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Stage 4 cancer with multiple sclerosis

User
Posted 01 Jun 2026 at 15:29

Afternoon all,

 

I have had MS for over 20 years and doing reasonably well so the stage 4 "on average you have 3 to 5 years to live" prostate cancer conversation was a blow.

Is anyone else out there with the same combination? The neurologist and hospital pharmacist want to stop treatment (second round of Mavenclad) as they are concerned that lowering my lymphocytes any further (I think) invites secondary cancer.

The oncologist was content with the apulatimide / mavenclad combo with respect to cancer and I suspect feels I won't be around long enough to worry about secondary cancers.

So if anyone out there is living this life it would be great to get there lived experience.

User
Posted 02 Jun 2026 at 04:38

Hello Mark. Whilst I do not share your co-morbidity, I do have a view on your treatment. In essence I am in agreement with your neurologist and pharmacist. Your two therapies do not complement each other in addressing your co-morbidity. Whilst both are entirely appropriate in accordance with prescribing guidelines (I can only speak for Australia in this regard) for the diseases they were approved for. In your circumstance (as you acknowledge), interference with your already compromised immune system certainly has the possibility of further cancers proliferation. Of course it all becomes a bit academic if your oncologist's view is correct. Thus perhaps turning your attention to matters of importance takes on a whole new meaning when time is not on your side. 

 

Whilst I do not share your pathology, I do share your circumstance. As I have posted on here previously, sometimes the best treatment for people in our situation, is none at all.

 
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