My dad was admitted to hospital with severe stomach pain. Once cts and all of that was done, it seemed as though it was a stomach ulcer was found. They also found that his liver was enlarged and had some lesions on it. Upon doing a full body scan, they found further lesions on his spleen and lungs (he was a smoker for 30 years, but quit about 15 years ago). They have done a liver biopsy and we are waiting for the results now. He doesnt appear yellow or sickly at all and the ulcer medicine is helping his stomach. My question is what the chances are that he has cancer - he is 58 years old and a bit over - weight. If it IS cancer, what is the prognises - eg how long would he be expected to have left and what would we have to expect ?
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your concern. Possibility of cancer is high in your fathers' case because he is smoker and having multiple lesions in liver, lungs and spleen. So possibility of metastatic disease is more. Biopsy is must for the confirmation of cancer. So if biopsy is positive for cancer, he will be having stage 4 disease. And stage for cancer is inoperable and incurable. Palliative treatment in the form of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, pain management and nutritional support is needed. Life expectancy in such cancer is usually less than 2 years. So better to first collect biopsy report and then start appropriate treatment. Hope I have solved your query. Wishing good health to your father. Thanks.