Question & Answers With Dr. Baker Sugar

These are the questions that Mr. Sugarbaker by a patient in a surgical procedure mesothelioma in January 1997.

What exactly will be removed during the surgery?

The surgery is called extrapleural pneumonectomy. Is the elimination of the left lung, the parietal pleura (lining of the lung), ipsilateral pericardium (left of the inner wall of the heart), diaphragm, ipsilateral (left side of the diaphragm).

How many surgeries of this type for mesothelioma have you done?

250

Among these patients, which is the survival rate percentage?

average survival rate is 41 months.

Among patients who survived what the quality of life?

The quality of life for most patients was very normal, some have even returned to work. Patients should not be dependent on oxygen. Patients with epithelial cell type without lymph node have a survival rate of 74 years 5.2% to 39% response. (P. 288 of the study)

How long a hospital stay is required for this operation?

5-10 days of stay, unless there are complications.

How long does it take to recover after surgery?

The full recovery time is about one year.

How soon after surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy to start?

Chemotherapy will start around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. There will be three cycles of treatment. A cycle of Taxol, a cycle of carboplatin and so the last period with the two chemotherapeutic agents, followed by one month after radiotherapy. total turnaround time is 3 1 / 2 months and the recovery time.

Based on the test results of an MRI, cardiac ultrasound, and V / Q scan, the stage of cancer asbestos?

Phase I, because there is no evidence of lymph node involvement.

Based on surgery before November 15, 1996, how long to wait before having surgery again?

Surgery can be done now. They use the same incision site.

What are the risks associated with surgery?

Hemorrhage, respiratory failure, pneumonia, broken diaphragmatic patch, perforated duodenal ulcer, empyema (infection), upper gastrointestinal bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, death.

Based on additional tests, cancer is localized in the left lung?

Yes, there was no evidence of cancer of the chest wall, right lung, or diaphragm.