Secondary cancer

[ummmm]

My Nan had a mastectomy in Dec 10. The last few weeks she's been suffering with pains in her back. After tests and scans we've been told she has secondary cancer in her bones. They are not going to treat the cancer.

Has anyone had any experience with this? Does it come back more aggressive? Is there a standard time scale?

[Sqad]

<<<<Does it come back more aggressive? <<<

These are secondaries and aggression of the primary tumour does not come into the issue................the secondaries indicate widespread dissemination of the cancer which is not, on the whole, good news.

<<<<Is there a standard time scale?<<<

For what?

[PringlesQueen]

Hi ummm
Sorry to hear about you Nan.
Cancer UK website has alot of useful information on it , which may be of some use to you :http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/bone-cance
r/

[PringlesQueen]

Sorry, link again: http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/type/bone-cancer/

[Sqad]

squalminney

This one of my many objections to medical websites......they may well be misguiding.

That link is for primary bone cancer and has NOTHING to do with the OP´s query which is of secondary bone cancer.

[PringlesQueen]

Clicking on my link does go on to explain about secondary bone cancer. The short cut to that part can be found here:
http://www.cancerhelp...ch_form&OffsetValue=4

I chose to include the original link as the site was very helpful to me when I was in a similar position to ummmm.

[Sqad]

So it does squsalminney..........on reflection you are quite right......but someone with little medical knowledge and in an emotional state may not see it that way.

[ummmm]

Thanks squsalminney xx

Sqad...time scale to die.

[jackthehat]

Oh, ummmm :o(

I'm so very, very sorry..................

[ummmm]

Grandad doesn't know yet. He's still in hospital :-(

[mazie]

Really sorry ummmm xx

[jackthehat]

Hells teeth !

How is he ?

[Sqad]

ummmm...the survival rates depend upon many factors...age, type of tumour, the organ of spread, in which part of the country that you live and in which country in Europe you love.
Survival rates are an average:

For you grandmother.........she has a 20% chance of surviving 5 years.

[DEN53]

So sorry to hear this Ummmm, about your Nan. Is she still in the Care Home or in hospital.

[ummmm]

He's actually doing really well. He was rushed in nearly two weeks ago after having a really bad hypo. They decided to keep him in to do some rehabilitation. He seems to be enjoying it there....

[ummmm]

Thanks everyone...

All I know at the moment is it's in her bones. The pain she has is in her lower back. She's being treated with morphine only. She's 80 with dementia.

[mazzywoo]

So sorry to hear about your Nan Ummmm. Thinking of you xx

[rowanwitch]

They might not treat her at the moment but might consider some radiotherapy later for pain control... really sorry to hear Ummmm, 2011 isn't starting too well for you...hope things improve as the year goes on..

[ummmm]

Unlikely Rowan :-(

I think their decision not to treat the cancer is because of the dementia and her age. The mastectomy was very confusing for her. We had to explain everyday whats happened. She still had her humour though...asking me how she was going to get a man looking like she does....

Thanks Mazzy :-)

[Dris]

Aw ummmm :((( x

[Jan1957]

I too am so sorry to hear about your Nan ummmm. I have found recently that the Macmillan website is quite good for talking to people on line who have experience with secondary cancer. I'm sure you are aware of the site but it is well worth trying to see if there is someone who can help you.