Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

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claudine
Posts: 809
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:41 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

Postby claudine » Wed May 19, 2021 2:06 pm

This question has popped up on the forum before... I think most US surgeons will draw the line around 8, but there's one in Germany who will go after more (I can never remember his name). From my husband's experience, when there are many small nodules scattered around the treatment of choice is chemo, because the disease is deemed systemic and going after what's currently visible could miss what's not visible yet. It only took a few cycles of Folfiri + Avastin to clear my husband's lungs. But believe me, I totally understand your desire to nuke/freeze/obliterate those nodules!
Wife of Dx 04/18 (51 yo). MSS, KRAS G12A, no primary

Tumors: L4 04/18; left adrenal gland & small lung nodules 03/19
rectum 02/22 (pT3 pN0 stage 2A); L3 09/22

Surgeries: intestinal resect. 05/18 (no cancer - Crohn's); adrenalectomy 02/20
L3-L4-L5 fusion and corpectomy 05/20; LAR 04/22; ileo reversal 09/22
L2-L3 fusion and corpectomy 09/22

Treatments: EBRT 04/18; SBRT 02/19; Failed adjuvant Xelox ; Folfiri/Avastin 03/19 - 01/20
adjuvant chemorad (Xeloda) 06/22; SBRT 11/22; Xeloda/Avastin since 01/24

claudine
Posts: 809
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:41 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

Postby claudine » Wed May 19, 2021 2:22 pm

No biopsy - they were noticed on a March 2019 scan, and going back to the January PET scan they were already there, but too small to "light up". We weren't given a number, just that there was "a multitude" in both lungs, varying in size from 1mm to 5mm. By the next scan 3 months later there were still a few but the largest ones had shrunk. His most recent scan report (March 18) says "There are several tiny less than 4 mm diameter nodular opacities in both lungs which are stable." The previous scan (December 17) said "Stable 2 mm nodule in the right upper lobe. Stable 2 mm nodule in the right upper lobe. Perifissural nodule in the right lower lobe, a benign finding. Subpleural nodule in the right lower lobe measures 3 mm, likely unchanged. Stable 2 mm nodule in the right lower lobe. Subpleural nodule in the left lower lobe measures 2 mm, unchanged."

His oncologist doesn't even mention his lungs anymore.
Wife of Dx 04/18 (51 yo). MSS, KRAS G12A, no primary

Tumors: L4 04/18; left adrenal gland & small lung nodules 03/19
rectum 02/22 (pT3 pN0 stage 2A); L3 09/22

Surgeries: intestinal resect. 05/18 (no cancer - Crohn's); adrenalectomy 02/20
L3-L4-L5 fusion and corpectomy 05/20; LAR 04/22; ileo reversal 09/22
L2-L3 fusion and corpectomy 09/22

Treatments: EBRT 04/18; SBRT 02/19; Failed adjuvant Xelox ; Folfiri/Avastin 03/19 - 01/20
adjuvant chemorad (Xeloda) 06/22; SBRT 11/22; Xeloda/Avastin since 01/24

claudine
Posts: 809
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:41 pm
Location: Montana

Re: Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

Postby claudine » Wed May 19, 2021 2:49 pm

In my husband's case there was no doubt that they were tiny mets, so there was never mention of biopsy; he had a large adrenal met at the same time, so we knew his cancer was spreading.
I hope you get good response, either they're not cancer or if they are, that they disappear with treatment!
Wife of Dx 04/18 (51 yo). MSS, KRAS G12A, no primary

Tumors: L4 04/18; left adrenal gland & small lung nodules 03/19
rectum 02/22 (pT3 pN0 stage 2A); L3 09/22

Surgeries: intestinal resect. 05/18 (no cancer - Crohn's); adrenalectomy 02/20
L3-L4-L5 fusion and corpectomy 05/20; LAR 04/22; ileo reversal 09/22
L2-L3 fusion and corpectomy 09/22

Treatments: EBRT 04/18; SBRT 02/19; Failed adjuvant Xelox ; Folfiri/Avastin 03/19 - 01/20
adjuvant chemorad (Xeloda) 06/22; SBRT 11/22; Xeloda/Avastin since 01/24

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

Postby stu » Wed May 19, 2021 4:33 pm

It’s Dr Drews in Germany who does multiple lung lesions with laser surgery . There are threads with updates from previous forum members who have travelled to have it .
Think that was the name !!!
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Maximum Number Of Lung Nodules That Can Be Ablated?

Postby stu » Thu May 20, 2021 3:07 am

It’s just so hard but I am holding out for a good treatment plan for you . They are tiny and hopefully better news after treatment !
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .


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