How long?

My partner has recently (last Thursday) been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer (adenocarcinoma) He has a tumour at the bottom of his oesophagus, a lesion at the top of his stomach, a lesion on his liver, showing lesions on his peritoneum and also in lymph nodes.  
 

they say 3-4 months without treatment but 12-14 months with treatment.  How true is this ?  We're finding it hard to understand that with chemo they seem to say not that long.  He's only had symptoms since May, it all seems so fast

  • Hi,

    These statistics only work when applied to large groups of patients and should be handled with caution when applied to individuals. By definition on average 50% of patients will live longer and 50% shorter than average. As I said in another post a few minutes ago, these average stats ignore a patient's, age, fitness levels or co-morbidities. I was diagnosed at 55 and given a very similar prognosis to your partner. I am now 64 - this is an unusual outcome but it can happen. 
     

    To read my full biog please click on my username.

    Good luck!

    Dave