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Suggest Treatment For Loose Motion And Loss Of Apetite

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Posted on Fri, 24 Oct 2014
Question: Hi Sir,



My grand pa is getting lose motions and his weight is 38. His age is 84. he cant eat anything properly. Please advise what treatment needs to be given as he is very weak.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Antimotility drugs and appetite stimulant.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Your grandfather is suffering from stage 4 cancer.

Immunohistochemistry test needs to be done in the biopsy specimen to find the primary source of cancer.

Discuss the above test with a pathologist.

I would also advise a PET scan.

Since he is 84 years of age and is very weak aim of treatment now should be palliative chemotherapy with basic supportive care.

Since he is having loose motions i would advise stool culture test for him.

Antimotility drugs can be given with the advise of doctors prescription.

If any growth is found in the stool culture then it has to be treated with appropriate sensitive antibiotic.

Since he cant eat anything and is underweight i would also advise appetite stimulant syrup for him.

Once the primary source of cancer is identified then treatment can be started accordingly.

Regards

DR DE


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (11 minutes later)
is it adviseable to go for chemo at this stage?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
oral chemotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hi

At his age he will not tolerate injectable chemotherapy.

However if certain mutation tests are found positive in his biopsy sample then he can be given oral chemotherapy which has lesser side effects along with basic supportive care which will palliate his symptoms and increase his overall survival.

Regards

DR De
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Monish De (4 minutes later)
how many years of survival can be expected if we do or if we dont
doctor
Answered by Dr. Monish De (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
9 months to 1 year

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Since your grandfather is already in stage 4 of his disease with palliative chemotherapy average overall survival will vary from 9 months to 1 year.

Without chemotherapy average survival time is 3 to 6 months.

If you have no more clarifications then please rate the answer and close the thread.

Regards

DR De
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Monish De

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 2229 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Loose Motion And Loss Of Apetite

Brief Answer: Antimotility drugs and appetite stimulant. Detailed Answer: Hi Your grandfather is suffering from stage 4 cancer. Immunohistochemistry test needs to be done in the biopsy specimen to find the primary source of cancer. Discuss the above test with a pathologist. I would also advise a PET scan. Since he is 84 years of age and is very weak aim of treatment now should be palliative chemotherapy with basic supportive care. Since he is having loose motions i would advise stool culture test for him. Antimotility drugs can be given with the advise of doctors prescription. If any growth is found in the stool culture then it has to be treated with appropriate sensitive antibiotic. Since he cant eat anything and is underweight i would also advise appetite stimulant syrup for him. Once the primary source of cancer is identified then treatment can be started accordingly. Regards DR DE