Doctor Insights

Compare what your doctors have recommended and understand their reasoning.

Treatment Sequence

Your doctors have discussed different approaches to sequencing your treatment. Dr. Park recommends starting with chemoradiation, while Dr. Torres suggests considering surgery after neoadjuvant therapy.

Your Doctors' Perspectives

SP

Dr. Sarah Park

Medical Oncologist
Memorial Cancer Center
Next: Nov 19, 2024

Suggests

Concurrent chemoradiation (carboplatin/paclitaxel with radiation) followed by durvalumab consolidation therapy for 12 months

Reasoning

This is the standard of care approach for unresectable Stage IIIA NSCLC based on the PACIFIC trial. Given your good performance status and the tumor's location, this approach offers the best balance of tumor control and manageable side effects. The PD-L1 expression of 45% suggests you may respond well to immunotherapy consolidation.

Last visit: Nov 7, 2024

MT

Dr. Michael Torres

Thoracic Surgeon
University Medical Center

Suggests

Consider surgical resection (lobectomy) after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy with carboplatin/pemetrexed plus pembrolizumab

Reasoning

With the KRAS G12C mutation, newer targeted therapies like sotorasib could be incorporated. The CheckMate 816 trial showed improved outcomes with neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery. If we achieve good tumor shrinkage, surgery could offer better long-term disease control. Your tumor may be resectable with the right approach.

Last visit: Nov 11, 2024

JW

Dr. Jennifer Walsh

Radiation Oncologist
Memorial Cancer Center

Suggests

Definitive radiation therapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) concurrent with chemotherapy

Reasoning

Radiation will be targeted to the primary tumor and involved lymph nodes. Modern techniques allow us to spare healthy lung tissue while delivering effective doses to the cancer. This is a well-tolerated approach with decades of supporting evidence.

Last visit: Nov 9, 2024

Both approaches are medically valid

Your doctors are offering different paths based on their expertise and the latest evidence. There isn't necessarily a "right" or "wrong" choice—it's about what's best for your specific situation, values, and preferences.

Your Treatment Planning Meeting on November 19th with Dr. Park is a great opportunity to discuss these approaches and ask questions. You can also request a multidisciplinary tumor board review where all your doctors discuss your case together.

Questions You Might Ask

  • 1What factors specific to my case make one approach potentially better than the other?
  • 2What are the risks and benefits of each approach for my situation?
  • 3Are there clinical trials that might be relevant to my case?
  • 4How would the KRAS G12C mutation affect each treatment approach?

It's natural to have questions when doctors offer different perspectives. Your curiosity is a strength.