cancer treatment

[bond]

my father has lung cancer and is 77, he has received a several weeks of chemotherapy, and now will have radiotherapy. i know the difference between them, but dont really know the reasons and logistics about why one happens before the other. i know its very specific to the person being treated about how long they may live etc (ie we just don't know), but i just wanted some others peoples thoughts and experiences if they have been through anything similar. how do gp's decide what's best and when and how long treatment should go on for? it has not spread apparently. sorry for the sad question, but im a bit in the dark about it all. thanks.

[LazyGun]

Hi bond, sorry to hear about your father and his lung cancer - My mum has just had to undergo treatment herself for lung cancer, so I can empathise.

Obviously I dont know the specifics of your fathers tumour, so I cant comment directly. Broadly speaking, there are 3 treatment modalities.
1. Surgery
2. Chemotherapy
3. Radiotherapy.

These treatment modalities can be used in isolation or combination, depending on the clinical evidence supporting the particular treatment regimen. The type of treatment offered is very dependent upon the type of cancer ( small cell or non small cell, for instance), the stage the tumour is at ( stage 1 being small and localised, stage 4 being large/diffused and metasized to other organs), the location of the tumour, and the underlying health of the patient.

Chemotherapy comes in 2 types - cytotoxic and hormone. In this case, the chemo will probably be cytotoxic, and the aim of the therapy is to slow/halt the spread of the cancer, and to reduce/remove some of the tumour mass. The unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy it doesnt just target cancer cells, but healthy cells as well, hence the severe side effects. Often you will see a treatment plan that uses chemo to systemically and non specifically attack the tumour. Radiotherapy is then used, since radiation kills cells also. Radiotherapy is a targeted therapy.

Offering the 2 therapies together often gives the best chance of treating the cancer.

All the best to you and your dad. You may find the following link useful ;

http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=91

[sara3]

I wish your father well, bond x

[20SilkCut]

I cant give a better answer than lazy-gun, but my thoughts are with you and your father...

Perhaps you can get a chat with your father's oncologist and see if they will explain his treatment regime to you, so that you may understand a little better. They are usually very helpful and will explain things to you in laymans terms.

Good luck with everything x

[bond]

hi, thank you all for your answers, and especially to lazygun for the link. i am surprised by the information in the link says that chemo and/or radiotherapy suggests it could cure the cancer, i thought treatment could only keep it at bay and stop it from spreading. i thought there was no cure for cancer once you have it, but i understand it is very specific to how an individual reacts to treatment etc and their overall health. at my dads age of 77 im preparing myself for the worst, the best thing is that he is in good spirit and he thinks he willl live another 20 years. i hope he does !