Hello,
It is a difficult situation having the diagnosis of cancer in a loved one. Considering that your father has advanced
stomach cancer there is very little in term of cure that can be offered. Stomach cancers tend to bleed and that may be the cause of his low
hemoglobin (Hb). The low Hb tends to cause all the other symptoms like
fatigue,
restlessness, palpitations and therefore issues with sleep.
His low appetite mostly seems to be due to the tumor occupying space in his stomach and also the other biochemical changes that cancer brings in the body. If Hb is so low then many of such patients benefit from a few fractions of radiotherapy to the tumor which can control the bleeding and improve the Hb and also probably improve the appetite to some extent. He may even need a
blood transfusion to keep up his Hb and a medicine called Tranexa (Blood clotting agent) till he receives the
radiation.
You could meet a radiation
oncologist to get the said radiotherapy. Overall prognosis depends on the exact pathology of cancer but knowing it has already metastasized the 2 year outcome is poor according to most studies. Relieving of his symptoms is the best that can be offered as of now. Give him cold fluids to drink in the meanwhile to reduce the bleeding and to keep him hydrated.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Shreya Kunder, General & Family Physician