My father has stage 4 small cell lung cancer.?

Question

Just found out the cancer has moved to the brain. What can we expect next and what is the life expectancy?

Answer 1

Small cell lung cancer, unfortunately, is the most aggressive of cancer processes in the lung. This is so much so, that lung cancer is broadly characterized into "small cell" and "non-small cell" types, because the treatments and outcomes differ significantly between these groups.

Unlike most other solid cancers, surgery typically has little or no role in the management of small cell lung cancer. This is primarily because this disease is usually widely spread by the time it is discovered. However, unlike most other lung cancers, small cell cancer does have a strong response to chemotherapy. This is because the tumors are growing and the cells are dividing rapidly, and most chemotherapy medications interfere with cell reproduction.

Small cell cancer is best thought about as being either "limited" or "extensive". The distinction is based on radiographic evaluation of the lung fields, the soft tissue around the heart, the bones and the central nervous system. These are the most common places to find the disease and its signs of spread, and a number of types of studies can be used in order to hunt for disseminated cancer.

For those with limited disease, about 85% will have some signs of response to chemotherapy and radiation. 50% may demonstrate a "complete response". However, the median survival (half of the people live longer than this, the other half don't) is between 18 and 24 months. 2 year survival rates are about 40-50%.

For those with extensive disease (and having metastatic lesions in the brain qualifies as extensive), about 75% of people will show some response to chemotherapy and radiation, while only about 15% will demonstrate a radiographic "complete response". The median survival is somewhere between 7 and 10 months. 2 year survival is near zero.

Current chemotherapy is based on a medication called cisplatin in conjunction with another medication called etoposide. As far as chemotherapy goes, this is a fairly well tolerated combination. However, the considerations that go into whether or not to proceed with chemotherapy involve an assessment of whether or not the therapy will make the patient too ill to benefit from the increased length of life. Depending on the health status of the patient, it may be that the best thing to do is aggressive therapy, or it may be best to do nothing at all, or something limited in between.

One last thing about cancer. People who are dealing with cancer and with the thoughts about impending death need to be dealt with respectfully and with honesty. There is no value to hiding the truth from patients. Once given the simple facts, they need time to think about them and react.

Having a close friend or a loved one face death is an extremely anxiety producing experience for people. The natural reaction is often to attempt to be helpful in a nearly overwhelming way. However, the reason that people do this is because it is the only way that they can cope with their own anxieties. Ultimately it is not out of consideration for the person who is suffering.

Be kind, be helpful, but above all else, be mindful and respectful. Be aware of the needs that the person expresses, but be prepared to feel as though some of the "help" that is offered them may be unwanted. Avoid trying to help yourself with your own anxieties by being overly "helpful" to them! There are some roads that, in this life, we must walk a distance alone.

... I hope that helps. I wish you and yours the best.

Answer 2

Hello. I feel for you as my mother-in-law has been battling sclc since she was diagnosed earlier this year.
Unfortunately, metastases in the brain is very common with sclc. This is due partly to the rich network of blood vessels to and from the brain and partly due to the blood-brain barrier which prevents many chemotherapeutic medications from reaching the brain. I am so sorry for your situation. It must be terrible watching your father struggle with this disease.
As for what to expect next, that isn't so easy to answer. The brain controls absolutely everything the body does which means any symptoms of the cancer itself will be just as varied. It depends on where, precisely, in the brain the metastases (tumours) are located. You would really have to talk with the physician (oncologist, I would assume) about where the brain tumours are located.

As for life expectancy...

As for you yourself, please make sure you are looking after yourself as well. That means getting enough rest, nutrition and, most importantly, counselling. Once again, please accept my condolences. You are having a very tough time of things. Do take care.

