Renal cell cancer that has spread to other side of body into arm bone?!
Question: Renal cell cancer that has spread to other side of body into arm bone!?
My beloved brother (whom I was caring for ) was only 58 when he died of liver failure 2 mths ago!. Now and at the same nursing home my Mother is taking therapy for her arm that just broke for no reason!. They did a CAT scan and said they found cancer of the kidney (clear cell carcinoma) that had spread to the bone in arm!. They called it mesatise (I think) They have told me there is no treatments they can do because of her age (84) but she sure doesn't look like it or act like it before) and the fact that becasue it had already spread to the bone it was probably all over the body!. I am there everyday no matter what just like I was with my brother!. The past few days she has been seeing things , getting really nervous, does'nt know how to dial a phone no!. (she was also diagnosised with mild demetia 4 yrs ago) she is getting to the point of not being able to even feed herself!. I feel so useless and my question is how fast does this type travel, could it be in brain!. why call in hospice now!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
We call in hospice when we think the prognosis is for a survival of less than six months!. This sounds like an appropriate situation for hospice - except she is already in a nursing facility - - hospice is particularly helpful in home care situations!.
Her age is not the main reason that no specific treatment such as chemotherapy is being recommended!. Our intravenous treatments for renal cell carcinoma metastatic to distant sites such as bone and brain are very poor!. There would be no chance of cure of she were 34 instead of 84 with today's treatments for this particular type of cancer!.
Comfort is the number one concern in this situation!. If this were my mother (who is almost 80 herself), I would want her to have good nursing care with symptom management - especially expert pain control!. There is a medical art to correct pain control!. This is where hospice nurses have extremely useful experience, but they need to be directed by a physician experienced with comfort management for end stage diseases such as this!. The average survival of "13 months" quoted in a previous answer is probably not an accurate estimate in your mother's case as you present it - especially if it turns out that she does have metastases to her brain as well as bone mets!.
Sorry I can't give you more cheerful information!. I think you will need to be prepared for a progressive downhill course in a matter of a few months!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Her age is not the main reason that no specific treatment such as chemotherapy is being recommended!. Our intravenous treatments for renal cell carcinoma metastatic to distant sites such as bone and brain are very poor!. There would be no chance of cure of she were 34 instead of 84 with today's treatments for this particular type of cancer!.
Comfort is the number one concern in this situation!. If this were my mother (who is almost 80 herself), I would want her to have good nursing care with symptom management - especially expert pain control!. There is a medical art to correct pain control!. This is where hospice nurses have extremely useful experience, but they need to be directed by a physician experienced with comfort management for end stage diseases such as this!. The average survival of "13 months" quoted in a previous answer is probably not an accurate estimate in your mother's case as you present it - especially if it turns out that she does have metastases to her brain as well as bone mets!.
Sorry I can't give you more cheerful information!. I think you will need to be prepared for a progressive downhill course in a matter of a few months!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother and now your mother's cancer diagnosis!. Sad to say!. !. !. it sounds like it's spread to the brain and it depends on the stage, type of cancer and the age and will power of the individual!. Sounds like it spread to her brain months ago!. I hope for the best and may she not have to suffer and you hang in there!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Dear Bunny,
The spread of your mother's kidney cancer to her arm ( a metastasis) is obviously a poor sign for the future!. She may well have spread to other parts of the body, including the brain!. Median (average) survival for patients with metastatic disease is about 13 months!. Thus, there is a great need for more effective surgical and medical therapies!.
At this point it might be well to contact Hospice just to find out what they are about and what they offer, You can decide later what choices to make!. Try to know or learn and honor your mother's end-of-life wishes if they are known!.
Please talk to your mother's treating doctor as he or she will know more exactly what to expect!. My prayers are with you and your mother!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The spread of your mother's kidney cancer to her arm ( a metastasis) is obviously a poor sign for the future!. She may well have spread to other parts of the body, including the brain!. Median (average) survival for patients with metastatic disease is about 13 months!. Thus, there is a great need for more effective surgical and medical therapies!.
At this point it might be well to contact Hospice just to find out what they are about and what they offer, You can decide later what choices to make!. Try to know or learn and honor your mother's end-of-life wishes if they are known!.
Please talk to your mother's treating doctor as he or she will know more exactly what to expect!. My prayers are with you and your mother!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
sorry for your situation!. i lost my mum last year to renal cell carcinoma(kidney cancer) she was only 60!. unfortunately your mum wont have long!. mum was sick only 4 months from diagnosis to the time she past it was that aggressive!. kidney cancer DOESNT respond to traditional chemo!. my mum towards the end started seeing things i think it was because her kidneys where failing and the cancer was probably in the brain at that point!. when mum was in palliative care she would often talk about the people playing tennis in her room!.!. and she didnt eat for about 3 weeks!. you need to sit down with your oncologist they are the best ones to get advice from!., and they would advise you about palliative care!. all the best!. xxWww@Answer-Health@Com