Is my Mom Dying - Recurrent Ovarian cancer: Surgery, Chemo for 2years. How long can she live?

	Asked by littleprcoqui (Male ) on Thu 03, Apr 2008 12:49pm :
	Mom has recurrent ovarian cancer had surgery removed everything including part of colon and omentum layer. and has been thru numerous chemos. On topotecan now. Her belly is so enlarged, not by fluid but by tumor. The cancer is all over it is in her liver, her lungs, everywhere. Now her feet are swelling and they put her on water pill. She is having difficulties breathing she is on oxygen. Is this a sign that she will be dying soon.
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	Answer by Dr Heinrik M, MD (oncologist) on Fri 04, Apr 2008 12:32pm: Hi, The actual estimates on survival are best answered by your doctor. The previous experience with treatment whether or not there was complete clearance of all traces of disease, the duration that prior chemotherapy kept the disease from progression, these give a rough guide as to success of the current planned treatment. Difficulty of breathing or the requirement for oxygen may be due to different things -it may only reflect the burden of the tumor limiting movement of the diaphragm. The other possibility is the extent of cancer in the lung, if this is the main reason for the difficulty breathing, this may bode poorly. Changes in sensorium, delirium, degree of alertness and wakefulness also indicate worsening condition. The same goes for weight loss. Another guide is the degree of dependency on others - if she is bedridden and requires help for activities such as feeding, this reflects more extensive disease burden (as it affects her daily living). The presence of the factors above lower the chances of survival. Mortality within 30 days may be as high as 30-40%. I understand that there are practical considerations in planning treatment that an estimate on survival should be addressed. A focus on quality rather than quantity of life should also be in perspective. More likely, the treatment is to improve symptoms. Discuss with your doctor if the treatment also has a good chance of making an impact on extending survival. Thank you for using our service.  If you are satisfied with the answer or if you want a detailed answer for your question, please make a donation and request for further clarifications.  Our oncologists will provide an elaborate answer for your clarification.   Please make a donation by clicking the button below. You may donate using funds from your PayPal account or Credit Card. Please rate my answer (select the stars below, no need to log in.)
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