Questions About Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis

1. Is it fair to hide a cancer diagnosis from a spouse to avoid feelings of pity?

   Question - The previous answer is detailed and thoughtful. I'd just like to add a few points. First, getting cancer to begin with isn't "fair"; I know, I'm 48 and 1+ year breast cancer-free. When you first get a diagnosis, your brain freezes up and one thought usually pops into your head; what that is depends on the person...
   2 Community Answers

2. Since her cancer diagnosis, my mother has seemed very depressed. Does she need professional help?

   Question - Living with cancer is one of the most stressful and destabilizing things that can happen to someone, and depression, mood swings, anger -- even serious mental illness -- are very common. You may feel like you know your mother well, and suddenly she's different...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

3. My mother has been depressed since her cancer diagnosis; how can I persuade her to see a therapist?

   Question - Here's something else to think about: perhaps someone in her circle of friends has a success story of seeking professional advice -- from clergy, doctor in the family, even support hotlines.
   2 Expert Answers, 7 Community Answers

4. How do you overcome denial of death?

   Question - I confirmed with a surgical oncologist about an infected central line, and you are right. This is a "pre-terminal" event and she will not recover from this without removal of the line. But commonly, cancer patients will see a short improvement in health that preceeds death; one chaplain I know says it...
   1 Expert Answer, 11 Community Answers

5. Can a blood test detect cancer?

   Question - Blood test detection of cancer is not the best way to go but it is important to determine what you are actually concerned about. Depending on your age , family history and specific symptoms you may have there are more specific ways to look for cancer . Sometimes we can worry ourselves in to a bad situation thinking that we are going to get cancer...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

6. What does an inconclusive biopsy mean?

   Question - Inconclusive could mean that there were not enough cells to test, based on the biopsy sample, or something could have gone wrong during the shipping and handling of the tissue, which hindered the pathologist ability to analyze the cells.
   1 Expert Answer

7. My mother won't let us talk to her doctor to clarify her diagnosis; what can we do?

   Question - First, I have to help you remember about HIPAA, which protects patient privacy. What this means for you is that your mother must give you and your sister permission in writing for the doctors or other medical professionals to share your mother’s health information. If she has not given that permissision, you cannot go to the doctors directly...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

8. What can we expect after a diagnosis of gulotta carcinoma?

   Question - Carcinomas affect cells that cover body structures or cells that line the body cavity, internal organs and glands. It is the most common class of cancers, and it includes lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. While I'm unfamiliar with gulotta carcinoma, it's likely that you and your boyfriend will be facing similar situations as others fighting carcinomas...
   1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

9. How can I overcome my father's refusal to ask for help with his cancer care?

   Question - Such secretiveness is not at all uncommon, and it's almost always a generational issue. Your father grew up in a very different era: 50 years ago, there was a great deal of fear and secrecy surrounding cancer, and people rarely talked about it.But they also didn't have much hope of a cure; a diagnosis of cancer usually meant a long, slow decline...
   1 Expert Answer

10. Should I get a second opinion for ovarian cancer diagnosis?

    Question - Yes, get a second opinion, and don't delay. With your family's history, you'll want to be smart and act quickly.
    1 Expert Answer

11. Does a lung mass equal cancer?

    Question - Hi. It is important to ask your doctor what type of mass you have. A mass can be cancer as well as not. Your doctor will tell you what test have been done and what type of mass, cancer or not you have. It is of ten intimidating to ask doctors important questions but you should schedule time in the office...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

12. Do oncologists check if you have metastasized breast cancer?

    Question - I was diagnosed 1 year and 1 month ago with metastatic breast cancer. Went in for what I thought was a pulled muscle in my upper back and got the diagnosis that it already was in my bones, bone marrow, lungs and liver...I had no earlier symtoms, the oncologist didn't recommend any surgery, just started...
    4 Community Answers

13. What is the prognosis for adenocarcinoma?

    Question - My mum underwent a hysterectomy in 2005 due to endometrial cancer. After that, during regular checks in 2008, a cyst was found but as the oncologist did not find it dangerous he said to ignore and followup with a PET scan in six months. The PET scan showed increased uptake in two areas. Surgery was done and adenocarcinoma deposits were found in three areas...

14. Should I continue my cancer treatment?

    Question - Given the information that I have, I would say that for long term cancer treatment, the main reason for continuing, without cure as an option, is exactly prolongation of life. That is up to you if your oncologist is offering further treatment...
    1 Expert Answer

15. What are common leg or jaw bone cancer symptoms?

    Question - how can you tell if you have jaw bone cancer? i have a lump at the side of my jaw bone near my chin and its swollen and it feels hard also its hard to open my mouth wide.
    2 Community Answers

16. Will an OTC cough remedy help Mom's cough?

    Question - My Mom has been diagnosed with lung cancer; a walnut sized tumor in one lung and an avocado sized mass in the other. She has had x-rays and a CAT scan but no biopsy and may choose not too. It has metastasized, according to the person who read the CAT scan, but has not spread to her adrenal glands, yet...

17. What is neoplasmy cancer?

    Question - My doctor just told me I have neoplasmy cancer. What is that? What do I need to do for it? What steps do I need to take?

18. What are the common side effects for Stage IV cancer medications?

    Question - My family memeber is 65 and was diagnosed with clear cell renal cancer Stage IV. His kidney was removed but the cancer had spread to some lymph nodes. He had been taking Sutent for 2 months but was taken off due to the side effects. The doctor mentioned possibly starting Nexavar. What should we expect in side effects or prognosis...

19. My sister's breast cancer spread to her spine, is this still treatable?

    Question - I had wanted to read what had been written, since I have breast cancer and it moved to my spine in 3 spots
    1 Community Answer