My dad is 82. When he was 80, and was diagnosed with cancer, his mind was fine. Then he went through radiation and 2 courses of Xeloda, an oral chemotherapy drug. His treatment stopped because he refused to do port infusion chemotherapy and surgery.
He seemed OK at first after treatment but within the last 18 months he has lost a lot of cognitive function. He forgets everything, has trouble expressing his thoughts, and has gotten so weak he can barely walk. I am convinced it's because of the chemotherapy.
I wish he'd never taken it
I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer in Jan of 2023 that had metastasized into my lymph nodes, bones and liver. I was given 2 months to live, at 65 years old. I had the opportunity to take immunotherapy treatments, a double dose of 2 different drugs at one time, administered 4x in order for my own body to potentially destroy the cancer. My oncologist told me it would "kick my a$$" and I could die from the treatments, but that I'd surely die w/o them. I was between a rock and a hard place, I felt. I was able to tolerate only 2 infusions of immunotherapy before I had such a bad reaction that I was hospitalized. Twice. With no cure and no treatment available for my severe vertigo, Uveitis inflammation in both eyes, and very loud ringing in my ears. Amongst other debilitating symptoms.
It is now 2 years later and the audio vestibular toxicity is still ongoing. It's a central nervous system dysfunction that apparently is permanent. I am legally blind. The tx for the Uveitis caused glaucoma and cataracts which cannot be removed until and unless the inflammation in my eyes can be controlled for 3 months. So far so bad. The quality of my life has been seriously, seriously compromised in return FOR my life. The 2 immunotherapy treatments killed off all the cancer in my body, for now, but left me so dizzy and w/o clear vision, that I have difficulty functioning.
Worst of all, nobody can help me. My toxic reaction is SO rare as to be unheard of. So neurologists and oncologists have no answers for me. They just "don't know". But hey, they tell me, you're still alive! A medical miracle!
While you can't "prove" your father is suffering side effects from chemo, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to blame chemicals and radiation for the man's condition. Let common sense prevail.
I constantly get asked the question, would you take the toxic cocktails again if you knew then what you know now? At first I said yes. But now, as my vision fades more every day, I'd have to say no. Walking with a cane and suffering daily vertigo is a terrible thing, but being blind and suffering vertigo is a life not worth living, imo.
The cancer was found Oct 1995 and she passed Oct 1996. I have always wondered if she had just had radiation and no chemo, would she still have lived that year, maybe longer. It really is a Catch 22. D**ned if u do, d**ned if you don't.
"While Xeloda (capecitabine) is not directly linked to causing dementia, it can, in rare cases, trigger a serious neurological side effect called "toxic leukoencephalopathy" which can manifest with symptoms like confusion, memory problems, and impaired cognitive function, potentially mimicking dementia-like symptoms; therefore, it's important to monitor for any neurological changes while taking Xeloda and consult your doctor immediately if concerns arise."
You need to contact Dads doctor and tell him what is going on. Seems they can't cure the problem but maybe able to clean out the toxin which may help.
You are right about one thing and that's that chemo is quite hard on the body. I was, last Feb. diagnosed with my second breast cancer. First one was 39 years ago, and I did take chemo. This time I declined any chemo. The risks outweighed, to me--old retired RN 82 y/o--what benefit I might get
So given your recent post to us, and the anguish and problems you have on your plate, I wouldn't waste time in thinking about the CAUSE of the dementia. Sadly "cause" for these declines are in the realm of the unknown and unprovable. And because all chemo has so many warnings given before it is allowed, it little matters if this was the cause or there's some other.
I am assuming Dad has recent MRI to assess just what IS happening? Or a brain scan? There could be some metastasis of the cancer to the brain.
There is often some brain "fog" after chemo. People taking chemo are in fact warned of it. Before someone gets chemo they are given the full particulars on possible side effects; if dad kept them you may want to review them or even look up the side effects online of the chemo dad took. It is known that chemo CAN affect almost any system in the body, including the brain, bones, kidneys; chemo can even CAUSE cancers in the future, most notably lymphomas.
Next time you and dad are to his doc you can discuss this with the doctor; that's the best place to take this particular concern.
The 6 rounds of chemo, 33 rounds of radiation, and 26 rounds of herceptin aged her body 20 years. She's more 93 than 73. She received all the chemo and herceptin treatments via a chemo needle on her left hand and she still struggles to open her left hand. Her left leg is slightly bigger than the right because the got the chemo from that side of her body.
She's been less and less active over the past few years and idk how much of it is because of any remaining side effects from the treatments. Last year, she was up and out of bed doing stuff 41 times. In 2023, she was up 55 times.
She's in the at-risk category regarding Covid and when it comes to picking between doing PT after putting it off for so long and choosing to stay home to avoid getting Covid or the flu, she continues to choose the latter. I don't want her to be a Covid or flu casualty, but I don't want to take care of her anymore either.
At 71 my FIL got pancreatic cancer. He did aggressive treatment, including chemo, and definitely got chemo brain.
I think that blaming the chemo for rapid decline won’t help anything and will make you unhappy, perhaps blaming either yourself or the doctors. Remember that quicker end-of-life decline is what most of us want. Have courage for him and for you.
I'm not blaming anything or anyone. This is life. I'm just asking if anyone had a similar experience.
My dad's decline frustrates him, it's not he wants.