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'comfort' chemo
My dad died from lung cancer 8 years ago. It was 'everywhere' and had literally eaten away his ribs so that the x-ray showed three ribs missing. It was also in his brain and a large area of cancer was protruding from his head. My understanding is that 'comfort' chemo is offered when there is a mass that is pressing on a nerve or area which is causing additional pain, discomfort and complications for the patient. The chemo is not given as a hope for a cure, but rather in an attempt to control the rapidly growing cancer to avoid unnecessary additional suffering.
Hope this helps,
Love,
Jade
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Dx Nov.04 - Stage 1, Grade 3, widespread high grade DCIS, Paget's disease of nipple, 8mm tumor invasive DC (ductal carcinoma), ER/PR-, HER2+++
Nov.04 - left mast., clear margins, 6 of 6 nodes clear
Feb.05 - began EC chemo, 4 rounds (every 3 weeks)
Aug.05 - began Herceptin every 3 weeks for 1 year
Aug.06 - ended treatment
NED
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