when diagnosed with metastic melanoma cancer is it common for the onclogists to wait ovr 2 weeks for trtment?

Question

2 tumors on the brain 1 on the lung 1 on the liver

Answer 1

If you had surgery they may wait a bit. Depends on the approach they're taking.

My husband had a brain tumour removed and radiation about 5 years ago. Had successfully survived non-hodgkins lymphoma 20 years ago.

He has been fighting cancer again on the winning side. It's just gotten more stubborn! He's been the last year and a half with chemo and surgery and now they supposed found something else.

Answer 2

My grandfather was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. It was first found on the liver, then in the lungs...then in the abdominal cavity. They really seemed to be slow moving in treating it to me. Or they would take one test...have to wait for 5 days for the results and then figure out what they wanted to do next. Being a project manager, I found it extremely frustrating that things weren't moving faster. There seemed to be too much of a lapse between activities for me. I was told that they were doing the best they could and that the labs were tied up. My opinion is...find another lab that can give a quicker turnaround time.

What I found out is that they knew pretty early on that there was little that they could do. My grandfater went through one round of chemo and decided he was miserable and didn't want to spend his last days throwing up and being nauseated. He passed away roughly 6 months to the day after his initial diagnosis. This was 2 years ago. He did well for the first 2 months...nothing really was very different about him except he started losing some weight. The last month is where things really went down hill fast. He went from still walking around the house to suddenly spending all of his time in his bed. He would try to get up to go to the bathroom and his legs would give out from under him and he'd fall down and be unable to get up. The morphine dosages increased and his ability to reason started to slip drastically.

My thoughts are with you. Just because this was the experience one person had doesn't mean that it is the same experience that another person will have. There are lots of factors.

But yes, I share your frustration from experience in the lag times. I would prefer that the hospitals use multiple clinics or labs and send treatments to whichever can get the patient in teh quickest. Not sure if such a person exists, but maybe you could look around and see if you could get a project manager/patient advocate that could help cut through some of the red tape? My guess is that the hosptial sends all of their treatments and lab work to clinics or labs that have some financial connection to their own hospital. I don't think it should work that way especially when you are talking about a life a death situation.

Answer 3

Tests are done called tumor markers. These have to be done so they can figure out the type of treatment
This cancer is well advanced . Waiting 2 weeks won't make much difference.
I am sure the person has a poor prognosis, if it is that far advanced.
Treatment at this point is probably for palitive care only, not a cure.
I am very sorry and will pray for this person.
If you will add a bit more details so I know who to pray for , no last names needed, I will do that.
God Bless the person.

Answer 4

This is a very far advanced melanoma. A discussion w/the doctors should be made to determine the likely prognosis. If the prognosis is negative, ask the oncologist if the treatments will make any difference in the patient's comfort level. Otherwise, the treatment itself could make the patient more miserable than letting the cancer take its natural progression. I am sorry to hear of this - take care of yourself.

Answer 5

My answer would be hell no!!! Why you want a physic an to delay any kind of treatment!! Keeping in mind that treatment also includes, diet exercise, nutritional supplements. You should be taking care and been watched and the doctor should be making immediate plans for your care. Call a cancer treatment center, call you insurance and ask for a patient rep or advocate to assist in dealing with referrals. No one is saying jump into a treatment plan, but waiting is never good thing to do! And to response of Kgi, who works in hospital, i would be embarrassed to tell anyone it depends on how busy they are!! The fact that any medical facility or clinic would use that as an excuse is outrageous. They are some conditions that patients should have access to care. That's what staying late and calling other physicians and referring to doctors who aren't overloaded is about. The sooner Americans demand a better standard of care the sooner the medical community will be forced to comply!

Answer 6

Its commmon to wait for the report because the treatments follow from the report, second opinions are good also.. Contact your American Cancer Society for more resources or go on internet.My mom had a large brain tumor the size of a tennis ball but surgery got it. It was about three weeks after her diagnosis. Good look and lots of prayers to you.

Answer 7

i am so sorry to hear that. call a cancer treatment center and ask when treatment is usually started. you have to be your own health advocate. sometimes it seems like doctors don't think about how shocking this is to you and that you want something done right away. they really should have explained this to you better. i wil keep you in my prayers.

Answer 8

2 weeks is okay. Too many people believe you have to rush for the treatment so that it makes a difference. It doesn't.

Answer 9

Yes it is common...good luck in your treatment...I hope it is successful...My prayers are with you....take it easy also...Two weeks will not make any difference, that's what i am told. Plus it depends on how busy they are...

Answer 10

yes