Will chemotherapy be successful after a failed Radiotherapy session?

Hi Marlerni. Your Mother has had an awful few months it seems -and this must be so stressful for you as well. I’m not sure anyone here will have had a similar experience to you -its rare for cancers to be so immune to treatment I should think. The only people who can advise you are the medical team who know your mother’s case well. I’m sure they will be happy to talk through the pros & cons of the chemo. Undoubtedly there are tough side-effects with chemo which your mum will have to deal with in her already weakened state, but what other option do you have? It’s up to you and your Mother to weigh up all the information you have and decide if she is prepared to try the chemo - it won’t come with a guarantee of success I’m sure, but maybe the chances are good.......?

You could ask for a second opinion from another hospital/team/doctor, and in your difficult circumstances this wouldn’t be unreasonable, although I don’t know how you go about this. 

I wish you and your mother well and hope you come to a decision you are happy with. If she goes ahead with treatment do come back here and ask any questions, as many of us have had chemo for Head & Neck cancers of different sorts.

Hilary

I can't help with you mum's particular problem but I know someone that had cancer all over his body and was cured (fingers crossed) with chemo over several months his biggest problem now is his balance if he does to much, he was being treated about the same time as me so 4 1/2 years ago, from this I would say it can work but as I also have heard different cancers respond in different ways so it is not to say your mothers would but is a good sign.

Hi Marlerni, good advice from Hilary and Ron, i will not add much to what has been said. Having the chemotherapy could help shrink the tumour making it more manageable and hopefully stop it growing, I have known of people having just chemotherapy with good results making a full recovery so it does have a part to play sometimes. It sounds as if your mum's consultant wants to give it a last try but you and your mum need to have a long talk with the consultant before you decide. Wishing you the very best in what you decide to do , best wishes.

                                                                        Chris x  

Hi Hilary, 

Thank you for the advice. I agree the doctors are trying to give the last shot. The main concern here is will that be the right decision for my mother. But I know is she is not ready to go and the chemotherapy might cause her to be weaker. I will go for a second opinion before we decide further. 

Regards 

Marlerni 

Hi Marlerni, forgot to say i had radio and chemo after my first surgery, i was 49 and fit other than the cancer so it made my choice easier to make. You are right in getting a second opinion as long as its not a long wait and can be done as quickly as possible . Take care

                                                                     Chris x.

Hi Marlerni

I have sent you a friend request. Maybe I can throw some light on a second opinion?

Hi Beesuit

Would it be possible to also add me to your friend request. 

Long story short Hubby has asked for a second opinion following dissatisfaction with his consultant following surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for Advanced but locally contained SCC +HPV16.  

Our GP was accepting of the request and he has an appointment on 2nd January.  I dont want to go into all the problems and difficulties here but any assistance about what to ask, patient rights etc would be gratefully received.

Many thanks

Hi Beesuit,

Let me know what you have in mind in concern of this. 

Thank you. 

Marlerni 

Hi Chris, 

Thank you. 

So far another oncologist has said the prognosis is not good but chemotherapy is being an option to prolong her life. 

However an alternative medicine had mentioned they are able to treat her but she needs to be in India for sometime for the treatment. Family is considering this as an option as the chemotherapy may weaken her and it might me too late to go for any alternative medicine.

Marlerni 

Hi BrandyGirl. 
Getting a second opinion is very common and accepted - remember cancer treatment is as much judgement as science - there is never ‘one right answer’. However remember the new practitioner will start from first principles so will need all of your husbands records and results. It also helps to be clear on the clinical history - his story of how the cancer originally presented, how it responded to treatment, symptoms, side effects etc. Also any other health conditions or lifestyle factors. It can often help to write all of this down in a logical, chronological order. Also be clear on what you both want from the treatments available. Is it maximum cure potential, or something else? Also be prepared that you may be given options, so be prepared to make some quite quick decisions. I saw a couple of different consultants before making one of my treatment decisions. In the end it was the experience of one of them in framing the choices that made the difference. Good luck.