That's a really important question, and it's one worth discussing closely with your oncologist since recurrence rates can vary based on several personal factors like stage, overall health, and treatment history.
Generally speaking, lobectomy is the standard surgical treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer Show Full Answer
That's a really important question, and it's one worth discussing closely with your oncologist since recurrence rates can vary based on several personal factors like stage, overall health, and treatment history.
Generally speaking, lobectomy is the standard surgical treatment for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including adenocarcinoma. While it offers a strong chance of removing the cancer, recurrence is still possible.
For adenocarcinoma specifically, the five-year relative survival rates are estimated as:
- Localized cases — 63%
- Regional cases — 35%
- Distant cases — 7%
- All stages combined — 25%
These are estimates and don't account for specific mutations like KRAS G12C. When it comes to the KRAS G12C mutation specifically, there are now targeted therapies available that can help manage recurrence or progression after initial treatment:
- Sotorasib (Lumakras) — FDA-approved in 2021 for NSCLC with KRAS G12C mutations, used after at least one prior treatment
- Adagrasib (Krazati) — FDA-approved in 2022 for stage 3 or 4 NSCLC with KRAS G12C mutations, also used after prior therapy
Having a KRAS G12C mutation actually means there are targeted treatment options available if recurrence does happen, which is genuinely good news. It's worth asking your oncologist about monitoring plans post-lobectomy and whether these therapies might be relevant to your situation.
July 4
Join
Your Privacy Choices
