How long would somebody expect to survive with a METASTATIC BRAIN TUMOR if no treatment was undertaken?

Question

Treatment is unlikely as the person has already been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, has already undergone chemo for this, which resulted in a reduction of the size of the tumour but was told before that it was incurable (the treatment was done to extend life expectancy not to cure the cancer) and no further chemo can be undertaken for at least another 4 months. It now appears (although as yet undiagnosed -but conditions indicate) that it has also infected the brain - so was wondering how long the end will be in coming if this cancer is untreated?

Answer 1

My thoughts and prayers are with you. My mother went through this and when we believed it got to the brain I think it was about a few weeks. She just went downhill and then all her pain and suffering was over. I wish nothing but the best outcome, however, to be completely honest it doesn't sound good. God Bless

Answer 2

It definately depends on which type of each malignancy they have. Is the brain tumour a primary tumour, or a lymphoma/leukaemia deposit? There really is no way of accurately predicting how long someone will live following any of these diagnoses. They will certainly need intensive chemotherapy +/- radiotherapy to achieve any sort of remission. You need to speak to the Dr in charge of the treatment regimens - ask what they think the chances of remission are and then you might be able to decide if the treatment is worth it. Most times it IS worth it - I work with patients who have these conditions and despite having a hard time going through treatment, they are generally glad they stick with it for even a small chance of survival. However, I personally believe that quality of life is more important than quanity and if the experts feel there is little time left, then it may be better to have palliative treatment rather than curative (ie symptom control, which may include some gentler form of chemo).

For the best answers, search on this site https://smarturl.im/aDATc

Answer 3

My mother is going through this at the moment and its heartbreaking. She had breast cancer 6 years ago which resulted in a mastectomy. 2 years later it returned in the chest wall and she underwent a 6 week course of radiotherapy. Then 2 years ago it was detected in the lungs and she had chemotherapy. Just over a Month ago her memory was affected and she had difficulty co-ordinating one side of her body. We thought she'd had a stroke but then it was confirmed that she had 2 secondary tumors in the brain. She went on steroids immediately and this eased the symptoms. She finished a 10 day course of radiotherapy to the whole brain last week and its completely wiped her out. She is sleeping all day and its heartbreaking to see her suffering so much. Prognosis is not good in this situation and I don't know how long the treatment will extend her life expectancy. Everybody is different and responds differently to treatments. I realised this question is about secondary lung cancer and My Mum's cancer originated in the breast. It is a difficult question to answer as nobody knows.......try looking at the cancer research websites which may give some guidelines. Keep strong!

Answer 4

I don't know how long they can last with this condition. It really depends on the person. Oct. of last yr. we took my husband to the Er. with what we thought was a stroke happening. A brain scan should he had to tumours on his brain. Then the traced the source to the lung. He is 74. They gave him 3-6 mos to live. They used steroids to take the swelling from the brain.Then 10 treatments of radiation. The cancer in his lung was very small & not causing him much trouble. Since the expectance was so short, they told us that chemo would only make him sicker & weaken him. They told us the brain cancer would likely take him first..They told us if he got in to pain or difficulty breathing they would do radiation on the lung but couldn't do much more. The swelling & radiation of the brain did some damage alright. That was 13 mos. ago. He still doing quite well. Memory is ify. But he is not in any distress. He's out side Most days does a bit of whatever. They have no idea why is the way he is. He has defied them. We know this disease will take him but we have been glad to have him this long. So you never know do you.

Answer 5

Metastatic Brain Cancer Life Expectancy

Answer 6

Secondary Brain Cancer Life Expectancy

Answer 7

at the cancer institute here they can do a gamma knife radiation even on brain mets, median survival is a year, but of course many factors have to be considered -such as what type of lung cancer -small cell carcinoma pts. don't live long even with out mets to the brain, also is there mets to any other nodes or organs. it really comes down to quantity or quality of life -a sad choice for anyone to make. i am very sorry

Answer 8

Forget anything you have ever been told about Diabetes. And get this - it has nothing to do with insulin, exercise, diet or anything else you've heard in the past. It's all based on latest breakthrough research that Big Pharma is going Stir Crazy to hide from you. Visit here : https://tinyurl.im/aH1Ro to find out what all the fuss is about.

Answer 9

unfortunetly i would not think long , but alot depends on the person . some people hang on while some dont . my son was diagnosed with brainstem cancer in jan 2006 he passed away in oct . though his situation is different , once the brain is affected time runs short . i am so sorry for what you are going through and what you will go through. my prayers are with you ......god bless

Answer 10

I would say no more than three months at best. Assuming the cancer wasnt overly aggressive, you could theoretically survive for a longer duration of time assuming the tumor doesnt begin to crowd the neural pathways.