I need help understanding

My husband had a large tumour removed from his bowel at the point when the tumour had just breached the bowel wall. He nearly didn’t survive and we were told in March the tumour was removed in its entirety. This wasn’t the case and he’s been given 2/3 years of life expectancy given the cancer is in his lymphatic system, at the moment around his groin area. He didn’t respond to immunotherapy and is now on chemotherapy only as his reaction to chemo meds was severe. My question is the time frame. Can someone please help me understand the prognosis of 2/3 years? And the general phases he’ll be going through in that time?

thank you

  • Hello there and thanks for the post

    I am very sorry to hear about your husbands situation, this sounds like it is a difficult time for you both after you have been through so much already.

    I am sure the team looking after your husband are doing all they can to try and control the cancer for as long as possible and to give him the best quality of life at the same time.

    It is devastating to find out a cancer has returned, even more so when it cannot be cured and when patients react badly to treatment, this makes things even more challenging.

    When a doctor gives a prognosis or time frame for how long someone may have it is often based on other patients who have had a similar cancer and treatments. Unfortunately it isn't an exact science and some people will live much longer and sadly others may die much sooner.

    The 2/3 years sounds like an rough estimate which I understand is a lot to take in and very upsetting to hear. It would be so helpful if we were able to look into the future and know exactly what is going to happen but I'm afraid we can't. The only thing anyone can do is to take each day as it comes, hope the treatment will do what it needs to do and gives some more time.

    As time goes on the doctors may be able to give a better idea about what to expect but for now they probably don't really know.

    Every patient as well as their cancer is different which is why it is so hard to say what the next couple of years will look like for your husband.

    Moving forward it is important that you both have a good support system around of both friends and family alongside health professionals to help. This may be emotional, practical or financial support, specialist equipment or symptom management. All with the the aim of making life a little easier.

    I am sorry we cannot answer your exact question, you may wish to bring it up with the doctor again but I doubt at this time they can tell you any more.

    Do get back in touch if you need to or if you prefer give us a call on 0808 800 4040, we're here weekdays ( except bank holidays) 9-5.

    Best wishes

    Naomi