HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Is It Better To Treat A Stage Four Lung Cancer Tumor When It Is Smaller Or Larger And More Complex?

default
Posted on Tue, 21 Mar 2023
Question: Is it better to treat a stage four lung cancer tumor when it is smaller or larger and more complex?
chemo drugs used have been gemcitobine and cisplatin until I got gemsar lung and suffer a severe shortness of breathe. the Tumors were shrinking in size. Then i was switched to 5 fluorouracil and oxalyplatin and the tumors became progeresive. Now I am on alimta and avastin. My oncologist has ordered a biopsy to see if I can use an immunotherapy approach using keytruda in a clinical study instead of chemo therapy. Is there any truth to that treating a tumor when it is smaller is more efficacious than allowing the same tumor to triple in size before treatment begins. Are blood vessels more developed and complex in the larger tumor compared to the smaller tumor. When a tumor is more complex is it harder to treat? I am stage four NSCLC adenocarcinomaThanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
When the tumor is small it is easy to treat

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As you are suffering from stage 4 lung cancer type adenocarcinoma, your current treatment of Alimta and Avastin are on the right track and you need at least 3 cycles of it to see any results.

When the tumor is smaller in size it is obviously more easy to treat.

Role of immunotherapy in lung cancer is still under research and I'd advise you to continue with the chemotherapy.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Is It Better To Treat A Stage Four Lung Cancer Tumor When It Is Smaller Or Larger And More Complex?

Brief Answer: When the tumor is small it is easy to treat Detailed Answer: Hi, As you are suffering from stage 4 lung cancer type adenocarcinoma, your current treatment of Alimta and Avastin are on the right track and you need at least 3 cycles of it to see any results. When the tumor is smaller in size it is obviously more easy to treat. Role of immunotherapy in lung cancer is still under research and I'd advise you to continue with the chemotherapy. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards