AboutMichael Dean Expertise Can answer
General information on the causes of cancer and cancer prevention.
Information on current cancer research and breakthroughs.
The genetics of cancer
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
Question My 70 year old mother has been recently diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and has 4 lesions on her brain. We have been told to not continue tests and to basicly take her home...and were told she probably had 5-8 weeks to live. She has been given steriods to reduce swelling on her brain and is thinking fairly clear. Her general health has always been good. I have read about successful treatments of brain tumors at Cleveland Clinic, and there are success stories of lung cancer survivors. Do we accept the local doctor and oncologist suggestions? Or, do we get her out of the "small town" hospital and into a clinic such as Cleveland Clinic? They (here) have done a biopsy of the lung mass, however have found it "inclusive" we are told, and she is having a "needle biopsy" done tomorrow(1/04). The "results or conclusion" meeting with the family is set for Tuesday 1/8.
Answer Dear Tim,
I am sorry to hear about our mother. While it is unlikely that she can be cured, she definitely has options. There are a large number of clinical trials for lung cancer.
I put in Stage IV non-small cell cancer, and there are 53 trials within 200 miles of Cleveland. Some are using new radiation techniques to treat brain metastases. There are 9 studies at the NIH clincal center. They pay all medical and transportation costs.
Some of these studies involve new targeted biological therapies, that don't have the side effects of chemo.
Since she is otherwise healthy she probably will qualify for some of these studies. So yes, if she is willing to fight investigate these.
If you need help searching or have other questions please ask, and let me know how the biopsy goes.
