Grandmother Has Cancer...What To Do?

Hi, my name's Nick- I'm 15. We found out today that my grandmother probably has cancer. Nothing's concrete until she sees her doctor, but thats what the test results at our local hospital showed :(. She went a few days ago because she thought she was having a heart attack, but its worse; its this. I don't know that much about it or cancer itself, other than its in her lungs and liver. She apparently seems to have a 3cm and a 7cm tumor in her liver. She has lost her appetite in the last few months and has lost 50 or 80 pounds, or some ridiculous number like that. She looks so weak, but has a strong will to live. My question is, what should I expect for the future? I'm so close to my grandmother and it's torture for the whole family to hear this. Is there a possibility the tumors are benign? Is 7cm a big tumor? Also, she's 83, turning 84 on Sunday, and is allergic to a lot of medicines, and is very delicate. Therefore, some treatments she probably can't do. Mentally, she's as sharp as a tac though. I don't know anything about this, and was just looking for some help, knowledge, or advice. Thx :)

dear nick,

so sorry to hear your grandma is sick. more than likely you are in the wrong subforum here in "liver cancer".

it sounds to me like she has lung cancer that has metastasized to the liver. (cancer rarely starts in the liver.)

there are treatments for metastatic lung cancer. because of her advanced age, her prognosis isn't great. some might argue to just leave her alone.

lung cancer comes in two flavors: small cell and non-small cell. find out which she has and what the PET scan shows, and perhaps post something over on the lung cancer subforum?

-Amnia

another thought came to mind. she may have colon cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and liver. that would certainly account for the weight loss.

to answer your question, i can't think of any non-cancerous conditions to explain your grandma's masses and weight loss.

she needs to see an oncologist. that is a doctor who specializes in cancer. when she sees her regular doctor, he will give her the name of an oncologist to see.

there is no reason why you and other family members should not go with her to see him and hear what he has to say.

-Amnia

You are such a great kid to search out help for your grandma...this will be vital in her thriving ... the BEST of the BEST in liver cancer hospitals is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center...Dr. David Geller (you can find him through searches, etc.) is a liver surgeon who operated on my dad when no one else thought it was possible. He has a good friend....the head of thoracic surgery...dr. luketich that could likeley help with lungs...and his mentor, dr. wolfgang schraut...with the colon. I can say from experience that these men are the best in their field and will help. you can email dr. geller the situation (his email can be found online with the upmc liver cancer center) and I guarantee he'll respond. he's absolutely phenomenal. if you are closer to columbus, ohio ...see Dr. Ahmed Ghany at the OSU James care east....he led us through chemo and to the men above...there is hope and thank God you are working on her behalf...knowledge is power. peace and prayers sent your way!