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Colitis (Expert Forum)
appendix cancer- can anybody help us anymore?
Answered by
Ratnakar Kini, MD - Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, acid reflux, gerd, colitis
Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist
India
This forum is for questions and support regarding Colitis issues such as: Causes, Constipation, Diagnosis, Diarrhea, Drugs and OTC Medications, Fever, Living with Colitis, Loss of Appetite, Preventing Flare-ups, Research, Symptoms, Support, Surgery, Tests, Treatments, Types of Colitis
appendix cancer- can anybody help us anymore?
by jazzsugar19, Oct 25, 2009 05:06PM
Hi, my mom was diagnosed with appendix cancer (Appendiceal Carcinoma) 2 years ago. I am not sure if you know much about this rare type of cancer, but it is very agressive. Her type of tumors cannot be treated with radiation and b/c little is known about it, it is often treated the same as colon cancer. My mom was unable to qualify for the ONLY surgery that has been used to treat this cancer, b/c the surgeon said that there was too much cancer in her. About a month ago she was experiencing excruciating pain in her abdomen, and after a series of x-rays the doctors discovered that she had a blockage in her small intestine that was being caused by the cancer. B/c they cannot stop this tumor from wrapping itself around her intestines, they instead are draining her stomach fluids into a g-peg while also hooking her up to an IV so she can receive the proper nutrients directly into her bloodstream- nutrients she would normally get from food (but she cannot eat anymore). On top of this, her oncologist has just informed us that we cannot pursue anymore chemo b/c it will leave her worse off, and might kill her before the cancer does. So basically we have to watch our mom die. I checked out a lot of information on eastern remedies like herbs and vitamins, that can be given to her in liquid form (b/c she can still drink fluids), and I wanted to know if any of that sort of stuff would make much of a difference if her stomach fluids are just going to be drained anyways? The g-peg is located near the top of her stomach so SOME fluids are still going into her small intestine. Should we just give up, like the oncologists have, or do we still have some kind of an option that could help fight this cancer and possibly shrink her tumors?
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www.pmpcure.org
www.pmpawareness.org
www.pmppals.org
Have you consulted with an appendix cancer specialist? There are lists at the above sites.