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What Is The Prognosis For Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer?
My mother is 85 years old and weighs 87 pounds and has stage 4 ovarian cancer it has spread from the kidney to the lungs. She does not want any treatment. The doctor says she has 3-6 months to live but may have 2 years. She lives in MI & I in CA. I want to go see her but she said no that is okay just come next summer like always do. I don't think see will make it that long what to you think?
Wed, 12 Aug 2015
Hello and I hope I can answer your question.
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of GYN cancer and stage 4 cancer, even with proper treatment, has only a 20 percent survival rate at 5 years from diagnosis. It is not possible to know how your mother will do without further treatment or how quickly her symptoms will get bad enough that she feels sick. I am glad she is doing well, but her physician is likely right about her prognosis. I do not get the impression that your mother has a realistic view of her situation, as many older people can be in denial about their health problems and their mortality. She actually may be sicker than what she reveals to you and seeing her in person may help you to judge for yourself.
So my advice, as a physician and as the granddaughter of a 101 year old cancer survivor, is to do what you think is right even if your mother doesn't think it is necessary. You will not regret the additional time you spend with her and you never know when things will go downhill, and they may do so quickly once that happens.
I wish the best for you and your mother and I hope my advice was helpful.
Sincerely, DR. Brown
Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of GYN cancer and stage 4 cancer, even with proper treatment, has only a 20 percent survival rate at 5 years from diagnosis. It is not possible to know how your mother will do without further treatment or how quickly her symptoms will get bad enough that she feels sick. I am glad she is doing well, but her physician is likely right about her prognosis. I do not get the impression that your mother has a realistic view of her situation, as many older people can be in denial about their health problems and their mortality. She actually may be sicker than what she reveals to you and seeing her in person may help you to judge for yourself.
So my advice, as a physician and as the granddaughter of a 101 year old cancer survivor, is to do what you think is right even if your mother doesn't think it is necessary. You will not regret the additional time you spend with her and you never know when things will go downhill, and they may do so quickly once that happens.
I wish the best for you and your mother and I hope my advice was helpful.
Sincerely, DR. Brown
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