Stage 4 Lung Cancer with Mets to Spine: Any advice on treatment, diet?

Posted by mrose1717 @mrose1717, Jan 1, 2023

My Dad had a fusion c5 and the biopsy determined that he had 4th stage lung cancer that spread to his spine. Is there any advice, treatments or diet that anyone can recommend. Thank you

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Hello @mrose1717 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. First off, I am very sorry to hear of your dad's diagnosis. Finding out that way must've been challenging to say the least.

I am sure you are well aware of much of the information on lung cancer, but wanted to offer this resource in case:
-Lung Cancer:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620

How long had your dad been diagnosed with lung cancer before you found out it had metastasized to his spine?

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Confirmed on December 30th. He was having neck pain 1 week before Thanksgiving and they found a mass on his lung. He went in for fusion on December 10th and they took a biopsy of bone then. He doesn't eat very well and I'm trying to get him on those healthy meals that are shipped. Can you give any advice? Thank you

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We didn't know he had cancer before the c5 fusion.

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Good morning. His oncologist may be able to request a consult with a dietitian. That may be helpful in managing some treatment side effects, especially any GI issues.
The biopsy results should drive the treatment plan, there are many types of lung cancer with a variety of treatments and side effects.
Personally, I believe that the treatment (targeted therapy) is keeping me alive, and the cancer will come back no matter what I eat. I do make sure I drink lots of water and I try to eat enough fiber to keep my digestive system happy, because the meds that I take can be rough on that area.
Taking charge of what you eat can be a way to feel like you have some control, during a time when our bodies have betrayed us, and we feel that we have very little control of the situation and our futures. While many feel that they are going to die either way, so they eat and drink what they want; enjoy life and food!
There’s no one right answer, but some input from a registered dietitian may be a good place to start, they are trained to deal with the diet and the psychological relationship that we have with food too. Good luck to you and him! Take care, Lisa

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@lls8000

Good morning. His oncologist may be able to request a consult with a dietitian. That may be helpful in managing some treatment side effects, especially any GI issues.
The biopsy results should drive the treatment plan, there are many types of lung cancer with a variety of treatments and side effects.
Personally, I believe that the treatment (targeted therapy) is keeping me alive, and the cancer will come back no matter what I eat. I do make sure I drink lots of water and I try to eat enough fiber to keep my digestive system happy, because the meds that I take can be rough on that area.
Taking charge of what you eat can be a way to feel like you have some control, during a time when our bodies have betrayed us, and we feel that we have very little control of the situation and our futures. While many feel that they are going to die either way, so they eat and drink what they want; enjoy life and food!
There’s no one right answer, but some input from a registered dietitian may be a good place to start, they are trained to deal with the diet and the psychological relationship that we have with food too. Good luck to you and him! Take care, Lisa

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@lls8000
That is very well said!!

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mrose1717, Praying for God strengthening you, your dad and all family members. Prayer always brings good results to our life.

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@lls8000

Good morning. His oncologist may be able to request a consult with a dietitian. That may be helpful in managing some treatment side effects, especially any GI issues.
The biopsy results should drive the treatment plan, there are many types of lung cancer with a variety of treatments and side effects.
Personally, I believe that the treatment (targeted therapy) is keeping me alive, and the cancer will come back no matter what I eat. I do make sure I drink lots of water and I try to eat enough fiber to keep my digestive system happy, because the meds that I take can be rough on that area.
Taking charge of what you eat can be a way to feel like you have some control, during a time when our bodies have betrayed us, and we feel that we have very little control of the situation and our futures. While many feel that they are going to die either way, so they eat and drink what they want; enjoy life and food!
There’s no one right answer, but some input from a registered dietitian may be a good place to start, they are trained to deal with the diet and the psychological relationship that we have with food too. Good luck to you and him! Take care, Lisa

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@mrose1717, I second that recommendation that @lls8000 offered about seeing a dietitian. Here's an article that may interest you:
- How a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Can Help During and After Cancer Treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/how-can-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist-help-during-and-after-cancer-treatment/

Has the cancer team suggested a treatment plan for your father?

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@colleenyoung

@mrose1717, I second that recommendation that @lls8000 offered about seeing a dietitian. Here's an article that may interest you:
- How a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Can Help During and After Cancer Treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/how-can-a-registered-dietitian-nutritionist-help-during-and-after-cancer-treatment/

Has the cancer team suggested a treatment plan for your father?

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Dear all,

He gets a call from the oncologist that he has stage 4 and it's no big deal for him...hes Wild Bill. He's been a member of Shriners and Masons for years. Always giving back the the community. Remember watching him in the Michiana parade riding a go cart with his high hat for the shriners. Never smoked a day in his life and now has Lung cancer. I love my Dad. Thank you all for all your support.

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@mrose1717

Dear all,

He gets a call from the oncologist that he has stage 4 and it's no big deal for him...hes Wild Bill. He's been a member of Shriners and Masons for years. Always giving back the the community. Remember watching him in the Michiana parade riding a go cart with his high hat for the shriners. Never smoked a day in his life and now has Lung cancer. I love my Dad. Thank you all for all your support.

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He looks delightful!, young-ish, healthy and a never-smoker, he may have a mutation driving the cancer. Are his biopsy results back yet? They should have done biomarker testing, looking for a mutation, which can drive the treatment plan. This has the potential to be a game changer in treatment, and quality of life.
Take care, Lisa
(ALK Positive, stage IV, 3/2020)

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@lls8000

He looks delightful!, young-ish, healthy and a never-smoker, he may have a mutation driving the cancer. Are his biopsy results back yet? They should have done biomarker testing, looking for a mutation, which can drive the treatment plan. This has the potential to be a game changer in treatment, and quality of life.
Take care, Lisa
(ALK Positive, stage IV, 3/2020)

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Here's the biopsy

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