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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Stage 4 Lung Cancer Curable With Chemo Treatment?

I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer on 6/12/13. I ve had 8 rounds of chemo (4 with taxol/taxotere and 4 with something else). I ve had 35 radiation treatments without any success. I am now going to start chemo again with gemzar. the last petscan showed that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and 2nd lung. Am I wasting my time starting chemo again. I really feel defeated.
Fri, 5 Dec 2014
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
But end stage lung cancer is not having good prognosis.
And since you are saying that now cancer had spread to other lung and nodes, this means worse prognosis.
The aim of chemotherapy is not to cure cancer. It is given to slow down progression and reduce the suffering.
So if you are not taking chemotherapy now, your life expectancy will be less than 6months. But with chemotherapy your life expectancy is less than 1 year and that too with reduced suffering. So better to start chemotherapy and no need for such negative attitude. You need psychiatric counselling for end of life issues.
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Is Stage 4 Lung Cancer Curable With Chemo Treatment?

Thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your situation and problem. But end stage lung cancer is not having good prognosis. And since you are saying that now cancer had spread to other lung and nodes, this means worse prognosis. The aim of chemotherapy is not to cure cancer. It is given to slow down progression and reduce the suffering. So if you are not taking chemotherapy now, your life expectancy will be less than 6months. But with chemotherapy your life expectancy is less than 1 year and that too with reduced suffering. So better to start chemotherapy and no need for such negative attitude. You need psychiatric counselling for end of life issues.