Lung Cancer case asking for advices

Dear all,

The attached are the reports of my sister’s current situation about her
lung-cancer.  We are in Hong Kong.  
Could anyone offer me some ideas about the following questions:
1. Any chance for prolong survival in the future?
2. What kind of treatment is probably suitable for her at this stage?
3. Any possibility of being cured?

Thanks a lot.

Tsui YF

——- Attached ——
All of the three reports dated at 13 06 95
_Report 1_

Clinical history:
  Chronic cough. CXR showed multiple nodular shadows.
  Diagnosis: Carcinomatosis.  Bronchoscopy showed RUL bronchus
  narrowed.  
Surgical procedure:
  Bronchoscopy
Nature of specimen:
  Bronchial biopsy.
Macroscopic examination:
  Four partly haemorrhagic soft tissue nodules 0.2cm. in diameter
  each. All embedded.
Microscopic examination:
  Sections show fragments of a poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma
  among blood clots.  There is invasion into bronchial mucosa.
Diagnosis:
  Bronchial biopsy – poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma.

_Report 2_

Clinical history:
  Previous no. 95-2020.  Chronic cough.  Bronchial biopsy
  (B95/04637).  CRX: Multiple nodular shadows. DX- ? Ca. RUL
  bronchus narrowed.  Aspirate – Colourless, clear, 5ml.
  Bronchial aspirate.
Cytological Examination:
  The bronchial aspirate consists of small numbers of inflammatory
  cells, desquamated bronchial epithelial cells and malignant cells
  arranged in clusters consistent with adenocarcinoma.
Diagnoisis:
  Bronchial aspirate – poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells
  present.

 _Report 3_

Clinical history:
  Cough for 1/12. CXR showed multiple nodular shadows for 1/12.
  Right supraclavicular lymph node+.  Aspirate yielded necrotic
  tissue.  DX: Carcinomatoisis.
Surgical procedure:
  Needle aspiration of cervical lymph node.
Macroscopic examination:
  Haemorrhagic soft tissue fragments in total about 1/2 ml. by
  volume.  All embedded.
Microscopic examination:  
  Sections show mostly necrotic tissue.  Scanty clusters of
  poorly-differentiated carcinoma cells are present.
Diagnosis:
  Aspiration biopsy (cervical lymph node) – Poorly-differentiated
  adenocarcinoma.

_Report 4_

Clincial history:
  Cough 1/12. CXR – multiple nodular shadows.  Right
  supraclavicular lymph node+.  Aspirate yielded necrotic tissue.
  Diagnosis: Carcinomatosis. FNA – 4 smears.
Nature of specimen:
  FNA of cervical lymph node.
Cytological examination:
  Smears of the cervical lymph node aspirate show the presence of
  occasional clusters of large polymorphic carcinoma cells.  Some of
  these cells have abundant foamy cytoplasm, most consistent with
  metastatic poorly-differentiated adenocarinoma.
Diagnosis:
  FNA (cervical lymph node – Metastatic carcinoma.

3 Responses to “Lung Cancer case asking for advices”

  1. admin says:

    Dear Tsui, With positive cervical lymph nodes, surgery is no
    longer an option. Adenocarcinomas are unfortunately fast growing
    tumors, with survival usually measured in weeks to months.
    Depending on many factors–ie symptoms, relative health, age and
    desires, a patient may choose chemotherapy to cause a temporary
    remission, and thus some period of comfortable time.  Radiation
    therapy could also be utilized along with or alone to control the
    blockage of the bronchus by tumor. This is useful if the blockage
    is causing additional problems like coughing up blood or
    pneumonia.  I have not heard of cases of cure… but you never
    know! H2


    H2

  2. admin says:

    just would like to add that radiotherapy is often used if a patient
    starts having any bony or rib pains.  Like H2, there’s no curative
    therapy currently available, but one never kows.  until then, she should
    be as comfortable as possible.

    sheri cohen, md
    sf, ca

    Howard Homler (76212…@CompuServe.COM) wrote:

    : Dear Tsui, With positive cervical lymph nodes, surgery is no
    : longer an option. Adenocarcinomas are unfortunately fast growing
    : tumors, with survival usually measured in weeks to months.
    : Depending on many factors–ie symptoms, relative health, age and
    : desires, a patient may choose chemotherapy to cause a temporary
    : remission, and thus some period of comfortable time.  Radiation
    : therapy could also be utilized along with or alone to control the
    : blockage of the bronchus by tumor. This is useful if the blockage
    : is causing additional problems like coughing up blood or
    : pneumonia.  I have not heard of cases of cure… but you never
    : know! H2

    : —
    : H2

  3. admin says:

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    drsh…@netcom.com (Sheri Cohen) wrote:
    >just would like to add that radiotherapy is often used if a patient
    >starts having any bony or rib pains.  Like H2, there’s no curative
    >therapy currently available, but one never kows.  until then, she should
    >be as comfortable as possible.
    >sheri cohen, md
    >sf, ca
    >Howard Homler (76212…@CompuServe.COM) wrote:
    >: Dear Tsui, With positive cervical lymph nodes, surgery is no
    >: longer an option. Adenocarcinomas are unfortunately fast growing
    >: tumors, with survival usually measured in weeks to months.
    >: Depending on many factors–ie symptoms, relative health, age and
    >: desires, a patient may choose chemotherapy to cause a temporary
    >: remission, and thus some period of comfortable time.  Radiation
    >: therapy could also be utilized along with or alone to control the
    >: blockage of the bronchus by tumor. This is useful if the blockage
    >: is causing additional problems like coughing up blood or
    >: pneumonia.  I have not heard of cases of cure… but you never
    >: know! H2
    >: —
    >: H2

    I am interested and concerned to see that surgery is no longer
    considered an option. with lung Cancer.  My father survived having had
    both lungs operated to remove tumours. The second was close to the
    Bronchus and he was sent home to die.  His lung haemorraged that night
    and he was rushed back to Papworth hospital in England and operated
    on.

    Could you let us know why lung tumours are now inoperable, whereas
    twenty years ago they were carried out with success.  My father lived
    for fourteen year after the first op and five years after the second.
    It must be admitted, however, that his quality of life after the
    second op was not good. Principally, I believe because he was left
    with both lungs short of capacity. Despite that, I know he wanted to
    live as long as he could.  He finally died in 1991, his strength
    having been finally overcome.

    Many thanks,

    Nick
    Snail:
    Internet Events,
    64-66 Gardiner Street Lower,
    Dublin 1
    Voice : 01 836 5866
    Fax   : 01 836 5216
    e.mail n…@internet-eireann.ie
    http://www.internet-eireann.ie/i-events

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