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Suggest Treatment For Difficulty Breathing And Pain In A Lung Cancer Patient
Question: My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is 82 and the mass was 8cm. It was in her left lung. She choose to have radiation treatment. It shrunk, but the cancer has manifested to her bones. She has several legions on her right hip bone and some on her left bone as well. Because she has decided not to have chemotherapy know one will give her any information about what to expect. She is on pain management. 120mg of oxicodine per day plus suprdual when she needs it. She takes some twice a day between her oxicodine. Her breathing is very laboured and she is in severe pain and sleeps a good part of the day. Can you tell me as her care giver what I should expect to happen in the next few months?
Brief Answer:
She can try erlotinib
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
It appears that her general health is not good. In that event chemo is not feasible also. However, we can try targeted therapy like erlotinib or gefitinib which can be given orally and works well in some patients. They don't have too many side effects. We can also give zoledronate injections to reduce the bone symptoms.
Otherwise I am afraid there is not much to do except supportive and palliative care. Her breathing may require oxygen support and she will need more and more support with her self care activities.
Hope this helps.
I will be available for follow-up.
Regards
She can try erlotinib
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
It appears that her general health is not good. In that event chemo is not feasible also. However, we can try targeted therapy like erlotinib or gefitinib which can be given orally and works well in some patients. They don't have too many side effects. We can also give zoledronate injections to reduce the bone symptoms.
Otherwise I am afraid there is not much to do except supportive and palliative care. Her breathing may require oxygen support and she will need more and more support with her self care activities.
Hope this helps.
I will be available for follow-up.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Is this normally a fast moving cancer once it invades the bones?
Brief Answer:
yes this is an aggressive disease
Detailed Answer:
Lung cancer is a fast moving disorder from the diagnosis itself, not necessarily when it has reached the bones.
yes this is an aggressive disease
Detailed Answer:
Lung cancer is a fast moving disorder from the diagnosis itself, not necessarily when it has reached the bones.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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