Lung Cancer and Bone Metastasis

Case Assessment

Lung Cancer and Bone Metastasis

According to the Canadian Cancer Society (2014h), there are two main types of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer, the most common and grows more slowly; and small cell lung cancer, grows quickly and often spreads to distant parts of the body.

The progression of lung cancer could be spreading from the lung to other parts of body, where they can grow into new tumours, which called metastasis such as bone metastasis that can be occur in any bone such as the spine, pelvis, ribs, upper legs and arms bones, and skull (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014a; Canadian Cancer Society, 2014b).

The prognosis of lung cancer affected by different factors such as stage and characteristics of the cancer, the chosen treatment, and response to the treatment (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014e). Some major signs and symptoms of lung cancer includes worsen cough that wont go away, constant chest pain, blood-stained sputum, shortness of breath, fatigue, weight loss, etc (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014d). As the cancer spreads to other parts of body, the person might experience bone pain, broken bone, increased calcium level in blood or spinal cord compression (Canadian Cancer Society, 2014c).

The emotional/ psychosocial impart from cancer can affect the patient and also his/her family and friends. The patient might “fell shock, disbelief, fear anxiety, guilt, sadness, grief, depression, anger, and more” (American Cancer Society, 2012). When the doctor first tell the patient about the cancer, it is not uncommon that patient and family experiencing those feelings and often they might be feeling confused about the whole situation.

Canadian Cancer Society (2014g) mentioned that treatment options are depended on d...

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... 66. He loves working at a local garden centre as he could meet with people and landscapes.

Frank thinks that his family worried about him because of his illness and he missed the good feelings before he has diagnosed with his cancer. I think Frank does not usually express his actual feelings and thoughts to his family and not willing to share it as he thinks that the topic will be upsetting to his family. According to Keall et al. (2011), with the use of sharing his life stories to other people, it helps identify their strengths and role both in society and in their family structure (p. 456). With the love of nature, we as the counsellor could discuss about his funeral plan due to his advanced illness. We can arrange what does the patient’s preferences about in his own funeral and create a plan that will work based on Frank’s personal and financial circumstances.