My dad is extended stage Small cell lung cancer. what can I expect?
109285
Honestly, its better you consult a specialist. I really want to help but I don't think I can give better answers than specialist do. Sorry.\n\ngood luck\n\nLove is omnipresence, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
518988
Do not loose hope yet the info at the site below may just provide you with the answers you need. Good luck, my prayers are with you, I wish I had this info when I was younger and my dad had cancer.
301021
I know how intimidating it can be when a Health Professional tries to explain what you have, so I will try to explain this as easy as possible for you:\n\nLupus is an "autoimmune disease". Your father's immune system is like an army with hundreds of soldiers. The immune system’s job is to fight foreign substances in the body, like germs and viruses. But in autoimmune diseases, the immune system is out of control. It attacks healthy tissues, not germs.\n\nYou can’t catch lupus from another person. It isn’t cancer, and it isn’t related to AIDS.\n\nLupus is a disease that can affect many parts of the body. Everyone reacts differently. One person with lupus may have swollen knees and fever. Another person may be tired all the time or have kidney trouble. Someone else may have rashes. Lupus can involve the joints, the skin, the kidneys, the lungs, the heart and/or the brain. If you have lupus, it may affect two or three parts of your body. Usually, one person doesn’t have all the possible symptoms.\n\nWhen your father's symptoms appear, he is having what is called a “flare.” These signs may come and go. He may have swelling and rashes one week and no symptoms at all the next. He may find that his symptoms flare after he's been out in the sun or after a hard day at work.\n\nEven if he takes medicine for lupus, he may find that there are times when the symptoms become worse. Having your father learn to recognize that a flare is coming can help him take steps to cope with it. He may feel very tired or have pain, a rash, a fever, stomach discomfort, headache, or dizziness just before a flare. Steps to prevent flares, such as limiting the time he spends in the sun and getting enough rest and quiet, can also be helpful for him.\n\nDealing with a long-lasting disease like lupus can be hard on your father's emotions. He might think that his friends, family, and coworkers do not understand how he feels. Sadness and anger are common reactions.\n\nPeople with lupus have limited energy and must manage it wisely. Your father should ask his Doctor and Rheumatologist about ways to cope with fatigue. Most people feel better if they manage their rest and work and take their medicine. If you find that your father starts feeling depressed, medicine and counseling can help him.\n\nAs a daughter, try your hardest to support him and help him, especially on days when he has a flare-up and may find it more difficult to move around or do basic tasks.  Give him as much love and understanding as you possibly can -- and I already know you are a wonderful daughter for reaching out and trying to understand this disease as much as possible.  \n\nBest of luck to both of you and I hope things get better.
1158370
Get in touch with St Judes Children's Hospital in Tennessee. (stjudes.org ) They treat and research all pediatric cancers REGARDLESS of the family's ability to pay. More important, they never give up hope.\nWill keep him in my prayers.
895433
That my dad beats Multiple Myeloma (cancer)
702376
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990.  She battled it, and won.  She had lymph nodes removed as well as a total masectomy.  Along with 6 months of chemo.  Unfortch her cancer recurred in 1998.  This time in her bones.  She battled bravely again, with weekly chemo for 5 solid years.  Eventually it spread to her brain and she had radiation.  She had(yes, I am sorry 'had')a great life from her initial battle in 1990 until cancer finally took her from us in 2003.  She saw both her daughters marry and met one grandson.  She and my dad traveled and were together.  Just give her the best you can.  Be there for her, talk to her.  I know it hurts, believe me, I know.  My mom was only 53 when she passed.  I believe she always handled it better than we did.  I never once saw her be scared.  I wish you and your friend all the best.  Good luck!
530637
Without treatment, small cell carcinoma of the lung has the most aggressive clinical course of any type of pulmonary tumor, with median survival from diagnosis of only 2 to 4 months. Compared with other cell types of lung cancer, small cell carcinoma has a greater tendency to be widely disseminated by the time of diagnosis, but is much more responsive to chemotherapy and irradiation.\n\nBecause of its propensity for distant metastases, localized forms of treatment, such as surgical resection or radiation therapy, rarely produce long-term survival.[1] With incorporation of current chemotherapy regimens into the treatment program, however, survival is unequivocally prolonged, with at least a 4- to 5-fold improvement in median survival compared with patients who are given no therapy. Furthermore, about 10% of the total population of patients remain free of disease over two years from the start of therapy, the time period during which most relapses occur. However, even these patients are at risk of dying from lung cancer (both small and non-small cell types). The overall survival at 5 years is 5% to 10%.\n\nAt the time of diagnosis, approximately 40% of patients with small cell carcinoma will have tumor confined to the hemithorax of origin, the mediastinum, or the supraclavicular lymph nodes. These patients are designated as having limited stage disease, and most 2-year disease-free survivors come from this group. In limited stage disease, median survival of 16 to 24 months with current forms of treatment can reasonably be expected.[5-7] A small proportion of patients with limited stage disease may benefit from surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy; these patients have an even better prognosis. Patients with tumor that has spread beyond the supraclavicular areas are said to have extensive stage disease and have a worse prognosis than patients with limited stage. Median survival of 6 to 12 months is reported with currently available therapy, but long-term disease-free survival is rare.\n\nThe pretreatment prognostic factors which consistently predict for prolonged survival include good performance status, female gender, and limited stage disease. Patients with involvement of the central nervous system or liver at the time of diagnosis have a significantly worse outcome. In general, patients who are confined to bed tolerate aggressive forms of treatment poorly, have increased morbidity, and rarely attain 2-year disease-free survival. However, patients with poor performance status can often derive significant palliative benefit and prolongation of survival from treatment.\n\nRegardless of stage, the current prognosis for patients with small cell lung cancer is unsatisfactory even though considerable improvements in diagnosis and therapy have been made over the past 10 to 15 years. Therefore, all patients with this type of cancer may appropriately be considered for inclusion in clinical trials at the time of diagnosis.
1046883
Is this for curiosity's sake, or a serious medical question? I only ask because in the latter case it's best to get information directly from the doctor treating the disease. I will say, however, that these things depend on a number of variables. First, do you mean "large small cell tumor?" What stage is it in? Has it metastasized (spread to other organs)? How healthy is the patient? How old?\n\nSmall cell carcinoma is a very aggressive cancer, spreading quickly and not always detected at an early stage. However it is also very responsive to radiation and chemotherapy, making it easier to treat once it's found. If the patient is healthy and able to endure the treatment, once they reach the 2 year mark things are looking good.
1136035
I am so sorry to hear that.  I know what you are going through.  Both of my grandfathers died from cancer (lung) and there was nothing they could do about it.  As far as your nanna is concerned, it's only going to take time.  I don't know if you are religious or not, but sometimes just a prayer and hug is all it takes.  It's sweet that you are there with her and you really are  doing more than you realize.  I'm sure she appreciates it greatly.  It's not something that's easy and quick to get over.  Just sit by her and let her talk to you if she needs to.  You and your family have my greatest sympathy and prayers.
1111420
My mom was diagnosed three years ago. She had stage 3 breast cancer. It spread to the lymphnoids and she ended up having a double mastectomy. She's had plastic surgery and is now a fully developed cancer-free 46 year old. I'm so proud of her.\n\nMy best friends sister has Hodgkins disease. It's in her neck and she's currently undergoing treatment at Duke. He's having to stay with a friend while the rest of his family is with her. Please pray for her.\n\nI'd also like to say I'm sorry for whatever reason you posted this. Cancer is a hard thing to deal with but I know dozens of people who have overcome this. I hope everything is okay with you. Good luck and remember that there are always people to support you or whoever you know.
169758
My husband has the same cancer as your father, but I think his might be more advanced that your dad's.  My husband is 63 years old.  He is taking the same treatments as your dad, but also a bone strengthener intravenously once every 4 weeks.  The bone strengthener is called Zometa, and this treatment takes about 30 minutes each time.  He also had 5 radiation treatments to his spine which helped greatly with pain control.  \n\nOnce cancer has spread beyond the prostate it can't be cured, but it can often be controlled for several years.  It sounds like my husband has many more spots of cancer in his bones than your dad does, and we are hopeful that he will have at least a few years.  The most important thing for your dad is to not break a bone - cancer in the bones makes them very brittle.  In addition to the intravenous bone strengtheners my husband takes calcium and Vitamin D every day - prescribed by the cancer specialist.  He takes very strong pain meds also.  \n\nThe day will come when the hormone treatments will stop working.  When that happens there is some research that suggests some chemotherapy drugs can give the person a few more months of life.  The overall life expectancy at this stage tends to be up to three years, but every individual is different and responds differently to treatment.  It will be affected by your dad's health otherwise, his strength in fighting this, his attitude, and his will to live.\n\nBe strong yourselves and take care of yourselves.  You need to take care of you in order to help him.  I have learned that.  It sounds like he is getting good care.  Ask about the need for bone strengtheners.  Also, good nutrition is very important in figthing cancer.  Make sure he eats a healthy diet, low in fat particularly.  Try to keep a positive outlook, and now is the time to live each day as if it is your last.  Life becomes precious when we realize it is on a timer.  Take care, and God bless.
323847
Hi There, My dad had it, he was 81.  I had gotten a lot of info from the American Cancer Society.  Try this link: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp.  There is info there about trials and treatments.  On certain patients (not my dad) they can do chemo.  In Multiple Myeloma the symptoms can be treated, but there is no cure.  My dad received steroid treatment.  He had gotten radiation to a couple of really painful areas and it seemed to help him a lot.  Also he got blood transfusions when his blood count was off and that helped too.  He did end up going on dialysis because as the cancer eats the bone, calcium is released into the system and the kidneys can't handle too much calcium.  Sometimes patients receive stem cell transplants. Good luck to the patient & family.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.
622205
I am so sorry you lost your mother and that your father is sick.\n\nStatistics are usually on an overall basis, however if it's the same cancer, maybe they were both exposed to something? \n\nWhen one spouse dies the other often becomes overwhelmingly stressed. Disease comes into people's lives through stress and a set of behaviors that are contrary to health. \n\nLove your father and make certain that he takes care of his basic needs. He needs plenty of rest, to eat properly and to get some kind of emotional support to cope with losing his spouse.
937508
Stage IV cancer is basically a way for the oncologist to know which protocol to use when treating a patient. It is often misinterpreted by people who do not understand the disease to be a 'death sentence'. That's just not true at all. Stage IV is, however, more difficult to treat because it indicates the cancer has metastasized.\n\nWhat you should do for your friend is become very educated about the disease. Read and locate resources, talk to people who have the disease, look for support groups, talk to doctors, perhaps even seek out a second or third opinion, look over treatment options, find the best oncologist that you can and than put your trust in him completely. Once an oncologist is on your friends side, they can make referrals and recommendations that open doors for treatments.\nRemember, there is always hope . . remain positive . . and help your friend to remain strong. It is a tough battle, but human beings are remarkable creatures . . with a good friend like you . . he will find his strength to face whatever comes.\n\nMy son was diagnosed 20 months ago with stage IV abdominal sarcoma that had metastasized. His pediatric oncology team was able to eliminate all visible tumors and he underwent an experimental intraperitoneal chemoperfusion to eradicate micrometatastes from the diaphragm and abdominal cavity. He is doing very well, he still has 2 small nodules (about a cm) that we are dealing with. But, in the meantime he has excellent quality of life, is asymptomatic, takes college classes, and hangs out with his friends. It's been tough, but it can be done.\n\nGood luck to you. \n\nAnd, a word of caution, any treatment offered should be evidence based and scientifically documented. \n\nThe American Cancer Society is an excellent resource for information about melanoma. The site also offers stories of encouragement:\nhttp://www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.asp\n\nYou may also want to encourage your friend or his caregiver to joing a ListServ group specifically for patients with Melanoma, so that you can talk directly to others with the disease.\nhttp://listserv.acor.org/archives/melanoma.html\n\nAmerican Melanoma Foundation\nhttp://www.melanomafoundation.org/\n\nGood luck and stay strong.
