This next Wednesday, my 68 year old Dad will visit several different
doctors concerning his treatment. Since Jan. 98, he has had a brain
tumor removed and radiated, hip bone radiated and both of these coming
from an adenoid carcinoma of an unknown primary. Today the biopsy of a
tumor on his pharnyx reveals another type of cancer, squamous
(msp).Between the radiologist, ENT and oncologist, I am hearing
different opinions on treatment. One is to treat for survival with 7
weeks radiation while the radiologist is saying what's the point, since
the average life span is 6-9 months (though he admitted there are those
surviving 5 years) and let's let him enjoy life now as he is feeling
fairly well. Knowing my dad, I feel like he will choose radiation
despite any statistics, if there's any hope (forget alternatives, he
won't go for it). My question is: Wouldn't he "fight" stronger or have
more hope during the 7 weeks if we did not tell him of the 6-9 months
stastistics? The radiologist says he needs to know. I think he'll
loose hope. I plan to let my mom decide this and will stick by her on
her decision. What do you think?
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