Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of MyLungCancerTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I was just diagnosed with early stage 1 lung cancer. Small nodule only 1.4 cm. My dilemma is do I do 20% lung removal or radiation.

A MyLungCancerTeam Member asked a question 💭
New York, NY
January 12
 · 
Reactions
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

Thank you so much for your input! Happy you’re doing well!

January 12
A MyLungCancerTeam Member

I decided against surgery, and went with SBRT . Three years ago.
Best decision I ever made. Why put yourself thru all the misery and long recovery of major surgery.
With SBRT you have no change in lifestyle. I had 5 zaps and done. No pain, no side effects, no further treatment. I was stage 2b, 2 nodules, about 1 cm each.
Best wishes, whatever you decide. 🙏

January 12
MyLungCancerTeam

What are the best treatment options for early stage 1 lung cancer with a small 1.4 cm nodule: surgery or radiation?

This is a significant decision, and both options can be effective for early-stage lung cancer. Here's what to consider:

Surgery (20% lung removal) is often the preferred first-line treatment for stage 1 lung Show Full Answer

What are the best treatment options for early stage 1 lung cancer with a small 1.4 cm nodule: surgery or radiation?

This is a significant decision, and both options can be effective for early-stage lung cancer. Here's what to consider:

Surgery (20% lung removal) is often the preferred first-line treatment for stage 1 lung cancer when you're healthy enough for the procedure. For a small nodule like yours, this would likely be a segmentectomy or wedge resection, removing just a small part of the lung. Surgery offers the advantage of completely removing the tumor and allowing doctors to check surrounding tissue and lymph nodes.

Radiation therapy, specifically stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), is a highly precise option that can be just as effective as surgery for early-stage disease. Recent studies show comparable outcomes between radiation and surgery for early-stage lung cancer. This might be preferred if surgery poses higher risks due to other health conditions or lung function concerns.

Factors your doctor will consider:
* Your overall health and lung function
* Location of the nodule
* Other medical conditions you may have
* Your personal preferences
* How much healthy lung tissue would remain after surgery

A MyLungCancerTeam member shared being diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer with no symptoms and successfully underwent robotic lung resection, removing about 10% of their lung with good results.

Talk with your oncologist about both options and ask about your specific situation, including any risks and expected outcomes for each approach.

January 12

Related Questions

View All

Can anyone tell me why my surgeon is recommending surgery instead of chemo/radiation

A MyLungCancerTeam Member asked a question 💭
Palm Coast, FL
September 3, 2022

How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Small Cell Lung Cancer vs. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: 8 Differences
Stage 1 Lung Cancer: What To Expect
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data and Privacy policies.
Already a member? Log In