multiple nodules

Hope you get that second opinion

[midlifemom]

Deb,
I am seen by Dr Kemeny.
I was told I have too many lung mets for surgery. I don't know the exact number that I have.

[Mastan]

There are a few of us that went to Germany to have many mets resected with a laser. I had 8 removed from one lung and 6 from the other. This was done because with that number of mets, no one in the states is willing to tackle that job. I had it done two years ago. It is a difference in treatment philosophy. At the very least the German approach buys you more time in my opinion.

[miller1644]

There are a few of us that went to Germany to have many mets resected with a laser. I had 8 removed from one lung and 6 from the other. This was done because with that number of mets, no one in the states is willing to tackle that job. I had it done two years ago. It is a difference in treatment philosophy. At the very least the German approach buys you more time in my opinion.

Where in Germany? Thank you in advance.

[Mastan]

I had the procedure at the University Clinic in Freiburg Germany. The surgeon was Prof. Bernward Passlick. That procedure is done at a variety of Hospitals in Germany. I happen to know some folks in Freiburg so that played into my choice of the location. That coupled with the fact that I am not remotely fluent in German and many people in Freiburg are fluent in English including Prof. Passlick and many of the hospital staff.