Doctor does not recommend chemotherapy or surgery

carlosq1

I live in Japan. My mother has stage 2 breast cancer with tumor 3 cm. She has diabetes and hypertension and weighs 98 pounds, the doctor does not want to indicate surgery or chemotherapy until she loses 10 pounds, otherwise she is at risk of life due to the dosage being according to weight will have many side effects.

It's been 3 months since she found out but has not received chemotherapy yet according to him the cancer will not spread until she loses weight, but for her to lose weight it will take about 2 months, i'm very worried. I really do not trust doctors here in Japan, after that.

Anyone her had any restrictions about the body weight to do chemotherapy or surgery? Or knows anyone who had ? Please let me know.

Lula73

your mom weighs 98 lbs or 98 kg? I can’t imagine someone at 98 lbs needing to lose 10lbs to have surgery. If anything I’d think they’d want her to gain 10.

Lisey

98 pounds is tiny.... Was that a typo perhaps?

Lisey

98 pounds is tiny.... Was that a typo perhaps? also, in case it was a typo, heavier women get surgery all the time. Get a new doctor that isn't so biased.

gb2115

That all sounds really weird. Sounds like "pounds" is a typo and it should be kilos. But you're talking about breast surgery, which should not be affected by weight. Yeah, if you're digging down into the abdomen for elective surgery on an extremely obese person, it can be beneficial to lose some weight. They delay organ transplant all the time because of needing to lose girth around the middle, for good reason. But they should be able to take a breast tumor out no matter the size of the breast (and who says that the 10 pounds would even be lost from a certain area). I think they can dose chemo drugs to any size. I've never heard of someone being turned away from life saving cancer treatment because of needing to lose 10 lb.

Now, if she's really 98 lb and then needs to GAIN 10 lb (maybe "lose" was the typo), I can see the advantage of having put some extra weight on. But it should still not delay treatment for cancer. And the cancer can most definitely spread in the meantime, no matter what weight you are.

That's weird. Something is not right. I hope that's not standard of care in Japan....I would seek a new doctor, immediately.

Good luck, sorry about your mom!

carlosq1

Sorry for my english, yes the doctor wish my mother loses 10 kg, not to gain 10 kg. Her weight is 98 kg. here in japan people are very thin, So for him, my mother is very fat to receive the chemotherapy. The Docor is worried about the side effects, He says if he gives chemotherapy now he's not responsible, because the dosage is according to the weight.

So, In order to not lose time, we scheduled the surgery before chemotherapy.We marked the surgery for March, until she has to reach 90 kg. I'm worried it'll be up to 5 months without chemotherapy.

Bright55

hi carlosq1

Sorry you are dealing withthis problem...this is an unusual recommendation ..

To leave so long unless your mum has breathing issues ?

Maybe consult with another specialist

What did the biopsy indicate for type of cancer

Hormone positive?

HER2 positive or negative

Triple negative?

Jackster51

Can you find a new doctor? Your mothers weight should not make a difference with chemo. Over weight people in the US get chemo every day

mustlovepoodles

That's weird. I weighed 90kg (200 lbs) at surgery and my sister weighed 159kg (350 lbs) at surgery. Our surgeons didnt even bat an eye at our weights. Incidentally, my sister had NO complications with her lumpectomy but i had a LOT.

carlosq1

No, there's no breathing problem. She has diabetes but this is super controlled, and hypertension is controlled.

I'm not sure the type of cancer, the doctor says that according with results did not compromise any lymph node, but will only be sure in the surgery.and he only said that cancer is in stage 2

This hospital that my mother is, is one of the best in Japan , but it seems the worst for me. there is another less reputable hospital where i live, I will try to take her there, but I am afraid if the doctor's response will be the same.

carlosq1

No, there's no breathing problem. She has diabetes but this is super controlled, and hypertension is controlled.

I'm not sure the type of cancer, the doctor says that by the results did not compromise any lymph node, but will only be sure in the surgery.

carlosq1

My answer to:Bright55

No, there's no breathing problem. She has diabetes but this is super controlled, and hypertension is controlled.

I'm not sure the type of cancer, the doctor says that according with results did not compromise any lymph node, but will only be sure in the surgery.and he only said that cancer is in stage 2

This hospital that my mother is, is one of the best in Japan , but it seems the worst for me. there is another less reputable hospital where i live, I will try to take her there, but I am afraid if the doctor's response will be the same.

My answer to:Jackster51

After knowing this, I believe that doctors here has no experience with obese people.

My anser to :mustlovepoodles

I think the doctor has no experience with overweight people. In Japan or you lose the weight that they wish ou die with cancer .

I'm Brazilian, I was thinking of taking her to Brazil, but there the treatament is very expensive and we do not have a health plan in Brazil.

Please, Let me make some questions:

Did you have chemotherapy before surgery? Did you have diabetes or hypertension when did chemotherapy ou surgery

Beatmon

Maybe a new Dr there at the good hospital. Can’t believe they are holding off her treatment. Certainly not would have happened here

KBeee

Many have chemotherapy before surgery, but many others have surgery first.