lying? about cancer

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Specializes in Med/surg, home health, ICU, PCU, Cardio.

Hey all..I am a med/surg nurse with no experience in oncology. I have a pt with bipolar disorder who is claiming to have stage 3 ovarian cancer as well as stage 2 uterine cancer. Pt states she has spots on her liver, kidney, and pancreas. Pt claims to be receiving radiation treatment four days a week for an hour at a time for two weeks two days. No hysterectomy, no surgical or chemo intervention :eek:. Does this sound like standard of care? I can not find any literature that supports NOT removing ovary/uterus, NOT giving chemotherapy . Thoughts?

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It all depends on the cancer. This isn't the most common form of tx and I'd probably inquire further from a more reliable source, but it wouldn't make me think she's lying. A borderline or low grade ca may not require chemo, she may be having XRT to treat symptoms first, chemo or debulking may follow, there are any number of things that can be going on.

Just on a personal note, I had a non-invasive stage III ovarian ca (I was an oncology nurse first) and had a fertility-sparing optimal debulking and never did chemo...and I hope I'll never need to!

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Specializes in Oncology, Medical.

Don't you have access to her medical history in her chart? I would believe that to be the most reliable. Additionally, she's probably being followed by an oncologist so check any referrals that have been made regarding cancer treatments.

I'm no expert, but the one patient I've had so far with uterine ca, she was receiving radiation therapy and then was scheduled to start brachytherapy. I don't think something like chemo or surgical excision would be totally out of the question, though...but again, I'm no expert ^^;;

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Specializes in Med/surg, home health, ICU, PCU, Cardio.

Thanks...it is through her medical records that I noticed some indiscrepancies. My access is limited because I am home health RN. Just seemed odd that she has spots on her liver, kidney and pancreas and no chemo, no hysterectomy. There is the additional concern that because she is bipolar and on medicaid that she is not being given standard of care. I really appreciate your responses. Just goes to prove what phenomenal people nurses are that you took time to respond. Thanks!!! BTW, I am strongly encouraging her to seek second opinion, just in case.

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