Chemo.surgery for the elderly

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Sierra
Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

How often do they give this to the elderly

I would say over 85 is too old

would you not?

My friend took chemo

for ovarian and she was 84

finally quit the chemo and just

She passed away, it was v. cruel

Anyway, post your comments plse

or knowledge

I can not give more details on this

Thanks

Sierra  :))

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  • junie
    junie Member Posts: 1,216
    edited August 2008

    Hi Sierra--my mom was 84 when she was dx with nonhodgkins lymphoma.   She elected to have surgery to remove a tumor; a second surgery to install a port for the chemo.   Her oncologist was in the same practice as the oncologist I had for my bc treatment.   Our concerns were her age and the effects of chemo at her age.   He presented the facts to her and did not pressure her in any way to decline or accept chemo treatments.   He did say that because of her age, if she had come into his office suffering from other age-related ailments (I think he said--if you were wheeled in my office in a wheelchair, wearing adult depends, and unable to understand what I'm telling you, I'd advise no chemo...)

    Mom elected to do the chemo.   She was scheduled for 4 treatments.   Shortly after the 2nd treatment, she had a heart attack and died.   I feel that the chemo was just too much for her at that age, but on the other hand, at that age a heart attack would not be unlikely.

    I don't think there are any limits as to the age a person is denied chemo.  I think it depends on many other issues relating to their health.   It will be interesting to hear what others think.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited August 2008

    I agree that no one should be denied a treatment that is possible.  (but just wait till we get national health care).  I declined chemo at 59 because of the possible long term side effects.  I was able to do so for many medical reasons and having chosen a mast. instead of lump/rads.  My onc agree with my choice.

    Personally, I know very few people at that age who should be put thru agressive chemo and expect a good outcome.  Their health, mental status and levels of activity would have to be taken into consideration.  An 84 year old senior marathon runner may well be a good choice for chemo to possibly extend their life.  I have always considered quality of life, rather than it's length, to be my most important concern and goal.

    I would never, never, never attempt to judge anyone's choices.  they are the ones who will live or die with those choices.  I've only ever disagree, but not to the person, when my MIL, at 76, was offered a liver transplant many years ago in Dallas.  But!!! she had the money to pay for the damn thing, since Medicare would not be billed by Baylor Hospital.  I felt and still do, that it was a huge waste of a liver that a healthier and younger person could have benefited from.  she never recovered and after 4 months in ICU, out of her mind, and at $10,000 a day, died the day she was transferred to a nursing home.

    I strongly believe that just because medicine CAN do something, it does not mean that it SHOULD.

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  • abbadoodles
    abbadoodles Member Posts: 2,618
    edited August 2008

    I've heard/read that tumors grow relatively slowly when one is at an advanced age and therefore chemo is not always necessary.  The individual is likely to die from other causes before the cancer.   That, and chemo is very hard on anyone at that stage of life and with possible other complicating factors.

    It's always a difficult decision.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2008

    sierra,

    i just had a discussion with my mother about this as a dear family friend at 92 is starting chemo for leukemia...

     don't know the protocal for leukemia but wow...

    i just think back on how four years out i am still feeling residual stuff from chemo s/e and i know

    i would not want to spend my last years on earth

    going through that.

    but that is just me...

    i support everyones right to choose...

    congrats on the move!

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited August 2008

    Hi Ladies:

    Thank you for your ... posts, wisdom and all

    Junie:  I am sorry about your Mom

    and personally believe it would be a lot

    for a person to take at this age, especially

    if they have a history of strokes, deadly

    However, it is up to the individual.

    Interesting to read all of your posts

    Thanks for your wishes on my move

    O/T it is much more residential/suburban where

    I am now, in fact, near a lovely rehab centre

    (some of the soldiers were sent there)

    and also a Sisterhood close by ..

    I walk all the time and love it.  My place is a LOT smaller

    but size, as we know, does not always make it  better

    LOL>>>>

    Be well.

    Hugs, Sierra 

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  • NoH8
    NoH8 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited August 2008

    Ditto to abbadoodles. It depends on the person, and the type of chemo/surgery etc. I would not advise someone I loved to go through that at age 85, because the "cure" would likely hill faster than the cancer and make the time more unbearable.

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  • Sierra
    Sierra Member Posts: 1,638
    edited September 2008

    Hi.. Obama..

    and everyone

    Thanks again for your input

    as far as I know, there will be no surgery

    Be well, all

    Sierra  :)

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