Targeted Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Efficacy and Prognosis
Can nasopharyngeal carcinoma be treated with targeted therapy? Hello Dr. Chen: Recently, a friend of mine was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the pathology report indicates it is stage II. Aside from a hard mass in the neck measuring about 3 cm, there are no other cl...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. Due to the high sensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells to radiation, radiation therapy has been the primary treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. While radiation therapy can effectively control local tumor cells, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is prone to metastasis; theref...[Read More] Targeted Therapy for Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Efficacy and Prognosis
Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Survival Rates, Recurrence, and Nutrition
Hello, doctor! Hello, doctor! I would like to ask about my father, who was diagnosed with stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer a month ago. What is the likelihood of recovery? Is there a chance of recurrence? What kind of foods can he eat? Will chemotherapy cause significant suffering ...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. The probability of recovery in stage IV is divided into IVA, where there is more severe local invasion of the nasopharynx; IVB, where lymph node metastasis occurs to the supraclavicular lymph nodes; and IVC, where there is distant metastasis to the liver, lungs, or bones. The ...[Read More] Understanding Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Survival Rates, Recurrence, and Nutrition
Post-Surgery Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Is It Too Soon?
What are the issues related to chemotherapy after surgery for ovarian cancer? Hello, I apologize for the inconvenience. If possible, could you please reply as soon as you can? Thank you. I would like to ask, if a patient has stage IV ovarian cancer and underwent surgery about a w...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Willam: Hello~~ It is best to start subsequent treatment within four weeks, but if the patient's condition allows, starting in 1-2 weeks is also advisable. Please communicate well with your doctors and clearly express the family's desire to begin chemotherapy. Note: ...[Read More] Post-Surgery Chemotherapy for Ovarian Cancer: Is It Too Soon?
Understanding Liver Cancer: Staging, Treatment Options, and Dietary Considerations
Liver cancer Hello, my older brother (51 years old) was recently admitted to the emergency room due to gastric bleeding and was diagnosed with liver cancer. The cancer cells are 5 centimeters in size and have invaded the blood vessels, and he also shows symptoms of liver cirrhosi...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello, Mr. Guo: Please quickly find another hospital to see if they can perform embolization therapy.[Read More] Understanding Liver Cancer: Staging, Treatment Options, and Dietary Considerations
Post-Treatment Concerns for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Survivors
Post-treatment issues of nasopharyngeal carcinoma? I would like to ask the doctor... My mother was diagnosed with stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 2001. After treatment, she has been returning for follow-up appointments every six months. However, it has been 3.4 years since h...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. A. The onset of tinnitus when there was none before B. Nosebleeds C. Bone pain D. Poor appetite and continuous weight loss E. Persistent cough with blood-streaked sputum F. Visiting an ENT specialist every time I catch a cold, and also seeing the doctor who treated my mother f...[Read More] Post-Treatment Concerns for Nasopharyngeal Cancer Survivors
Painful Lump Near Throat: Could It Be Cancer?
There is a lump near my throat that has been painful lately? I'm sorry, doctor, but I would like to ask a question. There is a growth on the inner side of the bone just below my ear that has been there for a while. Recently, it has been painful and seems to be pressing on th...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello, Xuan Xuan. Please make sure to see an otolaryngologist as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and receive prompt treatment. Guessing what it might be is not meaningful; it could simply be inflammation or a benign tumor. You need to consult a doctor to get a definitiv...[Read More] Painful Lump Near Throat: Could It Be Cancer?
