When To Start Treatments For Stage 4?

My mother had half a lung removed in 2001 (they said stage 1 with 1 positive lymph node if I remember correctly) and today after a tumour was removed in the other lung they said she is stage 4. Currently she has no symptoms so the oncologist doesn't want to start treatments until she has symptoms. She's 76 and has lots of other ailments but still looks healthy. I wonder if this is standard procedure or just because of her age? He also said the outcome would not be different if started earlier than later. Does any one know if this is true?
Also, I must say I'm very much encouraged by reading some your messages. I'm very new to message boards so let me know if I make any mistakes. Thanks

So sorry to hear of your mother's diagnosis. If the cancer has not spread outside the lungs I question she is stage 4. I have stage 4 lung cancer as the cancer has traveled to my brain and bone. Normally doctors will not remove a lung tumor if the patient is in stage 4 as there is no cure for the cancer and doctors don't want to put patients through the trauma of surgery and recovery from that. I would seek a second opinion. Chemotherapy can slow the spread of the cancer but it won't cure your mom. Good luck to both of you. God Bless.

Thanks for your input. I didn't want to upset my mother further by arguing with the oncologist and wonder to myself if we should leave things as they are. She is currently symptom free and feels healthy and is 76 years old with other ailments. I don't think she could handle chemo treatments or probably I just don't want to watch her go through it.Would they stop the cancer spreading anyway? Would a support group help?

My thoughts and prayers are with you as you do battle and thanks again for responding so quickly.
Helen

Hi Helen. I just read your response to my email. Frankly, I think all the facts should be presented to your mother and she should decide what she wants to do. She might surprise you. There are new therapies that are taken in pill form. They help some people. They have few side effects and are relatively easy to tolerate. Tarceva and Iressa come to mind. It was recently disclosed though that Iressa doesn't extend survival. But it helps some patients significantly. They are not cures for the cancer. The only possible cure is surgical removal of the cancer. Please note--I've read over the last two years that elderly patients do as well as younger patients with chemotherapy. I think it has less to do with age than with overall health of the patient. If your mother's health is otherwise not good she might just want to wait and see what happens with the cancer and not treat it. It might not spread for years. I would recommend good nutrition and good social support no matter what she decides. Anyway, God Bless you both. Sincerely MaryU

Hi Helen. I just read your response to my email. Frankly, I think all the facts should be presented to your mother and she should decide what she wants to do. She might surprise you. There are new therapies that are taken in pill form. They help some people. They have few side effects and are relatively easy to tolerate. Tarceva and Iressa come to mind. It was recently disclosed though that Iressa doesn't extend survival. But it helps some patients significantly. They are not cures for the cancer. The only possible cure is surgical removal of the cancer. Please note--I've read over the last two years that elderly patients do as well as younger patients with chemotherapy. I think it has less to do with age than with overall health of the patient. If your mother's health is otherwise not good she might just want to wait and see what happens with the cancer and not treat it. It might not spread for years. I would recommend good nutrition and good social support no matter what she decides. Anyway, God Bless you both. Sincerely MaryU

Hi Mary,
Thanks for your support. Mom went out and bought Essiac which surfaced many years ago in Northern Ontario as a cancer treatment. I think it does help your immune system. I think her being proactive is great.She doesn't seem to fear chemo when they think it will help but is concerned for her family having to deal with it. I also read that older people can tolerate it as well. How are you doing? Have you been dealing with this for a long time? I haven't talked to any one else and wonder if a support group helps. I do thank you for caring and may God bless you.
Helen