Username:    Password:      Remember me       

Cancer Forums

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

SearchSearch   DigestsEmail Digests     Register to postRegister to post   ProfileProfile   Check private messagesCheck private messages   Log inLog in 
Why is it too late to treat the lung cancer? What is this ?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lung Cancer Forum


Author
MrsT
New User


Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:53 pm    Post subject: Why is it too late to treat the lung cancer? Reply with quote
My dad has been diagnosed with lung cancer and recurrent pleural effusion. He has been receiving chemo which seemed to be helping. The tumor is shrinking. The cancer is contained to one lung and has not spread. When the doctor was asked why removal of the lung is not an option, the doctor said that it was too late to do anything else? Great bedside manner. Dad has been having the fluid drained from his lung, and they were going to put a catheter in the lung to keep the fluid from building, but whe they scheduled the procedure, it was decided not to because the chemo seemed to be helping. Does anybody have any ideas?
Back to top
leo
Site Admin


Joined: 23 Sep 2004
Posts: 1574
PostPosted: Thu Nov 10, 2005 5:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Why is it too late to treat the lung cancer? Reply with quote
Hello

It is considered stage IV lung cancer if the pleural effusions are indeed malignant. So while technically a surgeon can remove a lung, it wont help because the entire pleural cavity has malignant cells. So it is not worth the risk of surgery, since it won't improve survival.

regards,
Dr Leo F
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.
Back to top
MrsT
New User


Joined: 12 Sep 2005
Posts: 3
PostPosted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:13 am    Post subject: Re: Why is it too late to treat the lung cancer? Reply with quote
Thank you for your inpput. So does that mean that This is the end? With the cancer being at stage 4 and there are cancer cells in the fluid drained from the fluid from his pleural effusion, whatever that meand, does that mean there is no hope?
Back to top
TracyS
New User


Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Location: Adelaide, Australia
PostPosted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:16 am    Post subject: Re: Why is it too late to treat the lung cancer? Reply with quote
MrsT.....the Drs said my Mom has been in Stage 4 (with 6 months to live) for about 6 years....and she's still here. Its not over until the fat lady sings. There isnt any rhyme or reason to cancer......its pot luck as to how a person reacts to treatments etc. They are treating symptoms now...not aiming for a cure. No-one can tell you how long that will be....if he's as stubborn as my mum...it might be a while.
Back to top


Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lung Cancer Forum All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Download our Toolbar



About the author
E-mail webmaster
Terms, conditions and privacy policy		 We subscribe to the HONcode principles of the HON Foundation. Click to verify. We subscribe to the HONcode principles. Verify here. All content and posts are copyright.
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group