Hi BiancaJ,

A very warm welcome to our forum

I am so sorry to hear that your mum has this. CUP is a cancer of unknown primary, but with it being metastatic, it sounds as if it has spread to other parts of the body. I can understand why her consultant doesn't want to put her through and further challenges with surgery, or harsh therapies at her age.

Fentanyl is a strong Opoid analgesic, used to control your mum's pain. 

Please don't be hesitant to ask her care team anything you don't understand - no question is too simple. When facing end of life, it would be useful for us all to have an answer, in respect of life expectancy. The best person to give you a indication is her consultant, who knows your mum and has all of her medical details to hand. At best, any prediction is based on average figures and is just a "guesstimate". Many people pass before their predicted time, while others remain with us for much longer.

I am so sorry to hear that you are in this position. I have been through it when I lost my own mum and know just how heart-breaking it is. I am always here if you want to talk.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx