Patrick Swayze Dying?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by BigRedBeta

I'd be VERY careful about what you declare as "optimal" treatment. You're not his physician, you don't have access to his medical records.

Very true. Although there are standard courses of treatment, every patient is treated individually. Especially with the growing list of biotech/targeted therapies used to fight cancer, there is no "optimal" treatment for everyone.

ETA: keep in mind that many patients opt for certain treatments based on quality of life considerations.

[BigRedBeta]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

Very true. Although there are standard courses of treatment, every patient is treated individually. Especially with the growing list of biotech/targeted therapies used to fight cancer, there is no "optimal" treatment for everyone.

ETA: keep in mind that many patients opt for certain treatments based on quality of life considerations.

This is my point exactly - while there are 'standards of care' and treatment protocols that are frequently used, to say that anything is the "optimal" treatment is simply incorrect medically. Even further, I'd say that it would be unethical for a medical professional to label almost any treatment for any disease "optimal", especially one with as many side effects as combined chemo, radiation, and surgery. The fact that this triple therapy is even a standard treatment protocol belies the horrible outcomes associated with pancreatic cancer.