Question about NSCLC - Stage IV

asutcu1 · New User Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 3

My father has just been diagnosed with Stage IV - NSCLC - As I have read from a lot of others on this forum, we have also gotten diluted information. I know from reading other posts and a lot of research online that the average life span of someone who was diagnosed with this is 6 months - maybe 12. However his doctor is making him feel that he can beat this. I have a few questions:

1) When this cancer metastasizes does the lifespan of those affected depend on where the cancer has travelled? He is going in for a MRI to see if the cancer is in the brain, although the doctor doesnt think it has. His cancer is obviously in the lung and it has metastasized to the ribs. Is that why the doctor is saying 12-18 mos and longer if Chemo goes well??

2) He has a history of heart troubles (two bypasses), diabetes, and because of the cancer we have found out he has emphysema. Although he has these issues - he has been a relatively healthy guy and is really a young 72 years old. He does walk a mile a day - works out at the gym....what are the chances that the chemo could effect other health issues.

3) Also - because of the optimistic nature of the doctor - my father feels like this is a minor issue and that he could have years left if the chemo works. Now my two brothers and sister understand that if he makes it to Christmas it will be great and if he does he might be having a merry one. Two of us are of the thinking that he and my mother need to understand the seriousness of this disease. He doesn't. We know that he needs to be optimistic and have as much fight in him as possible....but he needs to know the real issues and not have people wearing kid gloves around him. Thoughts???

4) 2nd opinion - do most think that we should get one? He is thinking about getting one and going to the VA hospital? I am thinking that if we get one - we dont do it at the VA, we go to the Mayo Clinic (he just happens to be in Scottsdale) and get the best Oncologists to give the 2nd opinion. His doctor doesnt know when the cancer started, doesnt know where it started and cannot find the primary location of the cancer.

Any info could be helpful and much appreciated.

Thanks!

asutcu1 · New User Joined: 25 Mar 2006 Posts: 3

and to top it all off.........

1) I have another friend whos mother was diagosed about 1 months ago with Stage IV Lung that has metastasized to the Brain. She has been told 1-3 months.

2) One of my best friends last thursday was diagnosed with Lung Cancer with Bone Metastastes. She is in the hospital and was given weeks not months.

3) That same friend (who has been in remission for pancreatic cancer, is awaiting tests to see if his cancer has come out of remission).

Needless to say its been a "great week"

sheilakaye1948

I think it all depends on the individual. My husband's cancer was first found in the brain, that was in March 2003. They did surgery and removed the cancer. After several more tests they found that it had actually originated in the right lung. He had chemo and the cancer appeared gone. In 2004 another cancer appeared on the right lung and one on the liver. They did chemo and radiation and it worked. He was in remission until January this year when because of a recurring plueral and pericardial effussion, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to the heart. He has his bad days and his good days. He is still convinced that he can beat this. Our doctors say you can't really say how long a person has because it depends on that person's determination and my husband is the most stubborn man I know. Our kids call him Hercules. Actually the doctor says he has been in stage IV since the cancer was found in the brain. With it in the heart he says we may have 6 months but God has the final say. We trully trust our doctors and my husband doesn't feel comfortable with anyone else. It is an individual decision. If you would feel better getting a second opinion and he would too, then by all means that is what you should do.
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God Bless Sheilakaye

Anneli · Regular Joined: 14 Feb 2006 Posts: 13 Location: Finland

Hi asutcu1!

Since my father was diagnosed with lung cancer I've tried to read as much as I can about it on the net. During this time I've come across lots of guys who have been diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer many years ago and yet they are still alive. Those people seem to have had the same attitude towards it as your father. In other words if he's convinced that he can beat the cancer he might very well succeed in doing so!

MyDadStageIV · Regular Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 16

I know your looking for answers, but really I don't think there is a clear cut answer. I have asked and asked about life expectancy, spreading, what influences it, how can it be helped, etc. etc.

But, the only answer given is that it is different in almost every individual. Some are cured when the doctors say they cannot be. Others die suddenly when given 2 years or more. Many believe optimism helps, diet helps, being happy helps, but I have known the most determined to succumb and the biggest pessimist to survive and of course more often the other way around.

I say Make the most of each and every day and cherish what you have now since the future is unknown and go with the doctor's best educated guess. As far as the second opinion. If he has had a PET Scan then basically it is my information that it tells all. But, definitely make sure a PET Scan has been done and then feel free to get a second opinion on the care and treatment. My only caution is perhaps the wait time it possibly may take to actually be able to get that second opinion before treatment actually begins.

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