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ioannis - 12 Feb 2006 17:20 GMT

Hi,

Before 2 months we learned that my father has Stomach cancer. The next
day we leaned he was surgered. He is in stage IV with metastasis in
Liver (5-9 spots). Until now (2 months) we haven't receive the
histologic examinations. The surgury was very successful as doctors
said. They remove almost 95% of his stomach and and they use RF on his
liver and burn the tumors...
One of the questions now we have is that master surgery doctor tolds us
to make chemiotheray but the other doctor told us not to do because
propably he will not survive ... and there is no reason to do and
suggest us just take him home .. and waiting...
We don't know what to do ... as i have read chemiotheray until now
haven't help people with stomach cancer to live more ...

Thanks

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Steph - 12 Feb 2006 18:03 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks

There is no evidence that chemotherapy would make him live longer. If he is
feeling well, chemotherapy can only make him feel worse.

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Lorelei - 22 Feb 2006 18:21 GMT

>> Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
> There is no evidence that chemotherapy would make him live longer. If he
> is feeling well, chemotherapy can only make him feel worse.

Curt says Amen to that. not worth it. takes away too many "good" days.

Signature

Lori
Devoted wife of Curtis Prostate Cancer mets to bone at age 40
12/30/2003
Mets to brain
11/25/2005
Living on Transfusions
2/2006

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J - 12 Feb 2006 20:13 GMT

> Before 2 months we learned that my father has Stomach cancer. The next
> day we leaned he was surgered. He is in stage IV with metastasis in
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> We don't know what to do ... as i have read chemiotheray until now
> haven't help people with stomach cancer to live more ...

Hello and welcome to alt.support.cancer
I'm sorry to read about your father's cancer but glad to read that it was
operable.
They've done the best there is for now, for him.
Therre's only a few cancers (that stage) that are curable with
chemotherapy, and your father's type is not one of them.

If we expect chemo to be toxic to hardy cancer cells and their clones,
chemo is especially toxic to normal (rest of the body) cells, so we must be
mindful of knowing why we're treating with chemo. The clones become
resistant to the chemo, so each chemo has to be riskier and riskier. It's
probably best to wait until there's something to treat.

The existing tumors have been dealt with.
Stay with us and let us know how your father is doing, from time to time.
If another tumor shows up and is operable, that might be an option or we
can discuss other options, at that time.

For now, if he feels well, he and you (and family) should make the most of
his time. Travelling, finishing projects, going back to work, whatever he
was doing before his diagnosis or things he wants to do or see before the
end of his life. Make the most of each day and we'll see you when you have
an update for us.
Best,
J

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ioannis - 14 Feb 2006 11:20 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. Until now he is going well but his not able to
work because he is still wick and have loose many killo's(almost 20kg
and make walks in the house only). My father doesn't know something
until now (may be we don't know what is better for him .. to tell or
not, but for the momment we wait the histological results and after we
propably tell him, -doctors said's not tell-). The main reason we don't
tell is because when he was in hospital, the pressure mostly and the
pain creates him a small heart problem ... so we don't know yet how he
will react will he learn what he haves.
For now as i said we wait the histologic results ... ( i dont know why
take too long) and i will parse them to 2 big doctors in Greece and
take a second opinion... (what is better for him and my family also).

Thanks again for the help and support

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J - 14 Feb 2006 20:28 GMT

> Thanks for the replies. Until now he is going well but his not able to
> work because he is still wick and have loose many killo's(almost 20kg
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> take too long) and i will parse them to 2 big doctors in Greece and
> take a second opinion... (what is better for him and my family also).

Hello and thanks for further information.
re: weight loss
Does he have a small stomach (pouch) and eat by mouth? fed by tube
(gastrostomy)?
We call it a PEG tube.
Sometimes liver cancer can cause weight loss as well, the cancer in the
liver takes all the nutrition.

I hear you that your father is not well at the moment and that you're
concerned about his heart.
Here, Noth America, in most cases, the patient always knows their
diagnosis, and it's their choice whether family knows (or not).
Greece seems slow for histologic results or they're holding back?

Please make sure that doctors don't follow their agenda and that the best
is done for your father.
And be careful you don't keep getting opinions, until one doctor tells you
what you want to hear.
We did have the son of a stomach cancer patient here and they were in
Europe as well.
It was a management issue (good times, less good, good times, less good)
and seemed to be doing well, but she died rather suddenly) after about a
year. I don't think her liver was involved, but I forget at the moment.
Chemo can be hard on the heart, and as we said it's not very useful for
stomach cancer and some of the newer agents have risks, as well, for heart.

Please to let us know the histologic results, as soon as you are able.
95% are adenocarcinomas but there are other types
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3896

Thank you for your reply.
J

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