my mother is 78 and was eventually diagnosed with cancer in september, after being told by a consultant at her hospital she needed to buy new dentures and there was nothing wrong! She had a triple by pass 20+ years ago and therefore surgery and chemo are not an option. She has chosen not to have radiotherpahy because of the side effects. The cancer was originally near the tonsil and started approx 1cm, it is now 4cm and ct scan in oct showed it has spread to jaw. She is eating nothing at all now just fortisip drinks, she is in pain all the time, mnorphine is not helping. They think it is in the nerve endings and have tried her on 2 neuropathic drugs, gabipentin and pregbalin, but she had bad side effects to both so they have taken her off them. I hate to see her in so much pain and she is slowly losing the will to carry on, she is losing weight also. She is insulin dependant diabetic too. Has anyone had a similar experience or know someone who has, what i want to know is what will happen from here, how quickly will cancer spread, where to and what will happen? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hi Leathers

I am so sorry to read about your mom; what that first doctor did was irresponsible (at the very least).

Has she considered either an NG tube or a peg? Neither option is terribly pleasant or enjoyable, but it'd be easier than trying to use her mouth.

Dr Joshi would be the best person to answer your questions about meds, procedures and such.

Julia

I would advise have the radiotherapy and put up with the side effects as it will spread too quickly otherwise. Age and pre-condtions are considerations but my persoanl opinion is the alternative is worse. Others may suggest alternatives and I hope they do. You are in the best place for the best advice.
Tony

thanks for your message,my mum has made the decission that she will not have a pef or any other feeding tube. She has also ruled out radiotherapy. I have to accept her wishes and acccept she doesnt want these. I would like to know how quickly the cancer will spread and what to expect so i can prepare myself.

Hello leathers

I would agree with your decision to respect your mother's wishes. Please speak to her oncologist about the pain management. Sometimes radiotherapy is used in a palliative way to reduce pain and size of tumour.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank you for your reply Dr Joshi. My mother has is on morphine which is not helping, she has tried gabapentin, which hadside effects and her legs became very weak and she was falling, as she lives alone her gp felt it was best she stoped these. They then put her on pregbalin, whcih gave her huge skin blisters, so they stopped this. She is now on morphine only. Who can tell me how quickly the tumour will spread and what is likelt to happen to her from now? Thanks again