Treatments for stage 4 liver cancer with unknown primary, suspect lung or colon and has metasized to bone?
My mother has this and they’ve said chemo will not change her prognosis. If she gets the chemo, there is a 4 out of 5 chance it won’t work, if she gets it there is a 1 out of 5 chance it will. It will most likely make her sick while she is on it, and if it does work it will only extend her life about 3 to 8 months if it goes into hybernation, but it will eventually return. her life expectancy is less than 6 months, chemo may only extend it a few months. If she gets radiation to the bones where she is in a lot of pain, she will feel better in a few doses, and with her pain meds she will feel pretty well for a while with almost no side effects, except fatique, but it will not extend life and she could have less than 3 months of survival. She doesn’t really want the chemo, and neither does my Dad, for them quality of life is more important then length, and she doesn’t want people to see her go through the chemo. Does anyone have info on this what would u do? we have second opinion friday
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This is a difficult situation where you and your mom have to guess what will be the lesser of two evils. A good way to approach this is to have your mom try a round of chemo and see how much it affects her. Its almost certain to make her feel sick for at least a week or two, but people vary in the severity of the sickness, and it might not be too bad. If shes get too sick from the initial treatment, she can discontinue the chemo.
If she is in pain, the radiation seems like a good idea if it makes her feel better. As with chemo, she could could wait to decide about additional radiation treatments after testing it out. You probably do not have to choose between chemo and radiation, she can probably have both or either one separately.
A second opinion is a good idea because oncologists each have slightly different approaches and special skills, so maybe the next doc will be able to suggest a particular type of chemo that does not make people feel miserable.
Sorry for your situation. The doctors are right with what they are saying if they cant locate the primary cancer they wont know what type of chemo to give your mum so it will be trial and error which i def dont recommend. Stage four cancer is incurable and almost certainly terminal. once cancer has reached the liver the life expectancy is less than a year, this happened to my Mum. Mum was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last may. It was in her liver lung and kidney they couldn’t find the primary cancer either. they eventually did and it was diagnosed ads kidney cancer, Mum pasted away 4 months from first diagnosis aged 60. i agree with your mum and dad if chemo is only going to extend her life a few months i wouldn’t go thru the pain and trauma it will make her sicker than the cancer itself and will make her bed ridden. Mum went on a trail drug for 2 weeks and it was the worst thing we could have done she lost all dignity and control of her bodily functions it was terrible. definitely get your second opinion. contact me if you need support or info. xx
If ya can afford all those possible treatments & your mother would agree to take them, it’s the only logical things to do.
Make the most of those precious times with her & make her feel the love you have for her & PRAY. Prayers do make miracles & gives comfort & peace of mind.
I would still consider radiation to the bones because bone cancer can become extremely painful-while the radiation will not prolong the life by much, if at all, it may lead to less pain in the long run for her. I agree on foregoing the chemo. Good luck and God’s blessings for you all.