Is it normal to not want to remove a metastasised tumor?

bethyb34

Hi everyone,

My mom has recently been diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She has been told that she will never be cured and that she could live for 5 - 7 years.

The metatasis is on her chest wall currently attached to her sternum, she is responding well to letrozole, so they hope that the letrozole will continue to shrink the tumor. However when we last went to see the oncologist he said that they probably wouldnt remove the tumor even if it became smaller and moveable. He said that they would want to use it as a guide to see physically how well she is responding to hormone treatment. Is this normal?

Just to fill you in my mom has had breast cancer twice, bladder cancer and now secondary breast cancer on the chest wall. All cancers apart from the bladder cancer are eostrogen receptive.

The oncologist also stated that they wouldnt be using chemo at this stage as they "would want to save it for later".

My moms cancer levels in her blood were 58, he said that they would be regularly checking her bloods to see if this elevates, what is the normal rate for this level? how high can it go?

Sorry for the disjointed post, im new to this and Im still in shock.
_________________
Beth

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 1003 Location: UK

When I was first diagnosed, my cancer had already metastasized. I had a round of FEC to reduce the tumour, at the end of which the full extent of spread had been established.

On considering the options, I elected not to have the tumour excised and the surgeon agreed with great rapidity. My cancer is not static, but slow, and is being held by chemo and hormone treatment. The hormone treatment for me has been the least successful. Chemo is a bore, but it does work.

When really down one day I asked my oncologist whether I should not have had the operation. Sh looked at me and said, "You would be in exactly the same situation today".

You ask if it is normal not to operate - I would judge that with secondaries there is a reluctance since the cancer has spread already, and if they can control the new tumour [and even reduce it] with other treatment, then that may well be preferred. Surgical intervention has its own dangers and problems.

Sadly it seems your mother is prone to cancer development. However things are changing all the time, and it may well be that in the next few years something will prove successful in controlling tumour development.

If you are really not happy with the medical approach, could you seek a second opinion, maybe from the Marsden?

bethyb34

Thank you Vee, that is really helpful.

How do you cope with the waiting game? Waiting for a new metasis to appear every time you attend a check up?

I suppose im asking how you stay so positive? Im trying to be positive for my mom but she is the one thats supporting me at the moment and I feel dreadful about that. I cant seem to face the fact that I will loose my best friend.
_________________
Beth

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 1003 Location: UK

I am glad you have found it helpful.

How do I cope? I am thankful that it is so very slow, so that on the whole I am not constantly aware of possible change apart from in the skin, where one form of mets was established early. Skin mets are incredibly difficult to deal with, and extremely irritating [literally], but you are immediately aware of changes.

I also have a very elderly mother who lives on her own in a cottage in the country, so I am much occupied in making sure that all is well there. She is selling up and moving into care so my life is about to take another change. She and I have done everything together since my father died, and I am now facing the situation that I will not have her company on holiday or to talk about the past.

I also elected to go private early on when it became clear that there was no consistency in the oncology team as it was a teaching department, so registrars and housemen moved every six months, and so have a good ongoing relationship with my oncologist. When not in actual treatment I have 3 monthly check-ups. But if something seems to be happening I go and see her at once.

Staying positive - I am still alive 6 years after diagnosis, and so far [unless things change internally] look like living a "normal" life span. I see no point in worrying about when I might succumb. That will come in its own time. As I have an older brother with a far more debilitating chronic condition, who determinedly ferries his daughters around all over the country, goes to horse shows with them and his wife, and firmly will not give in, I have a very good example to live up to. As the song goes "Look on the bright side of life". Not that I do not have depressed moments - I do, but they are only moments and can usually be suppressed.

I think it is often harder for the children to have a positive view. After all, it is their parent who is under threat. Being honest about one's fears and concerns is a good step to take. Remember, the Macmillan Nurses are there for you as well if you need to talk things out.

One final point - this forum has been wonderful to be a part of, and also very humbling. There are people here who have been through so much, faced so much, and still manage to be there for those facing a bleak world, maintaining a strength of mind that is quite amazing. Most of them are so amazingly SANE.

bethyb34

Thank you Vee.

I admire your strength and courage and I hope that I will get to the same place as you as quickly as possible so that I can be there for my mom.

Take care

Neutral

_________________
Beth

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others