r/lungcancer • u/SnooComics3038 • 14h ago
Can you help decipher these notes?
Hi there, my dad was recently diagnosed with lung cancer at least stage 3. We’ve done all the tests and at a basic level I’ve been told his tumor is 6.3cm in diameter on upper right lung, nsclc squamous cell. I accessed his notes after the radio onco told me they suggested chemoradiation, but what exactly does this mean?
Doctor notes: “Discussed his case in Thoracic multidisciplinary tumor board, aside from large RULprimary, also bulky R hilar and 2R avid nodes, and suspicious 4R and 7 nodes, suggestive of multistation bulky N2 disease. Consensus was to proceed with EBUS and chemoradiation”
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u/Wyde1340 Stage 4 Squamous NSCLC w/MET amplification 13h ago
Most notes are talking about spots that lit up on a CT or PET scan. The EBUS is an Endobronchial Ultrasounds. PDL1 TPS95% means he likely could do immunotherapy.
I will let you know that I was dx Stage 4 squamous non-small cell lung cancer in December 2018.
Make sure they do biomarker testing. I had biomarker testing and found that I had a mutation. I'm on targeted therapy and have been stable for over 6 years.
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u/WanderlustPartyof4 11h ago
what targeted therapy are you on?
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u/Wyde1340 Stage 4 Squamous NSCLC w/MET amplification 10h ago
I have MET amplification mutation and i am on Crizotinib (Xalkori).
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u/missmypets 11h ago
Chemoradiation means that they will be done at the same time rather than one preceding the other. The advantage is that this is the most aggressive attack possible. There is a synergistic effect when done this way. Think 1+1=3. The chemo softens the DNA making the radiation more effective and the radiation destroys the DNA making the chemo more effective.
This combination can be debilitating but your dad's overall health is a factor in offering this option. I went through this in 2010 for my stage 4 lung cancer, it was expected to extend my life for two years. My oncologist is thrilled with the way I responded.
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u/SnooComics3038 20m ago
I am so happy for you, how was your experience with chemo + radiation treatments concurrently?
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u/SnooComics3038 13h ago
Forgot to mention the diagnosis note:
69-year-old man with a new diagnosis of cT4 N2 right lung squamous cell carcinoma, PD-L1 TPS95%.
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u/FlyingFalcon1954 6h ago edited 5h ago
71 year old male USA. I am practically the twin diagnoses as roxboronc with some differences in treatment. Stage 3b squamous cell negative PD-L 1 in November of 2024. Bulky 6 cm hilar/mediastintial tumor impacting both main bronchi and heart and associated lymphadenopathy with two smaller PET avid nodules in right upper/plural lung lobe. My treatment has been 5 rounds of chemo carboplatin + paclitaxel with immune therapy opdivo +yervoy. Finished treatment of chemo on April 17, 2025 as I continue with Yervoy once a month until Jan.15,2026 (two years total).
PET scan May 15,2025 declared essential metabolic resolution of all cancer and associated lymphadenopathy. NED = no evidence of disease. CT scan of June 15,2025 confirmss NED. I start delayed consolidation IMRT radiation to initial tumor sites on September 15,2025 for 30 rounds over 6 weeks to sterilize any possible remaining microscopic cells .
As to your dad he has RUL and right hilar(between lungs) tumors like me except my large tumor was hilar. They have found other suspicious nodes that may or may not be cancer hence they are described as "suspicious". Your dad is recommended the gold standard course of treatment after his case was presented to the "tumor board" meaning his treatment has been reviewed and recommended by a group of specialists. He will undergo both chemo and radiation simultaneously.
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u/SnooComics3038 17m ago
Thank you so much!! I’ve actually read every single one of your posts in the past 2 months haha congratulations and keep kicking ass
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u/roxboronc 11h ago edited 11h ago
I was diagnosed with NSCLC 3b squamous cell carcinoma and negative PDL-1 in June 2024. I was given 30 radiation treatments and 6 chemo treatments. I began immunotherapy September 2024. August 20 2025 was my last of 12 immunotherapy (durvalumab) treatments. My last two CT scans show NED. I am in the US and a 72 year old male.