No Use of Chemotherapy??

[odessay]

my father is in the process of the chemotherapy for lung cancer, stage 3. after  he had the first two doses, the healing of the tumor was about 77%, but after he had the third and fourth doses, there was no change at all!!! how is that possible? and now he is taking the fifth dose, is he wasting time using chemotherapy? and what are the possible reasons for not having any change at all?? please, if you have any suggestion to help him through his suffer, help me please.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This is indeed great news.

You should follow up with his doctor regularly now and get regular medical check ups and the required investigations got done.

Prophylactic cranial irradiation is what your doctor is suggesting and that is the normal course in all such cases.

Let us know about how he is doing and if you need any other information.

Regards.

[odessay]

Dear Sir,

i would like to share the latest results of my fathers' scan. it shows that there is no trance for cancer at all!!! i hardly can believe that. he already finished his 6 doses of cisplatine, and the doctor wants to give radiotherapy now for his brain, just to be safe. i want to ask, what are the odds that the cancer may come back, and if the radiotherapy really necessary now or not? what if the cancer is back, will he be able to take cisplatine again???

thank you for replying in advance, i really need second opinion

regards

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

What size is the aortic aneurysm? If it is greater than 5.5 cms - a surgical intervention will have to be considered because of the increased risk of impending rupture.

With 62 years of age, smoking history and male gender your father would come in the high risk category for developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

I hope he has stopped smoking now.

You can still continue with his chemotherapy if your oncologist thinks so.

Do let us know about his progress.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.

[odessay]

thank you for your reply, i appreciate it. however, i have one more question; his latest ct scan has revealed an abdomen aortic aneurysm, i know its something serious has to be considered in the treatment, but the doctor said that everything ok with him and he can go for the fifth dose of cisplatine!! is it correct, we need another medical opinion in case he needs any other actions to be done for his therapy.
and just to let you know, he is 62, he has been smoking for the last 52 years, he does not have blood pressure or any other diseases other than lung cancer.

thank you for your help

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

The healing process depends on several factors including extent and type of cancer, an also varies from one individual to another.

Usually what is seen, as in your father's case - is the early phase of quick and significant response when chemptherapy is started. Then there is a plateau phase and the tumour is more slow to respond.

Though this is not always the case. Discuss the progress and response to chemotherapy of your father in detail with his oncologist and radiotherapist and see what they have to say.

Discuss about the further management plan too.
Do let us know what they have to say.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.