My Mom had Mesothelioma and it is a rare cancer. I'm surprised they dx
Mom's so quickly as we are in a rural area and she went to the community
hospital. It was seen as a thickening of the lining of the lung. Mom's was so
far advanced as she had asthma and was blaming all her symptoms on that until
she got to where she couldn't get her breath and went to hosp. She did take some
Taxol & Carbo tx but had reaction to it so quit. It is mainly caused by
asbestos exposure. There is a good Meso forum with lots of info (it appears
there are even 4 subtypes of meso). But please also stay on this forum as
we have an excellent researcher in Lillian and lots of support & caring from
the other Molers. Prayers to your family. Pat Kimmi-Kansas
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2000 10:45
AM
Subject: [MOL] Diagnosis of Primary
Cancer Type
My dad was diagnosed with non small cell
lung cancer stage IIIB with a pleural effusion. The only treatment
option provided was that of chemotherapy. He received carboplatin
and taxol for several months however the scan showed that the tumor
continued to grow. I talked to the doctor about some
other options and he suggested changing the chemo to gemcide
however didn't seem too excited about pursuing other
options. My dad started the gemcide however we also decided
to go to another place for a second opinion on treatment
options. The second place says they are not so sure it is lung
cancer. They think it is mesothelioma. They suggested
and he is now scheduled to have a major surgery where they cut the
ribs to take out a piece of the lining of the lung for a biopsy.
Apparently this mesothelioma cancer is a rare and difficult type of
cancer to diagnose.
Has anyone else out there had a similar type
of situation whereby they diagnosis and treat you for one type of cancer then
a different place thinks it is a different type of
cancer? I guess I'm a little surprised as both
places are recognized as being comprehensive cancer
centers.
