Hi, my brother is 55, has extensive small cell lung cancer with brain mets, his lung tumor was 8.6 cm about 2 months ago, last week he has 5 days of brain radiotherapy, he is on steroids which he is reducing gradually, but he has developed a rash all over & keeps getting shivery & sleeps most of the time, is this normal & how long is he going to live
Hi, Thanks for writing in. If your brother is having rashes all over the body with shivering and Chat Doctor.  Please discuss this with his doctors and whether his radiation therapy must be stopped for some time. Cancer in lung that has spread to the brain can have a survival duration of 2 years with the best of treatment and supportive care. However, his general condition must be taken care of to tend his survival. It is possible that he might have some infection due to his low immune state and that is causing the rashes and shivering. This can be confirmed only after complete clinical examination. If an infection is confirmed then that requires to be treated. Please make attempts to provide him with adequate nutrition and fluids rich in proteins and vitamins. Please do not worry.