Coping with Terminal Lung Cancer: A Daughter's Journey and Care Tips
My father passed away last Tuesday? Dr. Chen Si-Rong: Hello! Thank you for your suggestions. My father underwent emergency surgery for a perforated intestine on the 27th of last month. Although the surgery was successful, he later contracted a CMV virus, leading to a lung infecti...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Please accept my condolences. I suggest you focus on the name of a deity, visualizing the sun descending upon your home, completely enveloping it, and offering blessings for him.[Read More] Coping with Terminal Lung Cancer: A Daughter's Journey and Care Tips
Navigating Rare Breast Cancer Treatment: Seeking Guidance for Unusual Cases
Treatment for breast cancer patients with special conditions - please help! Hello, doctor! We truly value medical resources, but we are feeling quite lost, which is why we are seeking your advice. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the He Shin Cancer Hospital in May th...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Jason: The principle of positron emission tomography (PET) is to utilize glucose labeled with radioactive elements to detect areas in the body with particularly high metabolic rates. It is generally assumed that tumor cells have a higher metabolic rate than normal tissues, s...[Read More] Navigating Rare Breast Cancer Treatment: Seeking Guidance for Unusual Cases
Caring for an Elderly Father with Brain Metastasis: Tips and Guidance
How to care for an elderly father with brain metastases? Hello, Doctor! My 68-year-old father has been diagnosed with lung cancer for three years. He was already at the late stage of stage II when first discovered. He has undergone surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, an...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. Generally speaking, if there are brain metastases, the average life expectancy is 4 to 6 months. Please be mentally prepared for a more accurate time estimate, and you can consult his attending physician for clarification. 2. The process of disease deterioration will natural...[Read More] Caring for an Elderly Father with Brain Metastasis: Tips and Guidance
Exploring Alternative Cancer Treatments Beyond Chemotherapy
Could you please provide more context or specify what you would like to know about chemotherapy? Dr. Fan, thank you so much for your clarification. Without your explanation, I would not have known there were other treatment options available. The attending physician did not menti...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Mr. Yuan: (1) As previously speculated, your mother should have been on Ufur for a period of time after her surgery, which counts as adjuvant therapy, so it was not a waste of time. It is still timely to start Herceptin treatment now. For younger breast cancer patients, I typical...[Read More] Exploring Alternative Cancer Treatments Beyond Chemotherapy
Understanding Chemotherapy Decisions for Elderly Cancer Patients
Some questions regarding chemotherapy? Dear Dr. Fan, My mother is 78 years old and discovered a lump in her breast in February. She underwent surgery at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, where a biopsy confirmed it was cancer. A few weeks after the surgery, we received the pathology repor...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Dear Mr. Yuan, Hello. First of all, considering your mother's age, it is highly likely that her breast cancer specimen's estrogen receptor (ER) is positive. If this is the case, I recommend administering the oral estrogen receptor antagonist Tamoxifen for two years, fo...[Read More] Understanding Chemotherapy Decisions for Elderly Cancer Patients
Understanding Liver Cancer Location and Treatment Options for Patients
The location of liver cancer and treatment methods? My father has cirrhosis, progressing from stage A to stage B. Recently, a CT scan revealed a single 1.5 cm liver tumor located in the posterior segment of the right lobe of the liver, which is likely in the early stage. However,...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Xiao Jun: It is recommended to perform angiography. If a benign vascular tumor is found, it should not be treated. If it is liver cancer, it should be embolized. The Bible says that apart from orthodox medicine, there is no other name given among men by which we can be saved.[Read More] Understanding Liver Cancer Location and Treatment Options for Patients
Is Traditional Chinese Medicine a Suitable Option for Liver Cancer Patients?
Is it appropriate for liver cancer patients to seek traditional Chinese medicine treatment? Dear Dr. Fan, My mother is nearly seventy-five years old, and last month, two tumors approximately 9 centimeters in size were discovered in the right lobe of her liver. After diagnosis, t...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Rockman: "Is this idea appropriate?" The response: "No, it's not appropriate." Still, embolization therapy is recommended. However, a "combination of Eastern and Western medicine" can be used, incorporating traditional Chinese medicine to soothe...[Read More] Is Traditional Chinese Medicine a Suitable Option for Liver Cancer Patients?
Can Patients with Advanced Bile Duct Cancer Consume Cordyceps and Ginseng?
Cholangiocarcinoma in the early stage? Doctor, may I ask if a patient with terminal bile duct cancer can consume cordyceps and ginseng powder? Thank you!
