Stage four stomach cancer. Taken one round of chemotherapy. Necessary to take six rounds?
Patient: My sister who is 33 years has cancer in the stomach stage 4. The doctors say she has 5 more months to live. She is not in pain and is as active as she was before the diagnosis in June this year. Except for a swollen stomach (the cancer has spread to the right ovary ) no one can tell she is unwell. She took the 1st round of the chemo and the doctors have recommended she takes 6 rounds taken after 21days intervals. if she has 5 months to live is it wise then she continues with treatment which she is taking in XXXXX. We are XXXXXXX. Are there known alternative therapies that she can use to pro-long her life. Doctor: Unfortunately, about 8 out of 10 (80%) people diagnosed with stomach cancer are stage four, meaning the cancer has already spread when they are diagnosed. Understandably, the survival statistics are lower than for stage 3 stomach cancers.  Fewer than 1 in 20 people (5%) live for at least 5 years if they have stage 4 stomach cancer when they are diagnosed.She has to take atleast 3 cycles of chemotherapy first followed by CT scan of whole abdomen to find out the response assessment.If after 3 cycles it is stable disease or partial response then 3 more cycles need to be taken followed by reasssesment again.If it is stable disease or partial response then CT scan whole abdomen after 3 months.If progressive disease then plan for second line chemotherapy.