Cancer Treatment Questions

1. What quality of life can my husband expect after a multiple myeloma diagnosis?

   The quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma is quite variable. Age and other related diseases all combine to affect the patient's ability to live a normal life. Patients who are on Revlimid can have blood clots and blood cell suppression as well as effects on the immune system...
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2. Why is my father's oncologist making him choose between chemotherapy or hospice?

   I do not know why your father's oncologist is saying that now he must choose between chemotherapy and hospice. There may be a reason, such as the lymphoma might be growing and it is important to treat it now. If that is so, your oncologist ought to be able to explain it...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

3. What is the prognosis for metastatic melanoma?

   Unfortunately melanoma in the eye that spreads to the liver is usually very bad. Everyone is different but when ocular (starts in the eye) melanoma goes to the liver, usually a person's prognosis is considered to be a few months. Nothing is sure but that is the expectation in most people
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4. How is eye cancer treated?

   There is no single answer to the question of what one does about eye cancer and no reasonable answer at all is possible without more information. This is because there are many different types of cancer that can develop in or on the eye and the eyelids. When your ophthalmologist has the results of the biopsy, you need to ask him or her this question...
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5. Can I Get Financial Assistance if I Take a Leave of Absence From Work During Cancer Treatment?

   The first thing to do is discuss your situation with your employer. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows employees to leave work for up to 12 weeks for medical treatment without losing their jobs. While the leave is unpaid, taking it -- as opposed to quitting -- allows you to continue your health insurance for at least 12 weeks...
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. What treatments are most successful for sarcoma?

   Of course you will want the medical oncologist's opinion on this, but have you considered clinical trials? ClinicalTrials.gov may have some opportunities to participate in new sarcoma treatments.
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

7. Does the Poly-MVA supplement show any good results?

   Poly MVA is a supplement made up of minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids. As far as I know, there have been no research studies that show Poly MVA as a beneficial cancer treatment. That being said, I also believe there is no real harm in taking it either, as it is just vitamins. If you think you would like to try it, go ahead...
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8. What to do when my spouse is refusing leukemia treatment?

   When someone you love has leukemia and is refusing treatment, it's tough to understand, especially with the many treatment options that exist.
   1 Expert Answer, 21 Community Answers

9. What do we expect if esophogeal cancer is untreated?

   Even at 85, it's difficult to watch a parent manage a cancer diagnosis, and it's natural to be scared. Your first step should be to ask the diagnosing physician or nurse practicioner specifically what you will see as the disease progresses in your mom.
   1 Expert Answer, 11 Community Answers

10. I went through treatment for stage 3 breast cancer in 2007....

    Both your oncologist and the doctors who perform colonoscopy procedures have your best interest in mind, however, I think your oncologist is referencing the ASCRS (American Society of Colorectal Surgeons) guideline, which recommends for women with a personal history of breast or female genital cancer to undergo a colonoscopy every 5 years...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

11. What next steps are there for endometrial cancer?

    Yes, radiation will shrink the nodes. Depending on how well she responds to the radiation, the next steps may be continued CT scans for monitoring or she may have the option of undergoing more chemotherapy. I would recommend asking the doctor for more specific information. Ask what stage her cancer is and what the prognosis is...
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

12. My mom is undergoing chemo - but she won't wash her hands!

    This can be so frustrating, but hang in there. You need to understand why she is not doing that. My guess is that extra step takes energy out of her that she may not want to use. It's an effort to go into another room, partially undress, bend, redress, balance, and walk back to where she was before...
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13. What cancer treatment option would be best for my father with severe dementia?

    This certainly is a very difficult decision with no obvious "right answer". I have not seen this specific situation but there are a couple of general considerations when thinking about cancer treatment in a patient with severe dementia.
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14. Is There Financial Help Paying for Cancer Treatments Not Covered by Insurance?

    Yes, but be prepared to spend a lot of time and energy finding out where and how to apply for help. Start with these simple strategies:
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

15. What's the best way to ask for a second opinion for breast cancer?

    Getting a second (or even a third) opinion is critical to identifying the right type of care, so don't let a prickly personality stand in your way.
    1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

16. Can you tell me about a drug called Sumitinib?

    Sunitinib malate (brand name Sutent) is a breakthrough drug approved by the FDA in 2006 to treat advanced renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer. Like sorafenib (brand name Nexavar), another new biologic treatment for renal cell cancer, sunitinib is a biologic therapy that suppresses tumor growth...
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17. How effective is Dioxil in treating sarcoma?

    It's very hard to answer a question about a drug's effectiveness because this depends on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer and other factors. Doxil, a formulation of doxorubicin encapsulated in "stealth" liposomes, is considered one of the first line treatments for Kaposi's Sarcoma. Doxil is an anti-cancer antibiotic...
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18. What are common symptoms of lymphoma?

    Lymphoma is a disease of the lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the body’s immune system. When the cells become malignant, not only do they change or stop their normal function to defend the body, but they multiply uncontrollably and create additional problems.
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

19. What types of food products inhibit or stop cancer growths like tumors, etc.?

    Foods such as fruits, vegetables, cold water fish, herbs and spices contain broad categories of compounds that have been shown to be exceptional sources of compounds that have the ability to interfere with the development of many cancers. Here are some examples:
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

20. What can you tell me about adenocarcinoma of the tongue?

    Adenocarcinoma is in fact rare, and is often accompanied by metastasis to other areas. You’ll need reliable sources of information. Try these:- National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at (800) 4-CANCER (422-6237)/ (800) 332-8615 (TTY) 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday, except Federalederal holidays (Eastern time)...
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