I am supporting an elderly relative who was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer just a few weeks ago. He was readmitted to hospital with ascites, which is getting worse daily. He is going to be discharged in a few days and the hospital are not mentioning treating the ascites, which is causing huge discomfort and likely the cause of his breathing difficulties and not eating. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can help this patient be comfortable please?
My name is Gemma, and I am one of the cancer information nurses specialists here at Macmillan.
Welcome to our online community, thank you for getting in touch with your concerns about your relative’s symptoms. We are sorry to hear of your relative’s recent diagnosis of stage 4 prostate cancer, and that he is struggling with symptoms. It can be distressing to see a loved one with discomfort and breathlessness.
Ascites caused by cancer, that are causing symptoms, are usually treated by draining the fluid from the person’s tummy. This would rely on your relative being fit enough for the procedure itself, which can have effects on blood pressure and the heart.
When a person is not strong enough for the procedure the hospital team might consider using medicines such as water tablets (diuretics). If draining the fluid isn’t possible, medical teams would normally have a plan to manage each of the symptoms individually.
Sometimes there may be more than one reason for upsetting symptoms and your relative’s team should have been able to assess him well during his hospital stay.
It might be a good idea to ask for a conversation with your relative’s hospital medical team, or named nurse, if there is one. To discuss his particular situation and also any plans for him going home. It is never too early to start planning for going home from hospital.
It can be useful to ask for a holistic needs assessment to be carried out while still in hospital. This is a set of questions all about him and needs he might have, to make sure he has all the support and equipment he needs to be looked after well. This can often be done by any member of staff.
You may also like to ask who will be in charge of managing his symptoms at home. Sometimes this will be done by the GP And district nurses with home helps (if needed). Sometimes people will have a local palliative care team in support of them.
Supporting a relative with cancer can cause a wide range of fears and. Please do your best to look after your emotional and physical well-being; You may like to join one of our supportive forums, such as our Family and Friends space.
If you think discussing things in more detail would be useful please reach out to us on our *freephone number; 0808 808 0000. 8am-8pm 365 days a year.
Remember we are also here to support you, so please reach out to us if we can be of help.
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