SeekingJana
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How is 'treatable' a euphemism for 'palliative'? Treatable means it can be treated, whereas palliative means it can't.
:waitasec:
Treatable measures include removal of most of the mass, thus giving more lung function. Treatable means they can make Joe P. more comfortable for a time though they most likely cannot stop the spread of lung cancer.
Treating means improving the quality of life over what he would have if the lung mass receives NO attention whatsoever.
Treatable does NOT equal curable. Not by any means. If he has carcinoma of the lung, he will die of metastatic cancer within a few months after the tumor is removed. He is way too old for chemotherapy and probably also radiation. He is at the end of a normal lifespan. He is not a candidate for aggressive treatment measures under the guidelines for helping people in the long run through cancer treatment measures.
So, while he can be treated, he is dying, and he will die, most likely before too long at his advanced age. I'm not sure palliative measures are the right term-- more like " conservative treatment due to advanced age".