Why are the MD's in hospital pushing the cancer sufferer so strongly to have a chemo. ?

Question

I went to hospital today with my grandpa and the doctors told him about his cancer in the stomach. They said that an operation is unavoidable due to the blockage of food to duodenum.

Fine, he sign for the operation.

And than they started this chemo pressure. He refused and the two MD called another doctor, and another, and all of them telling him how important is to have this chemotherapy for his gastric adenocarcinoma. Why the pressure? Can't the patient have his own decision any more? Help us please. It is really important for him.

Answer 1

Of course it is his decision... but chemo is necessary. And plays a huge role in the outcome.

He can refuse though (patients can refuse anything they want)... but I wouldn't recommend it.

Answer 2

Chemo can be given for several reasons. Often, it's given to help cure cancer. unfortunately, sometimes the cancer is not curable. Chemo can then be given to lessen pain or suffering, improve symptoms and prolong life....it does have some side-effects sometimes, hair loss and nausea and weight loss to name few......

Answer 3

Chemotherapy is intended to kill off the microscopic malignant cells that 'seed' into the blood stream from the orignal cancer. These malignant cells are not visible and can travel throughout the body and lodge anywhere. Wherever they lodge they start a new cancer colony and repeat the whole cycle all over again indefinitely. This process is called metastasis . .and it is what makes cancer life threatening. I am not sure why the doctors did not make this clear to your grandfather . .as long as he is aware of what choice he is making . . that the only known way to kill microscopic and residual diesease is by chemotherapy . . than that is his choice. Many people think that if they can't see the cancer or they feel fine . . than why bother. But the problem is that the cancer is deceptive . . it can remain dormant . . the original tumor can send out hundreds if not thousands of malignant cells . . these small cells can hide in the body, remain dormant, and suddenly all at once the hundreds of cells begin to grow . . at the same time . . like mushrooms sprouting after a rainstorm. It is this ability of the cells to grow everywhere all at once that shocks people when suddenly they find themselves filled with cancer and there is nothing more a doctor can do. That is the danger. As long as your grandfather understands that he is taking a risk with his life and that the cancer could reoccur with a vengence anywhere in the body (but usually in the lungs, liver, or brain as that is where the blood path flows). His doctors have seen this happen with many, many other patients . . they've experienced it and have seen patients who have refused chemotherapy later regret their decisions. They have seen patients who take chemotherapy survive the disease or at least be given a fighting chance for survival. A doctor has seen that the best chance for long term survival for cancer . . is treatment in combination . . using chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation . . to try and stay in front of that growing and spreading cancer.

Your grandfather probably feels fine . . and is a patient that does not quite understand that cancer will not allow you to make a mistake. He gets one chance . .

You should do some research on the disease . . do not underestimate it:

NCI: Stomach cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types...

cancer.net: Stomach Cancer

http://www.cancer.net/patient/Cancer+Typ...

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer

http://www.asco.org/ASCO/Education+&+Tra...

Answer 4

hi sorry for ur problems , i agree with paramedic girl he has got every right to refuse treatment but it wont b in his best intrest mayb he just needs time to think things over for himself ,good luck hope all goes ok xx kirsty xx

Answer 5

The surgery is not promised to get all of the cancer.  Without chemo, the tumor will grow back/continue to grow.  Without chemo, it is a significantly high chance that the cancer will kill him.

If he doesnt want to pursue treatment, that is his choice.  But that choice will kill him. Thats why they are pressing for the chemo. They are going under the assumption that he wants to continue to live.  If thats an incorrect assumption, he needs to alert his docs that he wants palliative care only.

Answer 6

Yes it is his choice, and his own decision. But they want to prolong his life as much as possible, and improve his chances of survival. Chemo plays a huge role in that and they feel it's his best option.