Hi Katy,

You are in a  great place to get information. I  am new here also, my
mom has stage 3 lung cancer, it also has spread to her throat and
kidneys. Started with breast cancer last summer. Like you I had so
many questions.  My resource was searching the web, however other
members have shared sites to look at. Here is a new one I just learned
of. Hope this helps.How old is your brother?

ACOR
http://www.acor.org/mlists/mlists.html
Click on L for Lung, then NSCLC to join.

You and your brother will be in my thoughts and prayers,

Irishgirl

Hello katy,
I'm sorry to read about your brother.  What is his age and is he otherwise
healthy?

Chemo will not stop the spreading.
I am not a doctor, but I think if a person is fairly healthy and tries chemo for
6 treatments and can tolerate it, and still have quality of life and the blood
counts do not stay low and the tumors shrink, it might be worth fighting it with
chemo - as long as he uses it, on an "as needed" basis (with breaks in between
courses of treatment).

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=6747
Stage 4 is the most advanced stage, where the cancer has spread.
Understandably, the survival statistics are lowest for this stage.
Unfortunately, lung cancer is often diagnosed late.  Almost half of all those
diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer already have stage 4 disease.

People diagnosed at this stage are mostly treated with chemotherapy to relieve
symptoms.  Between 15 and 35 out of every 100 people (15 - 35%) treated for
stage 4 lung cancer will be alive a year later.  For those not fit enough to
have chemotherapy treatment, this figure drops to about 10 out of every 100
people (10%)."
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A friend had it on the adrenal as well. She was 50'ish and fairly healthy and
lived aprroximately 18 months.
She fought it hard, but took breaks in between courses of chemo.
-----------------------------------------------------------
It is hard to predict what will happen (with or without chemo).

Maybe the ACOR "irishgirl" pointed you to can assist.
Keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

And when he goes to the doctor, ask if you can go with him, for his support and
to take notes, so he can review them at home, think about and discuss with
family.
J

We had a lady here who did not seek treatment.
She had a tooth infection which was treated by a dentist.

Her symptoms were weight loss, fatigue, trouble breathing and bone pain.
Her regular doctor provided her with pain meds. She also got some oxygen.
She passed away peacefully.

The NCI says
< http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/metastatic >
"The most common sites of metastasis from solid tumors are the lungs, bones,
liver, and brain. Some cancers tend to spread to certain parts of the body. For
example, lung cancer often metastasizes to the brain or bones, and colon cancer
frequently spreads to the liver. "

We've had quite a few lung cancer patients here. Most, if not all, had
treatment.
About half of those spread to the brain and another large proportion spread to
the gastro system.
(if I recall correctly), so what might happen can vary.

If your brother wants to peek in (but not post), he could try here.
http://www.lchelp.org/ On the left side, click on Message Board.
Almost everyone there, has a signature (file) which shows their treatments,
problems, hospitalizations, scans and other details that happened during their
battle, so it gives a good (broad) view of what might happen.
J

Try www.alkavitahealth.com . I used it to get off meds, and for me it
worked. I know that is addresses cancer as well since cancer is really just
a metabolic disorder. Look at the food items that cause problems.
http://www.alkavitahealth.com/cancer/

The best advice one in the field could/will give is not to go on a
"searching" spree for answers from people who post on the internet and
whom proclaim to have the knowledge, education, res, internship, and
the years in the field as doctors do.  You need no website, in reality
I would steer clear from them.  Opinions are just that, opinions.  Let
your family have the faith in the Medical Oncologist and get the
information directly from the person who is going to "lead" a team.
If it is stage 4, it is in the blood which means it can travel and
appear at any given time, hence the reason(s) why scans every two
months are extremely important.  There is no cure, likely will never
be, it is a disease that is however NOT a death sentence and can be
"treated" like someone who has diabeties, sugar, etc.