Answer 3

Non-small mobile melanoma can unfold via the lymphatic method and via the blood. It can immediately invade additionally to contain the middle of the chest (mediastinum), the liner of the chest, the ribs or, whether it is within the most sensible aspect of the lung, the nerves and blood vessels main into the arm. When non-small mobile lung melanoma enters the bloodstream, it may possibly unfold to far away websites such because the liver, bones, mind and different areas within the lung..........The melanoma has unfold to far away websites plus the next if the tumor has unfold: Severe complications Double imaginative and prescient Pain in bones, chest, stomach, neck or hands Physical exam: enlarged liver or different belly mass Bone test or bone biopsy CT test of liver or adrenal glands liver biopsy PET, CT or MRI scans of the mind Chemotherapy: Platinum drug mixed with Taxol, Taxotere, Gemzar or Navelbine seem to be extra mighty than realistic palliative care. Additionally, they will relieve signs and minimize tumor dimension five 12 months: not up to five% ........you'll have requested the health care professional..........

Answer 4

Non-small mobile melanoma can spread via the lymphatic system and by way of the blood. It could actually instantly invade also to involve the center of the chest (mediastinum), the liner of the chest, the ribs or, whether it is within the high part of the lung, the nerves and blood vessels main into the arm. When non-small mobilephone lung melanoma enters the bloodstream, it will possibly unfold to far-off sites such as the liver, bones, mind and other areas within the lung..........The melanoma has unfold to far away sites plus the next if the tumor has spread: extreme headaches Double imaginative and prescient ache in bones, chest, abdomen, neck or arms physical examination: enlarged liver or other stomach mass Bone scan or bone biopsy CT scan of liver or adrenal glands liver biopsy PET, CT or MRI scans of the mind Chemotherapy: Platinum drug mixed with Taxol, Taxotere, Gemzar or Navelbine appear to be more effective than easy palliative care. Additionally, they will relieve signs and shrink tumor measurement 5 12 months: less than 5% ........You must have requested the medical professional..........

Answer 5

Non-small cellular maximum cancers can unfold in the process the lymphatic gadget and via the blood. it may straight away invade additionally to contain the middle of the chest (mediastinum), the lining of the chest, the ribs or, whether that's interior the appropriate component to the lung, the nerves and blood vessels maximum suitable into the arm. while non-small cellular lung maximum cancers enters the bloodstream, it may unfold to distant web pages such by way of fact the liver, bones, strategies and different places interior the lung..........The maximum cancers has unfold to distant web pages plus here if the tumor has unfold: severe issues Double creative and prescient soreness in bones, chest, abdomen, neck or palms actual examination: enlarged liver or different abdomen mass Bone test or bone biopsy CT test of liver or adrenal glands liver biopsy puppy, CT or MRI scans of the strategies Chemotherapy: Platinum drug mixed with Taxol, Taxotere, Gemzar or Navelbine seem to be extra effectual than basic palliative care. additionally, they might relieve indications and cut back tumor length 5 twelve months: under 5% ........you're able to have asked the ordinary practitioner..........

Answer 6

I am really sorry to hear about ur father, its very sad. Personally i dont know what u should expect but i just wanted to say that my thoughts are with you.

Good Luck xxxxxooooxxxxxxooooo

Answer 7

Hi Cindy,

This is a break through product that can kill cancer cells.

Do you believe that our First and Last line of defense in our body is our IMMUNE SYSTEM? I am introducing you this TRANSFER FACTOR PLUS. Please visit this web site www.transferfactorinstitute.com or biotransfer.org, they will explain you how powerful this product.

This product saves the life of Dena of USA. She was confirmed diagnosed a malignant lymphatic cancer (cancer of the lymph nodes) and the cancer was all over her body. The doctors gave her 4 to 6 months to live. 7 months after taking transfer facor plus she went back to her doctors. And gues what, doctors told her that she's a " living meracle" and she has no sign of cancer anymore.

You may e-mail me at [e-mail] if you want to buy and have some discount.

Answer 8

I am not sure my suggestion will work and help but at least if you do't have any pther better solutions I think its no harm to try it. It was prove to somecases it work already but I am sorry I don't wish to tell it openly here. If you really want to find out please write to me at [e-mail]. Best regards!!

Answer 9

I know of a natural treatment that MIT says will change the world of health care.

Answer 10

Sorry, to hear about your father. Just a suggestion to look at www.transferfactor.com . maybe this can help. take care.