brain scan

[Jill75]

one more question sorry! Would you recommend a brain scan? My mum (recently diagnosed stage 4) has been scanned from the neck to the waist. When I asked the oncologist how we would know if it’s spread tot he brain- he said he advised againgst a scan;

Psychologically very hard for a patient to handle this news

She would not be eligible for immunotherapy which is starting next week

she had an incident last week where she forgot a key part of an important phone conversation which has got me worried

many thanks in advance for any advice

[Cockailschemocancer]

Hi Jill - I thought it was standard to get a brain scan, I would ask again.

[Jill75 in reply to Cockailschemocancer]

yeah going to chase today

[Jill75 in reply to Jill75]

the oncologist said that if she is brain Mets then she can’t do the agreed immunotherapy- I think that was his reason for not doing the scan

[Cockailschemocancer in reply to Jill75]

I would ask for more info on this - I had a brain scan and cyberknife for my brain mets and immunotherapy? Keep asking the questions …

[KT22]

Please get a second opinion regarding a brain scan. My husbands GP requested one on two occasions for my husband as we had concerns. His oncologist refused & a couple months later he was taken to A&E where a scan showed mets to the brain & sadly too late to treat. I urge you to get the brain scan. I personally know of 3 people who’s brain mets were caught early & successfully treated.

[Jill75 in reply to KT22]

yes ok will do thanks for responding

[Jill75 in reply to Jill75]

I should also add- I am so sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle]

Hi Jill,

Sorry to hear about your mum, this must be an extremely worrying time for you. I think the right thing to do is to discuss this again with the Consultant who knows your Mum’s case. We would always advise that new symptoms be discussed with the Oncology team, so tell them your concerns about her forgetting the conversation. The team will know whether a scan is recommended based on new symptoms and should assist in an informed choice with regards to treatment options and limitations. I hope you get resolution today. Bear in mind If there is anything else you would like to discuss you can email ask the nurse at [e-mail] or call our free phone nurse led helpline number on 0800 358 7200 Monday to Thursday 0900-1700 and Friday 0900-1600

The Roy Castle Support Team

[sassassas]

Hi  Jill75

I'm sorry to read about your Mum.

I can only add to earlier comments. I was under the impression that a brain MRI was standard for staging lung cancer. My husband had one when he was initially diagnosed and then a 2nd (about 18 months post diagnosis) to make sure his brain was still clear. He is stage 4 and is successfully treated with immunotherapy.

If your Mum can't have immunotherapy because she has brain mets, then surely you should find this out. But as  Cockailschemocancer says, she had brain mets and immunotherapy so the advice you've been given sounds unusual. My husband's onc has suggested that if he did have brain mets, he would still continue on the IO.

- brain mets can be successfully treated with radiotherapy, so if she has them, it is really important to know about it sooner rather than later.

I hope you get some helpful answers from her team.

Sarah x