Unknown Primary

chigrl · New User Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 1

My 67 yr old brother has been diagnosed with CUP, with metastasis to lymph nodes and several bones: ribs, sternum, spine, shoulder blade and upper arm bone. Also mets to liver and one lung is suspected. Mild ascites is present. he will start palliative chemo in a few days. What can I expect in terms of prognosis? It has not been shared with me, but surely it must be more in terms of months or weeks, not years. Also, when would someone go for Hospice care? Thank you.

brainman · Posted: Wed May 16, 2007 3:27 am Post subject: Re: Unknown Primary

Hi chigrl,

I am very sorry for your brother's condition. No one can say for sure how long your brother has. The fact that it is so wide spreed and that the doctors are only using chemotherapy for palliative measures are not good signs. I suggest that you ask his medical team.

In the mean time, or even despite their prognosis, I would recommend that you help your brother find quality in whatever time he has left. Ask him if he would like to go somewhere special or see an old friend he has not seen in years and do whatever you can to make those dreams come true. Act like this is the only day he was guaranteed to live and help it to be a day to remember.

I will keep you and your brother in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
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
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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

chigrl,
Cancer of unknown primary is one of the most frustrating situations. It's hard to say what the future will be, but it sounds like hospice care would be appropriate. Hospice is considered for patients who have a >50% chance of dying in the next 6 months. Best wishes and let us know if you have any more questions.
_________________
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.

Kippi · New User Joined: 24 Nov 2006 Posts: 2

Hi, in terms of survival time, my son too had this disease about as widespread as you described. After diagnosis, he lived 17 months. The docs. estimated only 12. God bless you.
_________________
Kippi Morton

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Other Cancers Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others