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Hello: Although the effects on cancer itself are unclear, it should not cause significant side effects, so it should be fine to consume. Thank you.[Read More] Can Patients with Advanced Bile Duct Cancer Consume Cordyceps and Ginseng?
Effective Treatment Options for Advanced Lung Cancer in Elderly Patients
Treatment for advanced lung cancer? Hello, my grandfather is in his 70s and recently went to the hospital for an examination, where he was suspected to have advanced lung cancer. Given that he has a history of heart issues, what treatment options would be most appropriate? I hope...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
1. It is expected that this condition may only allow for one to two years of life. 2. Treatment options are limited to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 3. Choosing not to treat is also an option. 4. Delaying treatment until symptoms arise is another choice. 5. Please d...[Read More] Effective Treatment Options for Advanced Lung Cancer in Elderly Patients
Understanding Early Stage Colon Cancer: Key Terms Explained
Microscopic description of the sigmoid colon? 1. IMA stands for Inferior Mesenteric Artery, which is a major blood vessel that supplies blood to the lower part of the colon. 2. Stromal invasion refers to the infiltration of cancer cells into the supportive tissue (stroma) surrou...
Dr. Fan Sheng Reply:
Mr. Wu: IMA stands for Inferior Mesenteric Artery, which supplies blood flow to the distal colon. Stromal invasion means that cancer cells have penetrated the intestinal wall. Wishing you all the best![Read More] Understanding Early Stage Colon Cancer: Key Terms Explained
Understanding Bronchial Adenocarcinoma: Symptoms, Detection, and Progression
Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma 1. Are the symptoms of early-stage bronchial adenocarcinoma the same as those of stage IV? If they are different, what are the symptoms for each stage? 2. Can bronchial adenocarcinoma be detected through a chest X-ray? 3. Are the symptoms of bronc...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Dear Phil, Here are the responses to your four questions: 1. If stage IV is defined as metastasis to areas beyond the lungs, then the symptoms of stage IV can vary based on where the cancer has spread. For instance, if it metastasizes to the bones, it may cause pain and fractur...[Read More] Understanding Bronchial Adenocarcinoma: Symptoms, Detection, and Progression
Is Regular Scanning Necessary for Terminal Cancer Patients?
Is it necessary to actively undergo examinations in the terminal stage of cancer? Hello, doctor. I would like to ask, if a patient with terminal cancer does not plan to undergo chemotherapy anymore, is there a need to have a CT scan and bone scan every three months? What is the s...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. For physicians, they can monitor your condition and should promptly inform patients and their families if there are any issues. 2. For patients, you must communicate your thoughts to the physician; patients have the right to refuse treatment, and physicians must provide...[Read More] Is Regular Scanning Necessary for Terminal Cancer Patients?
Can Brain Tumors Undergo Second Radiation Therapy?
Can a brain tumor undergo radiation therapy twice? My father is 71 years old and was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago, which has metastasized to the brain. After undergoing chemotherapy for the lungs and radiation therapy for the brain, his condition has been well contr...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Please have the original treating hospital evaluate the possibility of photon knife radiation therapy. 2. Alternatively, consider seeking evaluation at Veterans General Hospital, National Taiwan University Hospital, or Taipei Medical University Hospital. 3. Out-of-pocke...[Read More] Can Brain Tumors Undergo Second Radiation Therapy?
Understanding Chemotherapy Duration and Recurrence Risks for Neck Lymphoma
Secondary and unspecified malignant tumors of the lymph nodes? How long does chemotherapy typically last for the above-mentioned condition, and how many weeks does each cycle usually take? The tumor is located in the neck, and if the superficial tumor has disappeared but there is...
Dr. Chen Sirong Reply:
Hello: 1. Based on the information you provided, it is difficult to determine whether it is: a. an undifferentiated malignant tumor of the cervical lymph nodes with an unknown primary site, but suspected to be a head and neck cancer with cervical lymph node involvement, or b. l...[Read More] Understanding Chemotherapy Duration and Recurrence Risks for Neck Lymphoma