Lung caner on 73 old smoker Posted: 06-10-07 15:32pm
My mom is a 73 years old smoker (for many,
many years). She was admited into the
hospital for pnemonia. (Please excuse all
spellings...I am upset and don't really
care)
They just told me that they now think it's
lung cancer and have given me two
options...
#1 - Biopsy - to determine 100% if it is
truly lung cancer. BUT...risks for her
lung collapsing because she also has
emphzeyma. If it does collapse she will
have to be on a ventalator.
#2 - PET Scan - which will not guaranty
100% if it is cancer...but can be almost
certain it is.
They said that I will have to do the
biopsy if I want to do the chemo/radiology
treatment path. But I should can do the
PET Scan if I choose to "let the cancer
run it's course". My mom also has early
Alzherimers (mild/moderate dementia),
emphyzemia, & osterioposis. She is very
weak.
I am confused and need some other advise
outside of my family. I am asking the
hospital for a second opinion also.
|
ehavemann
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 3 Location: New York, NY
Biopsy Is Safe Posted: 08-14-07 22:01pm
It's probaby too late for you to benefit
from this answer. My Mom is 79 and has
emphysema and cardiomyopathy (heart
condition), and on top of that was
diagnosed with lung cancer. They biopsy
they performed on my Mom was done via an
instrument inserted down the throat. This
is safer than the more invasive biopsy
(the type that you refer to) they
performed on my Dad a month ago to confirm
his lung condition (pulmonary fibrosis).
Although the lung cancer will kill my Mom
probably within weeks, the biopsy itself
was safe enough to do on my Mom. May God
bless our Moms.
