cancer treatments for the elderly?
hopper2133 asked:
doctor does not what to give me mother any cancer treatment, or any options without determining her stage etc… because of her age. But she wants the treatment and is generally in good health. Were do we go from here?
doctor does not what to give me mother any cancer treatment, or any options without determining her stage etc… because of her age. But she wants the treatment and is generally in good health. Were do we go from here?
Doctors generally do not discuss treatment options until they know the stage. It is not good medicine. A lot of things are taken into consideration. They do not want to treat a patient aggressively if they don’t need to or if the patient cannot tolerate it. They also do not want to be aggressive enough and fall short.
I suggest you let them complete the staging work up, listen to what he or she has to say then take all of your mother’s records to another physician for a second opinion and maybe a third and go from there.
I think treatment depends on a lot of things.
I have never been able to swallow the idea of treating an elderly person for some types of cancer, but there are Oncologist out there who will treat a old person on their last leg. . I personally think some of these Oncologist should be brought before the ethics committee.
You mothers doctor has told you his opinion and if you dont agree with it, by all means seek a 2nd opinion.
I also need to add, some Oncologist will treat cancers in the elderly and make big bucks doing it and not give a crap about the quality of the life that person has left.
I have experienced this type of treatment since I am a nurse.
Seek a 2nd opinion and be educated about it. Research your mothers type of cancer and know what her life expectancy is with and without treatment.
Keep in mind chemotherapy and radiation is not taken lightly. The treatment is worse than the disease often and even though your mother is in generally good health. Chemo will knock the poop out of her and is not easy even in the young and healthy.
Not just because of her age, because of a lot of factors. Without knowing the stage and other specifics of the cancer, they have nothing to go by to determine the correct protocol. Without knowing that information, they could put her on a treatment that would kill her, or give her a treatment that wont effect the cancer. Going through treatment without knowing those things is pretty much suicide.
What do you mean where do you go from here? She needs to have the cancer biopsied and have all the necessary tests.
get a second opinion. i have known doctors to operate to remove cancers on 90 year olds! but have you discussed the options fully with your mother? treatment may not be the best solution. we bullied my dad into having treatment, he only lived ten more months, seven of which were miserable in hospital. sometimes i wonder if we should have just let it be and enjoyed our last few months together. ulitmately it is your mums decision, not the doctors. talk to each other and to medical services for the best options for you. good luck.
I would like to add a bit to the generally negative comments above, particularly regarding oncologists. First, until staging is complete, it is a bit premature to discuss treatment as stage guides the treatment. Second, there ARE oncologists who will give anyone chemotherapy for profit, just like there ARE bad examples for every profession. This is a comment on individuals and not professions, and so generalizations need to be avoided.
What the asker seems to be interested in is whether treatment is being withheld due to age only, and secondarily perhaps whether that treatment is worthwhile. No one wants to be denied therapy only because of age, nor should they be. I have treated a 90 yr old with gastric lymphoma because 1) it was curable and 2) she was healthier than most of my 70-year olds. She did not die of lymphoma and did very well with her treatment. All elderly patients should not receive therapy and likewise all elderly patients should not be denied therapy. It is based on their physiologic health and also their desires, wishes, and expectations, balanced with a truthful discussion about toxicities and realistic benefits of therapy. Only then can a proper decision be made about what is best.
If your mother is wanting therapy, she should say so, and then demand a good discussion about the above. A second opinion is ALWAYS a good idea, and if the doctors agree, all the better. The treatment is not usually worse than the disease; it is sometimes though, and this is where a good, compassionate oncologist comes in.
God bless, best wishes