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brain met. possible lung cancer
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Jul 17, 2005 - 2:03 am
2 weeks ago my 68 year old dad had surgery for removal of a brain tumor. Path. report indicates the tumor was a met. most likely originating from lung cancer. We have a CT/PET scheduled for 7-19. Friday we saw a radiologist who wants to begin whole brain radiation (just in case there are microscopic cells lingering) and is scheduled to start this Thursday. Currently, my dad is doing extremely well. He is back to daily 1 mi. walks, drives, eats well. He came through surgery w/ flying colors...no ill effects. It doesn't make sense to me to give him radiation which could make him feel ill or lose his memory before we even know what type or if it is definetely lung cancer. Wouldn't it make more sense to address the primary source of the cancer first? Additionally, I read quite a few sad stories where family members felt the treatment wasn't worth it because their loved ones quality of life was diminished. It is all so scary-especially since my dad is now so well. I thank you all very much for your sharing your stories and for your input here. God bless you. |
Joined: Sep 2004
I think you are smart to question Whole Brain Radiation (WBR). My mom had it and it made her have symptoms similar to Alzheimer's in that she lost a lot of memory and was majorly confused. Most of the symptoms have improved, but a lot of her confusion remains.
Knowing what we know now, we would not have done WBR at all. Besides, after all the WBR, she continues to have new tumors and the existing ones have grown.
If there are no known tumors, I'd pass on the WBR. Keep in mind, I'm not an M.D., just a daughter of a lung cancer victim w/ brain mets.
Joined: Jul 2005
Thanks for your input...and I'm sorry to hear about your mom. How old is she? Does she improve everyday? I thought that it would be a good possiblilty that a tumor could return if youre not attacking it at it's source. Did you mom have brain surgery before the radiation and did she have any chemo? Thanks again...take care and God bless you and your family
Joined: Sep 2004
I'm curious about what your decision was about your dad's WBR. My mom, age 56 was not fortunate enough to be a candidate for surgery or GammaKnife. Instead her incompentent dr's did WBR and offered nothing more. My family and I took her to CyberKnife (www.cksociety.org) where she was able to receive treatment for her 6 brain mets. It did a great job, but unfortunately, the tumors keep returning. I am not sure she has much time left; she has such a crappy quality of life right now. I would strongly advise anyone against WBR as it truly did contribute to her lessening quality of life--much of which she has never regained. Lung cancer is definitely nothing to play around with. Choose your doctor and cancer center wisely---it could mean the difference between life and death for your dad. We are now on our own as her onc. dumped her because we refused to go to hospice and refuse to give up. My mom does not have an oncologist. We are relying on her nuerologist 3 states away and her family doctor to prescribe pain killers and do lab work and scans.
You sound like your doing the right thing already though. You are asking questions, researching the diesease, and reaching out to others. Keep doing that. It does help!
Best wishes and prayers for your dad!
Joined: Nov 2004
Hi, tenten -
So sorry to hear about your father. But glad to know how well he's doing so soon after surgery!
Speaking as a lung cancer patient with brain mets, I would suggest discussing your concerns about WBR with your Dad's oncologist. Treatment decisions are up to us as patients. It's important to know that we (and our families) have a say in our treatment protocol.
I have been fortunate (so far) to be able to have the gamma knife radiation done on my brain because the lesions were small enough. First treatment was in Dec. '04, and now I have to have a second treatment this Friday for a new lesion.
Anyway, all my concerns go right to my oncologist (my husband calls him the general contractor). He goes over the options with the rest of the doctors, surgeons, etc., and then we decide what course of action (if any) to take.
I hope this helps somewhat. It is a very scary and confusing time when there is a new diagnosis, so much to learn.
God bless you!
Deanna
Joined: Aug 2005
I'm so sorry that you and your family are having to deal with this, but am very glad to hear your father is doing well.
My father was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, as well (at 55 yrs). His doctors did not give an option of surgery and he underwent whole brain radiation. I would also strongly recommend against it. Unless there is a tumor present in the brain that is diminishing quality of life, I would not choose the WBR. My father had many cognitive issues within a year of WBR with no more brain tumors present. Also, I think you are doing the right thing by being an advocate for your father and gathering all the information that you can. The doctors typically have a certain protocol to follow. If they had known your father's tumors were lung mets, they probably would not have removed the brain tumors (which was a great thing). It is an extraordinary doctor that will look beyond the protocol and address the individual, so it is wonderful that he has you to question things, on his behalf. Also, I would highly recommend getting him to meet with someone at a hospital that does cutting edge research with cancer (teaching hospital). They have a different way of approaching cancer and are looking to the future of treatment. I would stay away from clinical trials that simply try new combinations of existing chemo options, but there may be other options for him to consider. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Joined: Jul 2005
garcia... thank you for your comments. It was really timely. My dad is not comfortable w/ WBR and it's hard for him to go against dr. recomendations... WBR is "the standard of care" for a lung tumor w/ brain met. A local radiologist would do nothing but WBR, we sought a 2nd opinion @ Jefferson in Phila. the rad. there says he would rec. WBR, but could do "focal radiation" at the spot where the tumor was removed (I didn't realize that they probably would not have remove the tumor knowing it was a met...so I guess that was lucky). My dad feels too uncomforta