Medium control mean in cancer treatment

Hi , my husband was diagnosed with bowel cancer last March he had part taken out but it's spread to liver and lungs ,, it's incurable! I have been very frustrated as the terms doctors use in our appointments and in letters is extremely frustrating . I have ask one doctor to please say it as it is and to please understand that I need to ask questions  as I don't understand exactly where the cancer is and why they cannot operate ( as previously told )  . Unfortunately I felt like I was irritating her . We have since received a letter which explains everything  better although it's not good news , my question is in the letter he received about his treatment it said  _____  "the aim is for medium term control " ___ can you please explain what that means exactly ? Appreciate your response . 

  • Hello Sherratt and thanks for posting, 

    I am sorry to learn about your husband.

    I can't be sure exactly what the specialist had in mind, but generally I think 'median term' refers to a time span that isn't very soon or a long way away, and 'control' to treatment that could hold the cancer to prevent it from getting worse and causing probelms. I think the median term probably refers to many months or a few years as oppose to long term which could be quite a lot of years or even decades into the future. There is oftensome uncertainty with how well cancer treatment will work so both patient and doctor have to wait and see how things turn out.   

    I hope this help, please give us a ring if you want to talk anything over. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and we are around from 9-5 on weeksays.

    Best wishes,

    Julia