Mum 86 treatment??

Hi my mum was diagnosed in August with lung cancer from fluid taken from around her lungs.She has had various scans/MRIs ane they have said all other areas are clear.She has had 3 biopsy the last under general aneasetic, where they also inserted a drainage tube for plural effusion to allow the fluid to be taken off every 2 days at home. Her breathing/sleeping/eating has improved due to this.

Yesterday she saw the consultant for her results to be told again that the biopsy was inconclusive again,and they are reluctant to do another as she suffered severe bleeding last time.

So they still dont know what type of cancer and have offered no treatment apart from steroids when she goes back next week.

We,are all a little baffled as to why they cant see what cancer it is after so many scans,bloods etc.

And does being offered no chemo etc nean they are not telling us shes end of life?

[kri312]

I am sorry to hear this - I believe they can not definitavely diagnosis this without pathology. I had Lung Ca 5 years ago and recently scans showed "something". Initially thought scar tissue but sent me for more to help my mind, bronch was "inconclusive", PET lit up slightly but still read as "inconclusive", waited 4 months and repeated the PET - lit up again but still "no diagnosis". Surgeon said let's just go in - after surgery he said it was out and "benign" but needed to go to pathology obviously! 6 days later said it was stage 1. Saw him yesterday and he said there was no definite nodule in the resection and just some scattered cells embedded in the previous scar tissue. Thankfully margins were clear. I said "how can there be so much uncertaintly all these months" and he said "needs to go to pathogly for final determination". Hoping she feels well and can remain comfortable.

[RoyCastleHelpline Partner Ask the Nurse Roy Castle in reply to kri312]

Hello Primrose23

I am very sorry to hear that your mum has been through so much yet with no conclusive diagnosis. There are different types of treatment options for lung cancer, you mentioned chemotherapy, however there are other options such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, these treatments are available for patients who have a specific mutation in their tumor such as EGFR, ALK, PDL1 etc. this is likely why they have been trying to biopsy.

Below I have added a link to our website which explains the treatment options including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

roycastle.org/app/uploads/2...

At your next appointment ask the oncologist what are the treatment options that they would consider.

There is a lung cancer pathway from NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), where it is presented as a flow chart and you can look up the type of cancer and see the recommended treatment options. When you click on the link, click on the icon that looks like a mobile phone and this open up to another page with the flow chart: nice.org.uk/guidance/condit...

For support for yourself and your mum Maggie’s centres are a great place to have a cuppa and a chat, they provide practical, financial and emotional support; maggies.org/

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.

Kind Regards

Roy Castle Support Team