New here.....lung and bone mets

[andrea15]

Hi. I am awaiting tests as they think I have colon cancer with mets to lungs and spine. I had a ct in February which found a small nodule in each lower lobe of lungs and a sclerotic lesion in lumbar spine. The nodules did not grow in 4 months but I now have change in bowel habit, bleeding and low ferritin in my blood hence the possible diagnosis.

I hope I am welcome here even without a diagnosis yet.

I would like to speak to anyone with experience of this kind of spread as I am scared the prognosis is very poor. I have two children aged 13 and 8 and I am terrified. I am 42.

Any input greatly appreciated.

[Beatrice]

Hi Andrea,
Not every cancer is very aggressiveand fast.They are all different . My dear Richard's case seems to proof
that colon cancer can go slowly. Starting in 1993(stage3) and with spread to the bladder in 2008/09 and to the lung in 2011 he is still fighting the
beast although he can not be operated on the lung met.
Your cancer might be able to be resected and treated with chemo and radiation.
Do not despair - there are so many factors that play into this.
I wish you only good news.
big hug
Beatrice

[Bev G]

Hello Andrea, and welcome,

"WHO" is it that "thinks you have colon cancer with lung and bone mets"? Could you explain how "they" came to that, how "they" explained it to you? I bet if we knew that, we could offer you lots of ideas. So far, I got nothin', and I would love the chance to help you.

Best to you,

Bev

[andrea15]

Chest specialist said nodules could be mets and because of bowel issues it could be coming from there. My own dr is concerned about the low ferritin as there is little else to explain it apart from a bleed. They have done blood panel to rule out celiac disease. Results tuesday.
I have some pain in my left side of pelvis which has been there a while so Im worried its another lesipn. I have no pain where they found the lesion in my back.

[Bev G]

Hi again, Andrea,

I believe you said you had the CT in question in February. Have you had a colonoscopy done since then? Sclerotic lesions on the spine can be many things other than cancer. Ditto with lung nodules. Lots and lots of people have a lifetime worth of rather meaningless "junk" that is never seen until they are scanned for something...then some weird, often benign stuff can show up. When I was initially diagnosed with stage IV disease there were a few little weirdnesses found in my lungs. They have never changed in 3.5 years, and are most likely the result of my cleaning up some bat crap in my garage without a mask on. If one of your docs really thinks you may have colon cancer, it is ridiculous (and dare I say negligent) that it has been 5 months without a colonoscopy! There has also been plenty of time to work up your low ferritin, which like so many other things, can be caused by many things, some of them hereditary. We'll be here, anxious to help!

Bev

[andrea15]

I didnt mention the bowel issues until last week when I noticed blood. I put the change in bowels dow to anxiety.

[janklo]

Andrea, you do need a colonoscopy. Also blood tests for tumor markers. CEA is the colon cancer one. CA19-9 is the pancreatic. Really a pet scan would be a good idea to see what lights up. Without these tests or a biopsy, I don't see how your doc can know what's going on.

[andrea15]

They said there is protocol with when they do CEA and they wont do it. I am hoping the hospital will do colonoscopy rather than another ct scan

Thank for posting

[andrea15]

They wont do cea as I dont meet the protocol. I am in the IK and maybe things are different here

[JDinNC]

Hi Andrea,

Like you, I'm new here looking for help and answers also. It's been about a month since I had a colonoscopy and they found a tumor. From there, I had a CT scan where they notice a small nodule ( sweet pea size) on my lung. They said it might be nothing because of the size but they sent me for a lung CT and a needle biopsy on the lung nodule. That was almost two weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the results on those tests and hopefully a date for my surgery to remove the tumor. It's driving me crazy not knowing anything. I know what you're feeling....as do everyone on this board. They have been there... as for you and I, we are only beginning. I agree with them....you need a colonoscopy. This is your starting point...and then go for there.

Good luck on your Tuesday appointment.. hope everything is good news for you....

[andrea15]

Hi JD. How big is the nodule? Mine are 4 and 5 mm and did not grow in 4 months. I do not know how fast malignant ones grow thougb some sites sayaverage of 4 months. May I ask your age and male or female? I am praying they will find nothinv. Whay symptoms did you have? I need to ask an on ologist how unusual it is for bone spread but I cannot talk to one unless diagnosed.

Thank for the reply

[kiwiinoz]

JD
Can you post some more data on your case please?
Kiwi

[aime21]

Hi andrea, like you im new here., I agree . you need colonoscopy. Cancer is really a freaking bad luck. hoping that its not aggressive kind. My husband is very aggressive cancer with mucin that spreading to signet ring very little chance., its not easy to wake up everyday not thinking that one day your love ones not with you anymore. I have also a 3 year old one and only son. Be strong my dear., ask your doctor for colonoscopy.

aime21
With stage IIIC CRC-Husband

[JDinNC]

Andrea and Kiwi,

I'm a 61 y/o female, who's healthy, non smoker and not over weight. I've always been constipated for years and never thought anything of it. Just thought this was normal, besides you don't usually talk about this stuff in normal conversations. About 15 years ago, I was having a pain in my right side where over those years, I had a barium enema , colonoscopy and a ethogram. They couldn't find anything wrong and chalked it up as IBS, though they did say I had hemorrhoids. We moved to a new state where I told my new doctor about my past history. About 4 years ago, I started to have the pain in my side again. my doctor solution was to give me a prescription for constipation. At the end of 2012, I noticed bright blood in my stool and figured it was my hemorrhoids. I also realizes when having conversations with my friends that they were having their colonoscopy, blood work and urine test, which was never done to me.
It was at this point I decided to find a new doctor, which I saw on June 4. On that first visit, she did all the test which my old doctor never did in the past 8 years. She ordered a colonoscopy the following week where she found the tumor. I realized I should of had more controlled over my health but I' m still angry at my old doctor for not ordering a colonoscopy since it part of protocol for anyone over 50.

Andrea..take charge of your health. Don't let them tell you no...go to another doctor until you get what you want. My lung nodule was the size of a pea 6.8mm they said something that small is usually benign but they still wanted a biopsy. I have my next appointment for my results on Wednesday, I'm hoping and praying that there's no spread of cancer to my lungs.

Kiwi.....I Wish I had some stats for you but I haven't even had my tumor removed yet. So I don't even know if my cancer has spread or what stage I ' m at. I live in a small town where our hospitals are more like bandage stations. Needless to say, I don't have much faith in the treatment I'll be getting. Though, I do like the surgeon my primary doctor referred to me. My friend is an emergency room nurse and went with me for my initial visit...so glad she came because I was like a deer in the headlights...nothing was sinking in as to what he was saying.

[andrea15]

Thanks for the input people. My earlier post was meant to say I am in the UK. I am incredibly scared waiting for the date for my test. My partner is losing patience because I am unable to see that this could be nothing serious. I know I am jumping ahead but I cant help it. Im not eating or looking after my kids properly.