Postby MrsNotes » Fri Aug 14, 2015 10:57 pm
Hi all,
I was here in 2012 when I was diagnosed with Stage 1 colorectal cancer at age 39. You all were incredibly helpful and I'm sorry to have disappeared after surgery and recovery. My case was straightforward: 4 cm tumor in rectosigmoid junction removed with 12 inches of colon and neighboring polyp at same time. Annual colonoscopies since, due to age at diagnosis (39) and extensive family history (but Lynch negative). First 2 were clean, but most recent one in May revealed 4 new tubular adenomas. Oncologist takeaway was that we will continue annual scopes because my colon "likes to make polyps." CEA was 1.0 at diagnosis, .3 after surgery, .8 at last draw in March.
This summer, I developed a feeling of chest tightness after a period of being ill with fevers and chills. Chest X-ray revealed abnormal fullness in AP Window, and a CT was suggested.
CT revealed 1 cm nodule in left lung, along with a neighboring 4 mm nodule. Also significant AP window adenopathy and 2 enlarged hilar lymph nodes (both around 2 cm).
Needle biopsy of lung nodule inconclusive.
Referred to pulmonary oncologist who recommends bronchoscopy with lymph node biopsy. He thinks this all may be related to an infectious or inflammatory process, but cannot rule out concerns of colorectal recurrence or a new primary cancer. I am having the bronch on Monday.
Has anyone had lung mets or distant lymph node mets after a stage 1 or 2 diagnosis? Has anyone had a bronch with lymph node biopsy? I have not had a CT of abdomen and am wondering if that should have been ordered to look for other nodes or liver involvement, but I guess the biopsy will tell us if we need to look for those. I welcome any and all thoughts, anecdotes, words of wisdom from all the warriors on here!
Thanks,
Mrs Notes
DX during colonoscopy, 7/20/12 age 39
Laparoscopic resection, 8/03/12
12 in. Sigmoid colon and 1/3 rectum removed
0 of 29 nodes malignant
Stage 1, no chemo, no raditation
8/15 being tested for suspicious lung nodule and enlarged hilar lymph nodes