Recently admitted him to a memory care facility...had a minor stroke Sept 2016. We just want him to be as comfortable as possible. Should we attempt to find out type of bone cancer and stage? Would that be invasive to find out. He has continued pain on his right knee and both legs and feet are very swollen. Ar there different types of pain relief for different types of bone cancer. I read cancer in elderly is very slow progression...is that true for bone cancer?
As for checking to see what type of bone cancer Dad could have, maybe this cancer had spread from some other place in Dad's body, such as the lungs, colon, prostrate, etc. It would be best if the doctor's knew the starting place, then the POA and Dad [if he is able] could decide if the test isn't evasive to have the test done. If the test will be painful, that is a decision Dad or the POA would need to make.
Then the decision as to whether to treat the cancer or not. With modern medicine using immune therapy, it might be worth looking into.
Keep in mind that dementia is a terminal condition.
Whether he has further tests or not, focus on the pain he is experiencing. Hospice may be able to help a lot -- managing pain is what they do, after all. Comfort is a great goal at this point!
I am so sorry you are facing this.
My brother and I called the geriatrics doc at the hospital for a consult. As Jeanne said he told us and mom to think about if there was willingness to treat what might show up. Mom shook her head no. We declined the biopsy. Mom is still with us 5 years later.
Listen to what the oncologist has to say. But in your shoes, i wouldn't put dad through anything painful.
My now 91 year old uncle started out with prostate cancer, it eventually traveled into his bones . It did take over 10 years for it to happen, but it did. It showed up in a nuclear scan made especially for bone cancer. We were able to find a very good oncologist who treated my uncle with medication for the past 2+ years.
Given his age and other medical problems like copd, chemo was not an option. It would have ruined the quality of life he had left. He was treated with different types of meds that have worked up until recently.
If I was in your shoes, I would not put your Dad through any painful test. If you have a good oncologist, they probably will be able to tell you more than you want to know.
The nuclear scan takes about 3 hours but it can pin point where the cancer is in his bones.
My heart is with you during this time. ❤