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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / April 2004My Dad has cancer -- need advise (J, Steph, others??)
OK folks -- I can use some advice regarding my father. He will be 96 years old in 2 weeks. About 15 years ago, he was dx. with prostate cancer; but it was the best type (the most slow-growing). They treated it by removing the portion of the testicles that produces the hormone that feeds the cancer. About 4 years ago, they found some bladder cancer (I suspect it was a spread of the prostate cancer). Again, they have been treating that by removing the very small lesions as they arise (they check it every 6-12 months). Recently, he saw a dermatologist due to some strange red lesions on his head. We thought it would be skin cancer. However the report came back that it is lympho-ango sarcoma. I live in Michigan and my Dad is in California so I am not sure of the exact wording/spelling of this. I guess he will soon be seeing an oncologist, so I 'll be getting more information. But, can someone shed some light on what this might be?? Could it still be a manifestation of the original prostate cancer or is this something new? Also, what can be done. My Dad is currently in reasonably good health with no symptoms whatsoever. I am really biased against chemo in this situation; I want my Dad to enjoy his remaining months/years. I have no idea what the oncologist is going to suggest, but at least if I can get some information/ideas I can suggest some questions. (Having been a reader in this group, I certainly know some questions to ask). Also, does it make sense to perhaps do some radiation on his scalp (he has about 3 lesions there; they removed 2 -- he is in no pain). Is there any point to that if the cancer is throughout his body via the lymph system. My parents do not have internet access, so I am posting this for them, hoping to glean some information. PLEASE RESPOND. Mel > OK folks -- I can use some advice regarding my father. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > this might be?? Could it still be a manifestation of the original prostate > cancer or is this something new? No, it's a completely different cancer. > Also, what can be done. My Dad is currently in reasonably good health with > no symptoms whatsoever. I am really biased against chemo in this situation; [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Mel The standard treatment for lymphangiosarcoma of the scalp is surgery, but radiotherapy is probably as good. Having said that, whatever treatment is used, lymphangiosarcoma has a habit of recurring quite quickly. Chemotherapy is a waste of time, whatever the patient's age. I would think the best benefit for least cost is probably some simple radiotherapy > OK folks -- I can use some advice regarding my father. > [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] > > Mel Hi Mel, Well if it's Lymphangiosarcoma (may also be called angiosarcomas) http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/TypesofCancer/Sarcomas/Treatment.htm Arise in vascular tissue or lymphatics, respectively Very malignant types of tumors because these cancer cells spread easily into the bloodstream.[end copied text] I would think that if they did not remove the 3rd it's because of either the size or bone involvement? It says here that the beneficial role of chemo has not been established and it mentions radiation therapy for locoregional control. They also mention low or high -grade. http://www.emedicine.com/ent/topic675.htm Where I get the possible bone involvement http://www.maxillofacialcenter.com/BondBook/softtissue/angiosarc.html So I would hope he's been referred for radiation therapy...or maybe they leave it alone if there's no bleeding? If there's some chance it might spread quickly I'd want to go see my Dad. I'll have to leave this with you for now to read. I see Steph's here, perhaps he has a one-liner reply for you. Hugs for now. J > > OK folks -- I can use some advice regarding my father. > > [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > Hugs for now. > J It can involve the underlying skull, but that's not common. It tends to spread to the rest of the scalp, then the neck nodes, then widely. J: They only took two because they were not sure what it was. If it was a low-grade skin cancer, for example, they might not need to do more. Thanks for the info. I've been searching since I posted and there is a wealth of information out there. It is all sort of dismal. However, the good spin is this: I read that the average survival time for this sort of cancer is 15 months to 2 years. My Dad is 96 years old. So, I doubt if his life expectancy has changed at all! I guess if you are fortunate to live long enough, you will be "fortunate" enough to experience all sorts of medical problems!!! Mel > > OK folks -- I can use some advice regarding my father. > > [quoted text clipped - 60 lines] > Hugs for now. > J if the cancer has spreaded i would not do chemo . my husband of 43 yrs had colon cancer 7 yrs ago we found out after he started having a hard time breathing and dr put him on oxgen sept16 there was trouble dr kept treating him for heart failure that it was lung cancer . didnt find out until dr finally did a cat scan oct 26 that he had lung cancer, stage 4 they said radio and chemo might slow it down it didnt he dide 2 1/2 mos after they told him i wonder if he had not had chemo if he could lived longer so i dont advise anyone to go for chemo it will shorten his lfe and make him sicker . wished i could talked mine out of it he had 14 radio treatments 3 chemo they told him it wasnt working he died 2 days later went though so much pain so let dad have a decent life if it hsa spreaded dr wouldnt see my husband for 6 mo said he was doing good not so god bles u and u family Thank you. I want my father to enjoy his remaining time with minimal suffering. MB > if the cancer has spreaded i would not do chemo . my husband of 43 yrs had > colon cancer 7 yrs ago we found out after he started having a hard time [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > life if it hsa spreaded dr wouldnt see my husband for 6 mo said he was doing > good not so god bles u and u family |
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