Mom has stage IV metastatic lung cancer from 1 cm lung tumor

heathwill2000 · New User Joined: 18 Aug 2005 Posts: 2

My 64 year old mom was just diagnosed with stage iv lung cancer. She had been having pain in her leg to the point where she could hardly walk. My dad took her to the ER in the middle of July 05 where they did an xray and ultrasound on her leg, plus blood work. She was told it was nothing serious and that she should follow up with her family doctor. The following day her family doctor ordered an MRI of her leg. They found a tumor about the size of a blackboard erasor in her femur. The first oncologist said it was a tumor that started in the muscle next to her femur, but he ordered a CT scan from the neck down just to be sure. She then saw an orthopedic surgeon the following day who looked at the CT pics (he did not yet have the report from the radiologist). Surgeon said he didn't see anything of concern on the CT scan. Radiologist report comes in and says there is a 1 cm spot on her lung plus several spots on her adrenal glands. Surgeon did biopsy on leg tumor and diagnosis is stage iv lung cancer that has spread to her bone and adrenal glands. The treatment plan is to put a pin in her leg to stabilize the bone (she can hardly walk right now and big fear is that she will break her leg), then radiation on the leg, then chemo.

I'm sorry I do not have the details about the type of lung cancer. I just found out tonight after talking with my dad and I am still in shock and haven't talked about the specifics yet with him.

There is only one (1-cm) lung tumor and it did not show up on a chest xray that she had, only on the CT scan. I have not been able to find much on tumor size and the severity of lung cancer. Does anyone have any info? My mom has smoked for about 40 years.

Also, can someone please explain to me why metastatic lung cancer cannot be cured? I just can't seem to find any info on why and how this cancer works. Why can't the leg tumor be radiated and removed, the small lung tumor removed, and the adrenal glands removed? Is it just that the cancer is everywhere or what? I'm just not understanding how all this cancer spreads.

I live over 1,000 miles away from my parents. I went to see my mom last weekend and I am going again in a couple of weeks (and the airfares were outrageous). Does anyone know of any airlines that offer discounted fares for these situations? I would like to take her 3 only grandchildren to see her before she dies, but can't afford these expensive tickets. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, any words of encouragement should be greatly appreciated. I know we shouldn't be surprised after all these years of smoking, but it doesn't lessen the pain or make the tears stop. I am very close to my mom and talk to her every day on the phone (3 - 4 times a day since she has been sick). I am 36 years old and feel like I am 6 as I do not know how I am going to live my life without my mom. I love her so much.

Thanks,
Heather

mikes · Senior User Joined: 25 Jul 2005 Posts: 158

Heather,

Your mother's story is similar to my wife's. We also went to the ER for pain in her leg. The cat scan found a large tumor on her fibula and one in her lung.

80% of all lung cancer is Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The other 20% is Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Almost everything you read or hear about concerning lung cancer is NSCLC. NSCLC is a group of 4 types of lung cancer that use the same treatments etc. so they are grouped together.

After 20 radiation treatments, the tumor in her leg was completely gone. This is not without a price. It caused her leg to be hard and swollen. Later she got cellulitis on it. The next thing is to get medication to strengthen the bone so as to support her weight when walking. Even with the tumor in her leg being completely irradiated, she had to take tramadol, cataflam, and neurontin to control the pain.

The bone and adrenals are fairly common targets for this disease as is the brain.

We were not properly versed of the prognosis and alternative treatments as we should have been.

You should get a second opinion and explore alternative treatments because, as you seem to know, the conventional treatments are not curative.

There are a number of alternative treatments out there but most oncologists don't offer them. At least one of these treatments has a five year survival rate, but the trials for it are poorly documented according to the mainstream establishment.

In Stage IV there is usually no attempt to remove the primary tumor since the disease has already spread into the system.

My own opinion as to why this disease cannot be cured is because there has been little real effort to find the underlying cause. If the underlying cause were known, it would be much easier to find a cure.

curlyj · New User Joined: 22 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

Hi Heather,

I completely understand your pain. My mother is 63 and was diagnosed with stage IV Lung Cancer on 8/19/15. We were advised that it has moved to her Liver, Adrenial Glans, and bones.

We asked the doctor how much time she hand and we were not given an answer.

I am also unable to find information about life expectancy and or quality of life when there are multiple cancers found.

If you receive any information, or if anyone else out there knows anything PLEASE help.

Thanks. Jennifer

Lana8

Hi,
My sister was diagnosed with stage IV Lung Cancer on 4-27-05. The cancer was also in her liver, lymph nodes, brain etc. One lung had filled by May 30, 2005. I was called and went to be with her. She passed away on 6-11-05. She did not have any chem or radiation. She wanted her quality of life at the end knowing her children and husband. The cancer was inoperable. It is hard for doctors to give an answer to how long type of questions. It just depends on how your body reacts to the cancer. We did make a trip to the doctors office on 6-6-05 and I am sure he could tell her lungs were filling with fluid. The two last days were the hardest on her. She had a real bad neck ache. She was kept on pain medication every two hours the last day. God be with you and your families during this dealing with cancer. You are all in my prayers.

MPapailiou

Hi Heather,

Our situation is kind of similar. I'm 34 years old and my mother is 64. She was diagnosed with NSCLC one month ago. We found out about it when we were trying to find out what was a small swelling she has had on her forehead. It turned out to be bone metastasis. The cancer has already spread to her liver and doctors suspect glands and lymph nodes too.

We were also told that her case is inoperable. She has asked for the best quality life possible, for as long as she can have it... Now she is under chemotherapy. After the completion of 8 weeks they will run tests again. They maybe decide some radiation. They said that when a cancer has spread so much in the body, operations can only make the patient's life worse for their quality of life and the cancer won't stop. Chemo is the best way for the medicine to "visit" all parts of the body.

I'm taking days off work and financially I'm not doing fine, so I feel for you.

Hope the best for your mom, and for my mom and for everybody in here....

Mandy

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