xtremeteal4life
Cheer Parent
- Oct 10, 2010
- 2,902
- 3,312
@xtremeteal4life Thank you for your confirmation of what I think I already knew. Lung cancer is the same - there is no "if", it is always "when". I lost my dad to lung cancer last year, and he lived with me. All of my siblings have regrets for having moved away and not spending the time I did with him. I am so grateful for that time, and I think my daughter will be much the same as me. We have been brutally honest with our kids because, like you, I want details and have a need for the truth.
Since I am on the subject, I want to take a second to make an unsolicited public service announcement. :) If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer.
My dad and I were both never smokers. We have a genetic mutation that caused our cancers. If you ever have the symptoms of lung cancer, please see your doctor.
Blood when you cough or spit
Recurring respiratory infections
Enduring cough that is new or different
Ache or pain in shoulder, back or chest
Trouble breathing
Hoarseness or wheezing
Exhaustion, weakness or loss of appetite
Indeed this is true. Also, people automatically think bc they hear "cancer in the lung(s)" that it means lung cancer. That's something many people get wrong. For instance, my mother had leiomyosarcoma of the uterus initially, when she was pregnant- however it wasn't caught (passed off as a benign uterine fibroid) and since it had no uterus to attack bc she had a hysterectomy, the lungs were the next primary target...as they are a smooth muscle tissue preferred by this type of cancer.
Also, for the interest of the OP @LegacyQueensAmanda regarding accuracy of this type of cancer not being linked to bones as well, here's a couple of resources explaining how they can and do invade bones.
Leiomyosarcoma Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, Research & Support
"Primary leiomyosarcoma of bone is extremely rare. There have been approximately 90 cases reported since initially described in 1965.22,23 Many cases that are thought to represent primary disease of bone, after further investigation, actually represent metastatic disease from another site or bony invasion from a neighboring soft tissue lesion. Most cases of leiomyosarcoma of bone reported so far have been in the metaphysis of long bones......."
My mom was one of those 90 documented cases (and it didn't even originate there like I mentioned, it metastasized there).
Your father probably has an arterial leiomyosarcoma based on your description.
"Arterial leiomyosarcoma usually affects the pulmonary artery. Patients will typically complain of dyspnea and chest discomfort, relating to the arterial obstruction. Symptoms are related to the vascular distribution of the affected artery and the presence or absence of collateral blood flow." (Quote is from link above, link below is another resource for you)
http://www.omicsonline.org/right-ar...very-rare-cardiac-tumor-2155-9880.1000188.pdf
It concerns me that a doctor, presumably an oncologist, made that statement/diagnosis regarding your father when it can eventually invade his bones depending on how long he lives and/or where the cancer metastasizes. If you need any good recommendations for a good cancer center near your area, oncologist, etc. please feel free to contact me.
eta.... I just realized you said your father had colorectal cancer and now a leiomyosarcoma (likely an arterial based on your description). Although it is possibly to have more than one cancer in a lifetime and even more rare, two different ones at the same time, I'm wondering if they misdiagnosed his cancer the first time, or perhaps this time?
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