Lung Cancer

[tcarver]

My husband was going to have lung surgery yesterday, but they stopped with the lymph nodes and closed up. What does Stage 3b mean. And the prognosis? We are clueless and scared.

Thanks for any truthful help.

[ngtc9]

[quote="tcarver"]My husband was going to have lung surgery yesterday, but they stopped with the lymph nodes and closed up. What does Stage 3b mean. And the prognosis? We are clueless and scared.

Thanks for any truthful help.[/quote]

Dear Tcarver,
I will provide you with what I know as my mother-in-law has also been diagnosed for 3B lung cancer. Generally Stage 3b are given when the size of timor is around 3cm and the pleura effusion (fuild) has set in, and the cancer cells has already metastasis or spread to the opposite-side of the lung and/or already affecting the lympn nodes.

The prognosis of 3b is quite poor unfortunately and we are talking about 6-12 months, however 5-10% may survive more than 1-3 years. I guess it has to depend on his/her age and the types of drugs given.

My in-law was on a targetted drugs called Iressa instead of chemo due to her age (she is 82) as these drugs seem to have lesser side effects. You should discuss with your doctor on the various options and give him the best option possible.

You have posted this in Mar 2009 wonder how is your husband now? Take care.

NTC