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Suggest Treatment For Rectal Cancer

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Posted on Mon, 25 Sep 2017
Question: My husband has rectal cancer. It has been decided that he can't have surgery, because of COPD and other problems.What options are there for him. He is 85.c
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Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (40 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Options are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or to let it be

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. I am sorry to know about your husband's ailment. However, could you please upload the medical notes which summarize the extent of tumor involvement. Also mention if a histopathological report is available (the one that can say what sort of cancer it is). Based on that chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be attempted.

Let me put the harsh facts before you. Once a cancer spreads (locally, to the lymph nodes, or distant) there is nothing that can be done and it is only a matter of time. In light of his condition you have taken a good decision in not opting for surgery. But in that case, ask yourself if you really need to go for steps that could prolong his life only slightly but would bring down the quality of life quite drastically. You would have to decide about the further course accordingly. In other words, you can simply let it be or you can give it a lost fight.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Rectal Cancer

Brief Answer: Options are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or to let it be Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. I am sorry to know about your husband's ailment. However, could you please upload the medical notes which summarize the extent of tumor involvement. Also mention if a histopathological report is available (the one that can say what sort of cancer it is). Based on that chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be attempted. Let me put the harsh facts before you. Once a cancer spreads (locally, to the lymph nodes, or distant) there is nothing that can be done and it is only a matter of time. In light of his condition you have taken a good decision in not opting for surgery. But in that case, ask yourself if you really need to go for steps that could prolong his life only slightly but would bring down the quality of life quite drastically. You would have to decide about the further course accordingly. In other words, you can simply let it be or you can give it a lost fight. Let me know if I could help further. Regards