Re: For those of you with Medline access........

From: J (virtual_at_privacy.net)
Date: 02/23/05 

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2005 02:46:51 -0500

Steph wrote:

> >>
> >> The paper is very careful to state that it only includes people being
> >> treated with curative or adjuvant intent, not patients with metastatic
> >> disease.
> >> It also points out that the survival improvements from chemotherapy for
> >> patients with metastatic disease would certainly be even less.
> >> What positives of partial responses are you referring to?
> >
> J: > Well, if a tumor shrinks or lesions disappear at year one or two (on
> > chemo), that's viewed as a positive by the patient.
> >
>
> Yes. Viewed as positive by the patient, and often the oncologist. But does
> it mean anything? Just like does a reduced tumor marker mean anything?. It
> might, it might not.

Well, I hear you, Steph.

But a post-treatment anxiety sets in and many oncologists seem willing to
oblige.

And (I realize we're not talking about mets), I see on an ovarian cancer support
webpage, a UK'er has been told too aggressive, spreading, stop treatment - wants
coping stategies. One person replied "hospice". Many others say "go to as many
doctors until you find one who will treat". What I see is that the support is
well-intended but wrong. Those same persons would not be comfortable here (and
especially not in this thread). This type of thread (and similar, over the
years) might be read but is largely ignored.

Off-topic:
While I've got your attention, two things:
Bob Allison's reply to head and neck - could you have a look at that please?

Pete's wife (or anyone) had seeds, RT and chemo. How long does the effect of
this treatment last - continue to work against the tumour? I think he was told 6
months? Is that accurate? (sorry if I've asked this before)

J

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