Hey all!
I got back from my biopsy today, suspected Sarcoma of some kind, approx 7cm long in my thigh, which by my reckoning puts me in potential Stage 3 territory, which is obviously concerning to me, though I am still waiting for a definitive diagnosis.
Will have to wait after 2 weeks for my results, but I saw my MRI while waiting for the procedure to start, and everything is feeling much more real and threatening than it did before. From my research prognosis is better than some other forms of Cancer, but is still sitting at around 50% 5 year survival for stage 3, 17% for metastasis or stage 4. I am feeling that my prognosis is not as good as I thought it was, though I am not sure if this is me catastrophising. I am also aware that the best resource to trust with regards to prognosis is my doctors, so will rely on that info when I get it.
Anyone got any tips, advice, etc? I am coming to the terms with the fact that this may actually kill me, not sure how to deal with this, how to broach this with family, friends, etc. Personally I believe they have the right to know if this is bad news, even if it is not worst case scenario news. Not sure how to do this.
I look forward to talking with all of you.
Thanks!
Hi YoRhA and welcome to our community though sorry to read about what brings you to us. For me my wife has Leiomyosarcoma - stage 4 at diagnosis.
Janice was very clear she was not interested in a prognosis when she was diagnosed and I really struggled with that. It took me a while but got to the point where I realised how right she was - 10 years plus since diagnosis now and still going strong.
One of the issues with prognosis, even more so with sarcoma due to the comparatively rarity, is how accurate are those statistics. Also why do they stop at 5 year survival. Having looked at this some the 5 year bit is down to trying to distinguish between people who die from cancer vs people who die with cancer - I have known plenty in the later category in my years on year and of course seen friends die from all sorts of things even not having cancer.
Talking is generally great but people can find this really awkward, it can help to look at our pages on talking about cancer and remember they too can come here - especially our Family and friends forum
<<hugs>>
Steve
