my mother in law has stage 4 gall bladder cancer, she was diagnosed in November of last year, this morning she started having a fever and vomiting some black substance, what can we expect after this? shes been pretty healthy up to this morning, whats her life expectancy?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Cancer is a delicate situation when detected at stage 4 disease involving the gall bladder and which is advanced. It means that the disease has spread locally and also to distant organs with a large tumor and lymph nodes. In this situation surgery is not possible and even if surgery is attempted then the patient survival will not improve. In stage 4 cancer the survival is given as 6 months to 2 years from the day of detection of disease. In some cancers there can be rapid progress and in some the disease can take two years. Gall bladder is located in a strategic location and this permits a gall bladder tumors to proliferate Ann involve adjacent structures. It can also cause biliary obstruction within the liver and gall bladder and this will also reduce the general condition of the patient. Patient is kept on pain relief medicine to provide comfort. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can also b given to prevent rapid progression to end stage disease and control the cancer as much the can. Positive thinking and support might help in extending her survival. Please do not worry.