Hi,
I am a long way from my mum right now she’s in another country having treatment, so I am unable to get all the information. But she’s had throat cancer both sides for a year, and it has no gone into her lung. She currently cannot have anymore treatment as her white blood cells are too low. Do you have any advice on if there’s still a good chance for treatment working?
all the best and thank you
Hi Karabphoto,
Welcome to our online community. My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.
We’re sorry to hear about your mum’s cancer diagnosis. It must be hard for you while your mum is in another country.
As a UK charity, it is difficult for us to reply in detail to questions about people with cancer who live outside the United Kingdom. This is because there are differences in health services and care in other countries. You can read about the UK standard treatment for head and neck cancer and also secondary lung cancer here on our website.
Cancer treatment can affect the immune system, including white blood cells. Usually, the body will naturally recover these cells in the time between treatments, but sometimes they don’t, and the immune system remains too low to safely give treatment as planned. This is common and many people have at least one treatment delayed, with little to no impact to how well treatment works.
If this is happening regularly, the cancer team may suggest giving an injection top help boost the recovery of the immune cells (G-CSF) or even consider reducing the dose or changing how often treatment is given. Sometimes treatment may have to stop all together.
It might help to check for overseas cancer organisations in the country your mum is being treated.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref: AC/CF
