CancerCompass message board discussion started by Fyduj on 10/21/2006 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,7389,0.htm Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My mother has oral cancer. She has had four surgeries and radiation. The cancer has come back again and any further sugery would be radical and would leave her unable to speak or eat. She has decided not to do this, but we are now exploring chemotherapy options. We kow this will not be a cure but may shrink the tumor. One highly regarded cancer center recommended carbo-taxol treatment which would be administered once every 3 weeks. This has a 50% success rate in shrinking the tumor. Another oncologist in a center closer to home said that at my mother's age (83) and in her weakened condition from all of the surgeries and radiation, he would recommend a weekly treatment of methatraxate that is milder but less effective. He is concerned that the carbo-taxol would leave her prone to serious infection. We have to make a decision soon and we don't know what to do. If anyone has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it. Fyduj Sat, 21 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT its not clear to me what kind of cancer your mom has. However, in general, your choice is a common one in oncology. How much do I do? At what cost? For how much benefit? At 83 your mom has lived a long life. How much would you want her to suffer for a few months advantage? What would her quality of life be during that time? Taxol/Carbo is a potent combo that could have many side effects. Oncrx Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT