The 5 Options
On the 21st August my father, myself and brother in law attended an appointment with the Lung Specialist. It was the news that we were dreading, praying and hoping not to hear. The biopsy results confirmed that the large grapefruit like mass was as suspected a grapefruit sized malignant tumor. The same sqaumous non-small cell cancer cells had been detected as in the brushings obtained during the broncoscopy the week before. The consultant was of the opinion the cancer had been gestating for the last two years.
We felt like the world had ended as the consultant spoke. Then things went from bad to worse.
The consultant showed us the CT scan pointing out the tumor. It looked very big and he was fairly sure that the lymph nodes were infected preventing the first option of the 5 he then gave.
Options:
1. Surgery
The size and position of the tumor as well as the strong possibility that the lymph nodes are affected prevents us from choosing the surgical route. Even if the tumor is removed, the lymph nodes would in time infect the other lung. How much time, well the consultant spoke of months rather than years. Additionally, the tumor is very close if not on the lung lining making surgery an even riskier prospect.
2. Radical Radiation Therapy
This is an option, an option that was given during the panels MDT meeting. The premise being, reduce the size of the tumor and the lymph nodes killing the cancer thus buying more time. The drawback, in the process of doing so, as the lymph nodes are located in the centre of the chest there is a high possibility that the gullet would be permanently damaged rendering my father unable to swallow. In addition to this, there will be some major scarring of the left lung which will impact my fathers breathing and extreme tiredness. The consultant was unable to tell precisely how much, but basically said, ‘some patients can suffer some shortness of breath, others can be wheel chair bound. Chances of success are between 20%-30%, success is an increase of around 4 months life. Before moving forward with this option, a PET scan is required to access whether the cancer has spread.
3. Chemotherapy
As this is sqaumous non-small lung cancer, from past experiences radiation therapy is more effective. chemotherapy can be used perhaps afterwards to kill any existing cancer cells in the body.
4. Gentle/Palliative Radiation Therapy
This is to reduce any symptoms such as shortness of breath and allow my father to improve the quality of life. The aim is not to extend life but to provide a better life. The side effects are tiredness and some shortness of breath.
5. Do nothing
My fathers symptoms will really begin showings and he will most likely survive up to 6 months.
The consultant advised that there was a lot to think about and honestly gave my father between 6-12 months survival. We highlighted that at present the only symptoms my father is displaying is some very mild shortness of breath and daily sweating and some fever. The actual pain is originating from his arthritic knee which he has been treating with painkillers for the last two year whilst waiting for replacement knee surgery.
The consultant agreed with us that the knee is having a large impact on the quality of my father’s life and has decided to write a letter to the knee specialist advising that he urgently progress this as soon as possible before my father begins treatment for his cancer. We are prepared to do this privately if required.
So the plan is as follows:
1. Replacement knee surgery / Make appointment for PET Scan
2. Change my fathers diet drastically to increase the strength of his immune system
3. Begin large dosage of cancer fighting supplements
4. Obtain fathers test/medical records and see consultant at Dove clinic to talk about IV Vitamin C therapy.
5. Once knee is relatively healed, begin mild radiation therapy moving on to radical radiation therapy.
6. Investigate chemotherapy option.
We are also hoping to obtain a second opinion once we have a copy of the medical file.
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