Suffering with stage 4 bile duct cancer, no improvement with chemo. What is the prognosis?
Patient: Hi there my mom has been diagnosed with stage 4 bile duct cancer she has undergone chemo but it hasn t worked so chemo has been stopped she has no symptoms with her liver as yet she does not want to know how long she has left which I respect fully. I live in New Zealand and myself and my family are planning a trip back to the Uk to spend quality physical time with my parents my worry is when will be a good time for my moms health to do this at the moment we are all dealing with the prognosis setting a date is a sorry as we don t want it to be too late! Doctor: Hi, Bile duct cancer are very aggressive in nature. In advanced stage they very often fail to response to chemotherapy, response rate is 20%. As your mom has stage IV cancer it means it has been metastasized. Exact survival period can not be commented on. one year survival probability is not very good. Oral chemotherapy may be an option but if not responding it will be better to maintain a conservative management. Take care.