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Colon Cancer/dying from colon cancer

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Expert: - 9/1/2006


Question
My father is in stage 4 of colon cancer. It has metastized to the liver, lymph nodes and spine.  We got the final diagnosis just one month ago.  He's gone downhill fast.  

He won't take his pain meds, as he feels that my mom (or others in the family) are trying to poison him.  He doesn't talk much any more and is starting to "see things" --

Is the paranoia normal? is it from the medication or the disease? could the cancer have spread to the brain and cause these problems?   

We have him on hospice care and they've been great. We know the end is coming soon, but it's hard to see him in this state.

Answer
Yes it is very hard! My mother in law went just the same way! I'm sorry to read about his & your problems! It is possible that his medication causes this. But if he does not take it that is less probable. Yes it is quite possible that it has spread to his brain (it did in the case of my mother in law)!
A CT or MRI or PET scan of his brain will show if that is the case! A paranoia can also happen due to the psychological effects of his illness! Unfortunately you are quite right! I'm sorry I have nothing better to tell you!

Colon Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience with regards to this cancer.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions in these categories: Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Breast Cancer.

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I'm a medical doctor and a specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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