Sclc no treatment, what to expect?

My mum had barely any symptoms and then, out of the blue, told she had incurable lung cancer that had already spread quite a lot. Just as we were getting over the shock, we were suddenly thrown into medication schedules, caring for her, arranging carers and talking about hospices. 17 weeks later (March this year), she passed away.

Unfortunately, all cases are different so it's hard to predict what will happen. All I know is that, despite the enormity of it all, you somehow find the strength and adaptability to manage each new challenge as it arises regardless of how quickly it seems to be changing. Because you love them. Because you want them to be as comfortable and as unafraid as possible. And because you know that time is so limited and irreplaceable. 

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Its a cruel disease which feels especially heartbreaking at this time of year. 

Thanks very much. It feels so strange, fortunately I work from home so although I live an hour away Monday- Friday I have chosen to stay with her. I am enjoying this time with her but it’s just so sad and it’s all happened so quickly. 

Everybody dies but you just don’t like to imagine the time when it will happen.

thanks very much x

My mother was diagnosed with (limited stage) SCLC and had to start chemo almost immediately. Unless a patient is too frail to undergo chemo or chemoradiation, they will almost certainly receive a combo of cisplatin and etoposide for six cycles. We were told this treatment is generally well tolerated. Other medications can help with side effects. And indeed, fatigue has been my Mum's main side effect. She had already lost a lot of weight at the time of diagnosis, but so far has still managed to get through four cycles and kept living more or less as before, cooking and some household tasks. The introduction of 33 radiation sessions concurrent with two chemo cycles, did cause additional side effects. So the treatment does take it out of a patient, even if usually at the end of each cycle and before the start of the new chemo cycle, she feels quite good. 

So unless your gran is too frail and weak, she would still benefit from chemo, not as a curative treatment but a palliative treatment, even if she has extensive stage SCLC. I would push the oncologist / pneumologist to clarify their position with regard to treatment.

Wishing you lots and lots of strength. It is a very difficult period for the patient, fighting for her life in the fight of her life, and for her carers.

Hi, thanks very much but she is too weak for any treatment. 

we can ask again thanks x

Hi Outlook, I am so sorry to find you here, your poor Gran.  My Mum, 78yrs, has extensive SCLC and got lots of Chemo and it gave her a further 16 months but she was fit and strong enough to cope, was still working part-time right up to diagnosis.  Chemo can be quite harsh and sometimes if they are frail, they wont cope and end up worse off or too ill.  I suggest you speak to the oncologist and ask why!! and it may just give you a little more clarity. SCLC if caught early enough (limited) there are treatment options that can keep it at bay.  My Mum, like your Gran there is only one outcome and it is bloody harsh, scary and down right unfair.  At this point, my Mum, after a hard fight, is now end of life. Like you we now have the MacMillan Nurse popping in and and we have all the meds to assist her through this pain free.  She is fully Jaundiced as hers has spread to her liver, lymph and spine.

Sometimes, for us we want them to take anything and everything but it is not always best for the bodies and wellbeing. Chemo is very harsh, Mum got cisplatin and etoposide for six cycles, this stopped working and she got 2 CAV and it nearly killed her, the pain was horrific.  She stopped herself so she could enjoy her final months.  She got her last one at the beginning of Sept and we are in Dec and it is only now that she is feeling poorly.  Sometime its about the quality of life.

Your Oncologist will know best, they see it everyday.

I am sad for you and your Gran, that she is to weak for treatment.  How is she coping with the news? What age is she, if you don't mind me asking.

All my love to you both T xx

Hi, 

It’s already in both lungs and she has COPD. We only found out as she fell in the bath and had to get an x-ray done and since then she’s gotten so breathless but other then that and being quite weak she is fine. She also got pneumonia and was in hospital for two weeks. This was a month ago, the week before that she was on holiday! Crazy how quickly it has all happened. She got an X-ray in July and it wasn’t there then. 

it just seems strange they aren’t doing any follow ups they’ve just sent her home to wait. We know it’s in both lungs but they haven’t checked to see if it’s anywhere else they’ve just told her it will spread and looks to be doing so quite quickly. 

I have been reading your posts about your mum she has done so well, that’s nice. I’m sorry you are where you are now. It’s reassuring she stopped chemo a few months ago and is only just starting to feel ill. This gives me a little hope as we were thinking that it might be a matter of weeks. 

shes 80 

thanks very much xx

Hi, Yes it does spread so fast, that's the problem with it.  My Dad has a different Lung cancer, we don't know what kind as he was to weak to get a biopsy and was given no treatment as he is to weak to cope with it, he also has COPD at 81yrs. I was raging, he needs something, but he was happy not to go through that.  He's had a whole load of other issues though. Since his diagnosis 2yrs ago he is the best he can be considering.

You take care and if you need to ask anything, just message me and I will be as honest as I can.

Love T xx