VATS wedge resection (lung)

[Frwinkley]

Anyone with any experience with this surgery. Recovery? Hospital stay?

DH 62, former smoker, has been advised to have this done. He has a 1.1 x 1.5 nodule (negative during a PET scan) that they've been watching for 18 months. It has not changed significantly, but doc believes there has been some slight growth. Doctor says he will likely die of something else because this is so slow growing. Doctor presented his case to the tumor board and they all agreed it is best to have it removed since biopsy may be insufficient to prove whether it is benign or malignant. This was found incidentally during a low dose chest scan (covered by our insurance since he is a prior smoker).

DH is in excellent health, fit, active. Pulmonary function is excellent. Doctor feels he will recover easily from this surgery and will not need chemo or radiation.

My dad died of lung cancer. When they found his tumor, it was 7cm and inoperable. I know he would have jumped at the chance to have it removed. DH likes this plan and has wanted this out since it was first discovered. He's not one bit apprehensive--I'm a bit nervous. No surgery date has been set.

 

[leebee]

I have no experience here, but I'd do it. Nobody really knows with tumors, and the experts in tumor medicine at his medical facilty say "get rid of it." Why take the chance of it growing? Get rid of it while it's still an option. Best wishes to your DH and you, too; it's hard to go through this stuff with a loved one.

 

[princesscinderella]

I would trust his doctors advice to have it removed. Especially since it was presented to a board of doctors, it’s like a second, third and forth opinion all at one time. To you and your husband as you guys navigate this health journey.

 

[Frwinkley]

Thank you both. Yes, he will proceed with having it removed. His doctor, who is very cautious, said the exact same thing: You can never be too sure with a tumor. Much better to have it removed now.

 

[JLTraveling]

My dad was in surgery for a trapped kidney stone when they found a bladder tumor. Doctor came out to the waiting room and asked if they should remove it. He was positive it was cancerous, since they almost always are, and thought it was best to just take the whole thing rather than a biopsy. I said yes without thinking twice about it--better out than in! It turned out to be benign, which apparently is so rare with those tumors that the surgeon had never seen one. But it certainly didn't hurt anything to get it out, and I'd always rather be safe than sorry.

Sending you and your husband lots of hugs and positive energy as you navigate this journey!