dad with recurrent SCLC...Why steroids?

gokce · New User Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Turkey

Hi everyone..

I am a college teaching assistant in Turkey and recently came across this forum. My dad, 55, heavy smoker for 30 years, got prognosed SCLC on 13th May 2005 and got two chemos and a radiation theraphy. Now, after the second chemo, dad has various metastatis on his brain, spine,lymph nodes and lung . A week ago suddenly he has started to walk and move harder than usual. He has fatigue and breathes hard. He has back pain constantly and got two sticker-like pain relievers on his back and takes some more orally. The doctor prescribed morphine shots and a stereoid depot to be vaccinated every 15 days. Now, could anyone tell me what does this mean? Is there nothing left to do for my father? Why steroids?

I myself have been on a deppression treatment for three months and have difficulty to understand the secret code of doctors. Please help me..
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gökce

bmdixon · New User Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 4

I'm sorry about your dad. I know it's very hard. I don't know for sure, but perhaps the steroids are given to help with the pain. My father has SCLC now recurrent in the bone and is given steroids before his chemo treatment to help prevent any side affects he may have. I know that people do receive steroids for other illness having to do with pain management. This may be an additional method used to help manage his pain.

Continue to keep up with your depression meds. Do you see a counselor? Perhaps if you do they could help you decipher what the doctors are saying.
Also, check to see if your dad's doctor has an assistant or nurse practitioner that would be willing to speak to you. We tried that with my dad and she was very helpful in answering a lot of questions for us. Be sure to continue taking care of yourself so you can be a help to your dad.

Above all, don't give up hope!

mopnglo42 · New User Joined: 09 Feb 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Ohio

Gokce,

I'm sorry to hear of your dad. Steroids (decadron, solumedrol, prednisone, etc) are given to cancer patients for a number of reasons. One of the reasons is to help decrease inflammation and swelling. Tumor cells have a tendency to cause swelling and inflamation. For an example: When a person has a brain tumor (or metastatis to the brain), the tumor is taking up room inside the skull. The skull has no way of expanding, so there is an increased pressure/inflammation on brain tissue. Depending on where the tumor is in the brain determines the side effects (trouble talking, walking, swallowing, etc). Also, tumors are "leaky", they seep fluid (which also takes up space) and causes swelling. Steroids (decadron) help the tumor cells to "stick together" so they don't seep so much fluid -->helps to decrease swelling.
Steroids are also given as an adjunct to antiemetics for persistant nausea/vomiting.

Hope this helps with the steroid question.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

I generally agree with the above comments. Steroids have mutiple uses including for any kind of spinal or brain mets. As stated above, the anti-inflammatory effects are the main reason. Steroids can also be used to increase people moods and appetite. Another effect is for anti-nausea. Steroids can have side effects such as insomnia or hyperactivity, weight gain and fluid retention, people are more prone to infections, causes osteoperosis. However, it sounds as if your father's time is limited and these shouldn't be of significant concern.

RLee, MD
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RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

gokce · New User Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Turkey

Thank you all for your help. Unfortunately my father gets worse day by day. He started forgetting words and names of people. He has difficulty in walking and talking. We are in contact with his doctor and the nurse but..We'll see the doctor this week again and see what he has to say .. Does anyone know what comes next?
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gökce

brainman

gokce, I am so sorry to hear about your father. Unfortunately, SCLC, especially if has metastasized, has a very poor prognosis (outlook). As you have already been told by others, the steroids are to reduce swelling or inflammation. In your father’s case, the inflammation of the brain is the most quality of life impacting issue. The morphine is to control the pain. Both the inflammation in the brain and morphine could explain your father’s weakness.

There is a saying here in the USA: “Plan for the worse. Expect the best.” That is my recommendation to you. Do those things that have to be done. Talk to and spend time with your father. Help him to enjoy those things which he can still enjoy.

My thoughts are with you, gokce, and with your father.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
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