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Why Is Chemotherapy Recommended For 78 Year Old Women With Cancer Various Organs?
Why would an oncologist order chemo for a 78 year old female with cancer in the liver, lung, kidney adrenal gland ,pancreas ,breastbone and hip? Not sure which organ cancer originated, first tests show large mass in kidney, biopsy of liver showed cancer in pancreas.
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 11 May 2015
Answered on
Mon, 11 May 2015
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Cancer is a challenging diagnosis and treatment is difficult in advanced stages. Since the cancer has involved more than one organ like liver, lung, kidney, adrenal gland, pancreas, breast bone and hip, it is possible that the person has stage 4 disease. In this case it is not important to find out exactly where the cancer originated but treatment with objective of extending survival is the point to be considered.
In the above case the survival of the patient with recommended treatment and supportive care might extend to 2 years. If chemotherapy is not given then even six months survival is difficult. Therefore the doctor has recommended chemotherapy to stabilize the disease and control spread of cancer and make the patient survive longer. Please do not worry.
Thanks for writing in.
Cancer is a challenging diagnosis and treatment is difficult in advanced stages. Since the cancer has involved more than one organ like liver, lung, kidney, adrenal gland, pancreas, breast bone and hip, it is possible that the person has stage 4 disease. In this case it is not important to find out exactly where the cancer originated but treatment with objective of extending survival is the point to be considered.
In the above case the survival of the patient with recommended treatment and supportive care might extend to 2 years. If chemotherapy is not given then even six months survival is difficult. Therefore the doctor has recommended chemotherapy to stabilize the disease and control spread of cancer and make the patient survive longer. Please do not worry.
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