812864
I am no doctor, but, my father was diagnosed with initial stage NSC lung cancer in his one lung. Whoops; now I am confused, maybe it was small cell lung cancer. I think that is the more aggressive kind. Now I am not sure, and I started to answer your question. My point is, I know both cancers can spread, one more quickly than the other, but, when diagnosed at a later stage, which I believe your husband's one, the stage it is at gives you the percentage of survival rate (based on five years). So a six month prognosis was a 10 percent survival rate, which was horrible (to me). That is why the Dr. was shocked. No matter if the doctors were wrong, go with the facts. Your husband is still alive, he is living with cancer, not dying of cancer, so prayer, exercise, medicine, is all working. Accept it, and keep doing what you are doing. My son is outperforming all expectations for his rare diagnosis. How? Doctors can't explain it, but they say, "Keep doing what you are doing" Prayer is a very powerful thing, the most powerful and potent thing you can do. It is not his time, and keep loving and living with him. God has a plan for him. You may not know what the plan is, but, God does. Good luck, and I will keep you all in my prayers. A good resource for me was the lungalliance.org They have people who can help with questions. Or, it might be thelungalliance.org. Try both, or do a search engine on lungalliance.
1084388
Small cell lung cancer has been called oat cell cancer because the cells resemble oats when seen under a microscope. This cancer usually originates in the lung's large central airways (the bronchi). It accounts for about 20% of all lung cancers. In some cases, small cell tumors also include cells that have non small cell features. This condition is called a mixed tumor. \n\nSmall cell lung cancer is among the fastest growing cancers. In two-thirds of people with this cancer, the cancer already has spread (metastasized) by the time of diagnosis. The cancer can spread easily because of the constant flow of fluids through the lungs. These fluids consist of blood and lymph (a protein-filled fluid from the lymphatic system). The fluids can carry cancer cells to lymph nodes, the heart, the other lung and to organs outside of the chest. Small cell lung cancers spread most commonly to the brain, liver, adrenal glands and bone. \n\nSymptoms\n\nAlthough some cancers do not have any symptoms at first, others are diagnosed during an evaluation for any of the following:\n\nA persistent cough \nCoughing up blood (hemoptysis) \nShortness of breath or wheezing \nUnexplained weight loss or loss of appetite \nFatigue \nDifficulty swallowing \nPain in the chest, shoulder or arm \nBone pain \nHoarseness \nHeadaches, confusion or seizures \nSwelling of the face, neck or upper extremities \n\nDiagnosis\n\nLung cancer often is discovered on a chest X-ray, where it appears as a gray or whitish area. Other imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can further determine the size, shape and location of the tumor, and locate areas where the tumor has spread. This helps to find the best place to obtain a sample of the tumor to diagnose small cell versus other types of lung cancer, such as squamous cell or adenocarcinoma of the lung. The type of cancer determines the treatment. \n\nSmall cell lung cancer sometimes can be diagnosed with a technique called sputum cytology, in which mucus from the lungs (sputum) is examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. Cancer cells also can be found in the fluid between the lung and the chest wall (requiring a procedure that uses a needle to remove fluid) or in lymph nodes next to the lung (requiring a surgical procedure).\n\nAnother diagnostic technique is needle aspiration, in which fluid or tissue is removed (aspirated) from lymph nodes or suspicious masses. Cells also can be removed during bronchoscopy. A fiber optic viewing tube is inserted into the lung through the mouth and bronchial tubes. It allows the doctor to examine the tumor directly and to remove cells for examination.\n\nIn addition to the above tests, you may need a bone scan, bone marrow biopsy, CT scan of the head and additional biopsies to determine the degree of tumor spread. Small cell lung cancer has two stages:\n\nLimited cancer is confined to one lung and nearby lymph nodes. \nExtensive cancer has spread to both sides of the chest or beyond the chest.
718911
You have to do a little research before trying to convince you dad to get treatment.  For example, it is quite likely that your dad has talked to the doctors and has more information than you at this point.  Cancer that has spread has no chance of cure. Chemotherapy can make a person very sick.  If he lives alone, there would not be anyone to take care of him if he gets chemo and feels like throwing up all the time.  So talk to him to get more information before trying to change his mind.