Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 1/20/2008

Question
My husband was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer at the end of august 2007 . He also has brain cancer with several small lesions that they have radiated and he is on his last treatment . What can I expect to see at the end of life for this is the last treatment of radiation they can do for him . I just don't know what to look for now . The cancer has spread to the adrenal gland at the last MRI. He has been taking 50 mg of Tarceva and has it help ? I don't know for it has been a while since last scan but the last scan two months ago showed it had not traveled any further . But the last brain scan showed there were more tumors in the brain and they did the radiation treatments for quality of life .. Please help me understand what may happen or to expect next ..

Answer
I'm sorry to read about his & your problems! His lung cancer has spread to his brain - and is therefore a stage 4 cancer - which is quite common for lung cancers to do and to his adrenal. This means that unfortunately his cancer is at present not curable. Maximum survival time is about a year but probably shorter even much shorter. He will become confused, may show stroke like symptoms and even epileptic fits. Sleep more & more, drift into a coma and pass away. There will be little pain if any. I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!