Prostrate or lung cancer?

[Lisa1414]

Not sure what to do and running out of time! My dad has been having issues with his prostrate and not being able to go to the bathroom for the past couple of months. After biopsy it showed small cell carcinoma in the prostrate. They saw a small mass on his pancreas and did a pancreatic biopsy and it came back small cell carcinoma. We are being told it is rare to find that in those two places and that there really aren’t good approved drugs for that type of cancer in that area. The doctors feel this started in his lungs. There are a couple small nodules also in his lung. Going to see about a biopsy of lung soon. We have spent 2.5 months trying to figure out where this cancer started and I don’t know how much more time we have to figure this out! They said it is aggressive and indicated we don’t really have time for a second opinion, but they would refer us if we requested. Since all the problems are in the prostrate area and not lungs I just don’t know what to think. They want to start chemo soon and treat as stage 4 lung cancer, but I just don’t know what to do. My dad has never smoked I’d like to think we could make it in time for second opinion to large hospital but it’s taken 2.5 months just to get things done at our local hospital. Suggestions please? And does anyone know if we start chemo and then get 2nd opinion who says do something different if that’s a bigger issue than just holding off on doing the chemo?

[Tall_Allen]

Please re-read my last reply to you. Have you contacted Dr. Beltran?healthunlocked.com/advanced...

[Lisa1414 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I did see that. I don’t know anything about this lady, but she sounds promising. What’s the odds of getting in with her ASAP? I’ll look into this.

[Tall_Allen in reply to Lisa1414]

Odds are good. Don't put it off.

[Bob10 in reply to Lisa1414]

Just seeing your post now I have Dr Beltran as my oncologist she is wonderful

[MCDaisy1972 in reply to Lisa1414]

Call Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Tell them you want a virtual second opinion with Dr.Misha Beltran urgently. My husband got an appointment within 2 weeks. Dana Garber handles obtaining all of the medical records. They are brilliantly efficient and have the best customer service of any hospital. She will spend 60 to 90 minutes with you. We now have bi-monthly virtual visits with her. She directs my husband's care through his local oncologist. If you are close to Boston,see her in person. She gets things done instantly, like the next day. There is no time to waste with small cell cancer as it does rapidly and aggressively spread.

[Shooter1]

Good luck. You will find you have to be your own advocate. Drs may just put you on a shelf to get to when it's convenient.

[j-o-h-n]

I may have posted this to you before.... "I have lung melanoma cancer being treated with Keytruda and it's working".... God Speed for your Dad....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 12/09/2020 9:59 AM EST

[CalBear74]

Please follow the Dr. Beltran referral from Tall Allen!

[dentaltwin]

My understanding is that determining the primary tumor in metastatic small-cell carcinoma sometimes (but not always) determines treatment options. Sometimes this can be determined by a technique called immunohistochemistry. If this has been done, and if the primary tumor has indeed been determined to be lung cancer, you should attempt to find this out and whether this can influence treatment.