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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Lung Cancer That Has Spread To Brain. Why Are There Breathing Issues?

my cousin has stage 4 small cell lung cancer in both lungs and it has spread to the brain they have told us cemo n raditation did not help there is nothing more they can do he has breathing problems coughing but most of all mood swings he was always a fairly kind person but no is always angry cussing and just is driving everyone even drs nurses and anyone he comes in contact with nuts we all tip toe around him n help with everyting but it is becoming very hard is this normal
Sun, 1 Sep 2013
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Oncologist,  's  Response
Stage 4 lung cancer which has spread to brain has a very poor prognosis.
Palliative RT to brain may relieve some symptoms.
If his type of cancer is adenocarcinoma then a particular test called EGFR mutation test from biopsy block may be of help.
If EGFR mutation is positive then oral chemotherapy Erlotinib ,Gefitinib can be given even in poor general condition of the patient.
The main side effects of Erlotinib and gefitinib is skin rash and diarrhea which can be managed with lactocalamine lotion and loperamide.
The development of skin rash is good prognosis.
For mood swings u can give haloperidol drug .
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Lung Cancer That Has Spread To Brain. Why Are There Breathing Issues?

Stage 4 lung cancer which has spread to brain has a very poor prognosis. Palliative RT to brain may relieve some symptoms. If his type of cancer is adenocarcinoma then a particular test called EGFR mutation test from biopsy block may be of help. If EGFR mutation is positive then oral chemotherapy Erlotinib ,Gefitinib can be given even in poor general condition of the patient. The main side effects of Erlotinib and gefitinib is skin rash and diarrhea which can be managed with lactocalamine lotion and loperamide. The development of skin rash is good prognosis. For mood swings u can give haloperidol drug .