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Suggest Treatment For Glottic Cancer In An Elderly Person
Question: My father is 85 years old and diagnosed with cancer of glottis and supraglottis. Stage 3. Doc suggesting laryngectomy but we are scared of surgery. Any medication will help? What is the best treatment option that will let him live painlessly and die peacefully
Brief Answer:
radiotherapy preferred
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I am sorry to know about your dad. In this type of disease and especially at this age, preferred option is radiotherapy. If he is fit enough, then full course radiation or else if he is not that fit then palliative short course radiation.
Thus we can avoid surgery and also get good control of disease, if not cure. Medicines will not help much in disease control. Chemotherapy is not possible.
Hope this helps.
Regards
radiotherapy preferred
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.
I am sorry to know about your dad. In this type of disease and especially at this age, preferred option is radiotherapy. If he is fit enough, then full course radiation or else if he is not that fit then palliative short course radiation.
Thus we can avoid surgery and also get good control of disease, if not cure. Medicines will not help much in disease control. Chemotherapy is not possible.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
But radiotherapy too will have side effects, can he bear that? What is palliative course? How much time the spread can be delayed after a palliative course?
Brief Answer:
at least some radiation he can tolerate
Detailed Answer:
Palliative course is when smaller amount of total radiation is given, say 1-2 weeks duration, to control the disease for few months. Duration of control varies but on an average 6 months can be expected.
The radiation oncologist can make a judgement whether he should get full or palliative treatment. Even if plan is full course but after 2 weeks too many side effects, then radiation can stop.
at least some radiation he can tolerate
Detailed Answer:
Palliative course is when smaller amount of total radiation is given, say 1-2 weeks duration, to control the disease for few months. Duration of control varies but on an average 6 months can be expected.
The radiation oncologist can make a judgement whether he should get full or palliative treatment. Even if plan is full course but after 2 weeks too many side effects, then radiation can stop.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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