Sunflo Asked December 2018
Mom saw surgeon who diagnosed fungated mass size of half orange behind knee. Mom is 96 and in memory care. He recommends removal. Advice?
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He states “most certainly cancerous”. Mom in good health no complaints. Should I proceed with surgery? What can I expect post surgery?
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(edit) I've been doing a little reading on line, if the surgery is done with understanding that this kind if malignancy at her age is likely terminal but the aim is to improve quality of life for the time she has left then it may be worth considering. This is a terrible choice to have to make, I think the best you can do is talk to the various members of her healthcare team about their goals and about a realistic prognosis with or without surgery.
Is this mass showing behind the knee, thus pushing out the skin? If yes, it could something as simple as an extra large cyst filled with skin cells. Those can be removed by numbing the area.
I would recommend getting a second opinion from a dermatologist who can remove such skin masses. At least you and your Mom would know for sure and give you more clarity.
My Dad had a blood test show that he probably had cancer somewhere. The first test (Upper GI) was uncomfortable for him, as was transport and the waiting. He was clear headed in the mornings, and chose to have no more tests. He asked the Dr. what they'd do if they found it? He would probably die from the surgery or chemo, and did not want to satisfy his doctor's scientific curiosity by having more tests.
Not talking about his associate down the hall.
See a doctor affiliated with a teaching hospital.
Questions to ask Dr.:
Ask how aggressive is this type of Ca?
Are any surrounding tissues involved or need to be removed?
Is it growing? Fungating-has broken through the skin?
Did he check anywhere else for metastases (Ca in other places of body).
Was a chest x-ray done?
Can it be done without general anesthesia? What are the choices of anesthesia?
The doctor should explain what to expect after surgery.
What is the prognosis, meaning will the surgery heal it?
Sorry, you don't have to write out the answers to these questions. You must already be overwhelmed with such a big decision.
We are here to support you, Sunflo.
your Mom, Sunflo.
mom in great health other than memory. To be honest I haven’t seen the lump as I don’t see her undressed very often.
lump however has grown to size of half orange according to surgeon and he said he can remove but plastic surgeons would have to close because of its size. NO-they did not biopsy or draw fluid or do other diagnostics. He is basing his “most certaintly cancerous” based on visuals. I was disappointed but when he called to talk, mom was in background very cantankerous and kept insisting she was fine. I expected them to X-ray area or take a biopsy but sometimes they do this with surgery. Supposedly it was seeping.
Ive expressed my post-surgery recovery concerns to him but they seem to think they have good chance of getting it all.
i plan on making appt with plastic surgeon an getting his opinion.
My my first instinct is to refuse any surgery; but I would hate this to really be invasive cancer and then she have to lose her leg or something because of my negligence. On the other hand, I don’t want to proceed and then have it be an infection, non healing wound, that goes on and on and makes her miserable and requires constant dr or nurse visits or something memory care facility can’t manage. I’m long distance (6hrs).
thanks again all.
Surgery is very dramatic on the body and the older we get the harder it is to recover. Post-op will be difficult and long. Make sure you ask lots of questions. And please see another Dr and not just the plasic surgeon who is not going to be able to tell you if the mass is cancer or not. They really should biopsy it.
It sounds like Russian roulette at 96. Mass removed, patient declines into dementia. Mass not removed and is cancerous, patient declines. Mass not cancerous, not removed, patient continues status quo.
As everyone suggests get a second opinion with an actual diagnosis, right now you are being scheduled for surgery without a diagnosis and that is a red flag. To many doctors use patients as Guinea pigs and it is unconscionable that they do it, but they do.
I would be a broken record, what's the diagnosis? What's the prognosis? What are all the treatment options? I wouldn't let them touch her without getting the above answered.
Good luck, never an easy situation.
I would take a look for yourself, a fungated mass means that it appears to have a fungus, dead cells and bad odor. It is typically a cancerous tumor, not always but even if not cancerous it can't heal properly. I would look.
Let us know what you decide and how mom is doing. I would also like to ask, how are you doing?
Hugs for caring for mom!