questions about Small Cell Carcinoma

duhiforgot420's picture
Posts: 10
Joined: 2008-03-31

my mom has small cell carcinoma and the doctor sent her an email saying what it is and how long can be expected to live and its only saying 6 months. i need some input please from some of you doctors and patients that know what this is and if there are alternative therapies other then chemotherapy and radiotherapy and what can be expected later through the rest of this ,she is in her last stage (4) and they aren't doing much for her at all except giving her fentanyl patches and steroids. they did three (3) chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions before she quit doing them because of how they made her feel and i cant blame her for that i seen what it was doing to her and i wouldn't do it myself if this is going to kill her then why prolong the agony for little to no results,it quality not quantity . she has thirteen (13) spots the size of quarters on her liver so would a liver transplant cure this or would it make it worse? i would gladly give her half of mine but she says that it would make it spread faster if we done that so any input will be appreciated

 

i want to thank every one that reads this and im am very thankful to the ones that take the time to respond to this





phisher's picture
Posts: 2221
Joined: 2006-03-20
Small cell CA (of any kind),

Small cell CA (of any kind), is usually a very grim diagnosis and generally speaking the prognosis isn't very good either.Unfortunately chemo-radiation is the best treatment that is available. I know how hard it can be on patients but it is the best thing that modern medicine can offer. Obviously some patients tolerate this treatment better than others. Since she is stage IV, any treatment given at this point is palliative and of course not curative. If she absolutely cannot tolerate chemo/RT then perhaps comfort care is the best plan for her.I don't want to sound negative, but if her cancer has already metastasized to her liver, then I seriously doubt that she has six months to live.I am sorry that both you and her are having to deal with this problem. I sincerely hope that it goes as well as it can.


all thoughts and opinions expressed are those of my own and should not be mistaken for medical advice. i am not a doctor nor a pharmacist. all medical questions should be answered by a licensed pharmacist, doctor, or primary care manager.



duhiforgot420's picture
Posts: 10
Joined: 2008-03-31
i really appreciate  it man

i really appreciate  it man i just dont know what to think any more im trying to help her enjoy the rest of time that she has left i just wish they would have found it a lot sooner then just a month ago she is in high spirits and she is a very strong woman its just really scary (the unknown) thanks again for your input she just wants to enjoy the rest of her life without being sick and i dont blame her for that