A 30-year-old family friend was just diagnosed with stage iv cervical cancer that has also spread to her bladder. is chemotherapy worthwhile?

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can be used to help treat many of the debilitating affects from cancer, even when it has spread to other organs. Your friend's oncologist should individualize the treatment options, taking into consideration your friend's overall health as well as their likelihood to tolerate the chemotherapy. If the quality of life is expected to improve, it is worth it.

Probably: As you know that diagnosis does not carry a good prognosis. Current therapy recommendations would likely include chemotherapy in addition to radiation treatments.

Depends: Stage 4 cancer can only be "controlled" by chemotherapy. It will never be curative. Chemotherapy can extend her longevity by several months.

Yes for chemo: Stage IV cervix Ca presents problems since the trigone or base of bladder sits on cervix and with involvement ureters compromised. Spread to pelvic nodes common. Platinum-Taxol can be given to reduce tumor size as well as high dose MTX This should be followed by RT to pelvis but depends on results of PET scan. If effective and tumor becomes localized, anterior exenteration considered.