Lung, liver, throat cancer????

Please help...any info appreciated...

80 year old grandad disgnosed with liver and lung cancer 2 weeks ago and paralysed down left neck so difficult in eating and drinking has not eat or drank much for 3 weeks at least 600 calories aday and little drinks started with lump in neck then tiredness cannot walk or stand for long gone for independent to dependent. symptoms...extreme tired ness, yellow skin and eyes which has reduced rapidly sicne beeing put on drip in hospital 2 days ago

prev history postate cancer 3 years ago but was under control postate ok now, non smoker drinks very little alcohol

not bring sputum up or coughing not out of breath, shouldnt he be bringing sputum up if has lung cancer?....if it was throat cancer shouldnt he be bringing things up with that?.....hes been tired and losy weight for about 4 months

thanks for reading question so worried about him!xx

Your Grandfather is lucky having people like you around him who love him so much. A diagnosis of this kind would indicate palliation which basically would mean keeping him as comfortable as possible for the rest of his life and controlling any cancer related symptoms, for example pain or sickness.

As has already been said, sputum and secretions are not automatically indicated in lung cancer and he may only be breathless on exertion. Also he may have never smoked in his life but still contract lung cancer, the same goes for alcohol and liver cancer. He will likely have one of these as a primary cancer and it will have spread to the other areas (metasteses).

As for nutrition the best thing to do is, if he can eat, offer small portions with high calorific value for example full fat milk, add full fat cream to soups or soft puddings etc... he will not want to eat much and will be put off even more if constantly offered large meals, which is what people tend to do with someone they care for and love. You can also get high protein drinks/shakes... the District Nurse can order these for him, there not to everyones taste but he may like them.

If he cant swallow he may be able to be fed through a tube which would go into his stomach but this depends on how far advanced his cancer is and what condition he is in as it can be quite traumatic having these inserted.

I hope this helps in some way, the key is to give him as much love, care and dignity as you possibly can, this will help him through his last days and it will help you knowing you did this for him when he is no longer with you in this life.

Poor Grandad, poor you.
It sounds as if the cancer in his neck is causing most trouble physically as he cannot eat/ drink.
Cancer in a lung does not necessarily produce secretions unless there is infection present and the liver cancer would lead to a yellow skin.
Make him as physically comfortable as possible. A stomach tube or iv infusion would help keep him hydrated and make it easier to administer some nourishment or any drugs needed.
Loving him as much as you do makes it worse for you, but better for him.
Good luck to both of you.

Hi, I hope my answer doesn't upset you but my mother died with Liver cancer 6 years ago, unfortunately itdoesnt show many symptoms until the very end (i.e. when death is very near), from diagnosis of liver cancer to death - it was about 8 weeks. My mum also couldn't eat or drink towards the end, and she was very very tired, in fact, once she was diagnosed, she went down hill extremely rapidly, she was only 50. Have fun with your grandad and talk about the good old times, make him laugh, people think that when someone is very ill, that they can't have fun... they can!
God bless you and your grandad x

I'm so sorry to hear about your Grandad. He sounds very ill indeed.

It does sound as if his poor old body is beginning to sucumb to the cancer and I suspect that he will be given 'palliative care' (symptom management) now, since to expect a cure for him is not reasonable. This means he will be treated for his pain, nausea etc with compassion and care. It may be that he would be best managed in a Hospice, or even at home, if you have sufficient support. In the UK there are Marie Curie Nurses who would help you at home with practical nursing care.

Sputum is not, as others have said, necessarily a symptom of lung cancer, though it may become an issue as may breathlessness.

I'm sorry, but it really sounds as if tender loving care is going to be your main 'weapon' - especially the 'love' bit. He's lucky to have a grandchild who cares so deeply.