74 year old man has open heart quad bypass on december 23. TWO WEEKS LATER DOCTORS DISCOVER STAGE iv LUNG CANCER THAT HAS moved to the bones. Recovery from surgery seems to be progressing but he is suffering from fatigue, no appetitie, drastic weight loss and pain. He has had no cancer treatments yet, they are waiting for him to get stronger. That does not seem likely. Any comments? Please
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Survival for stage 4 cancer is usually 2 years with good supportive care and chemotherapy. Since it is stage 4 cancer therefore treatment is chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The fatigue and loss of appetite is because of the combined effects of bypass surgery and cancer. Pain is one of the important points to take care. If the cancer has spread to bones then there will be pain which requires pain relief. This has to be discussed in detail with the palliative medicine specialist and dose adjustment has to be made. Please include a diet containing 2200 kcal daily and this should include proteins. Please do not worry.