The Colon Club

In November I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I had passed out after a month or so of stomach problems. Earlier, after an ultrasound, my doctor thought it was gallstones and I was awaiting an appointment with a surgeon but when I passed out and went to emergency they determined, after an X-ray and CT scan (subsequently confirmed by a colonoscopy) that it was colon cancer. I remained in hospital and had surgery about two weeks later. The surgeons were confident that they removed all the cancer and thought it was Stage I or II. However, when the biopsy tests came back it turned out that one lymph node they removed was cancerous and so it was Stage III and it was recommended i go on Folfox as a preventative measure. I began chemo in January and had a new CT scan to establish a baseline. In that scan though they found a few tiny spots in my lungs that either had not been there in the previous scan or were larger - but they were too small to determine whether or not they're cancerous and also too small/inconveniently located for a biopsy. I did not have contrast fluid in November because my kidneys were too weak from dehydration but I did have contrast fluid in January. I asked my oncologist if that might explain the difference in the two scans and he said no. I'm now halfway through the Folfox and am having a CT scan of my lungs only tomorrow. My wife asked my doctor what my prognosis is if the spots are cancerous (which would mean I'm Stage IV) and he said 3 to 5 years(!) (I'm 47) and the Johns Hopkins site says that Stage IV means an 11% five-year survivability rate. Needless to say I'm rather worried about the CT scan and what it might mean. If the spots are the same it apparently means they probably aren't cancer. If they're smaller it means they are probably cancerous but are responding to chemo (but it would still mean Stage IV). If they're larger that's even worse. I've had no actual symptoms of lung cancer but I'm a bit concerned that a cold I'm recovering from, and the related mucus in my lung, might interfere with the CT scan.

All I can recommend is don't get ahead of yourself, and don't read statistics. They mean nothing to your particular case. I had taken CT and PET scans for two years before I was informed I had a 4 mm lung nodule on my first CT scan of 1/27/14. My oncologist said that I should not worry about it since it was there in the beginning and had not grown for over two years. I'm glad I didn't know now. I also don't think a doctor should give a possible prognosis based on such minimal information. Try to relax, and try to get your questions answered thoroughly and carefully before making any self-prognosis. Hoping you find definitive answers soon.....and hang in there ! Andre

Different people respond differently to treatments; you might respond amazingly & have them shrink to almost nothing.

Also, look into immunotherapy trials. A lady in this group with lung nodules is involved in a trial & has achieved NED status.

Thanks. Which clinical trials are these? CimaVax?

Welcome to the board and sorry for the reason you're here.*hugs* I hope your scan went well and that you don't have to wait long for results.*hugs* It's best not to look at statistics. It's really difficult but you won't know more until the results are back. I hope the results are good!*hugs*

Thanks. Since it was a lung scan only I didn't have to take that awful contrast fluid or even change into a gown. Quite quick. I have my 8th cycle (of 12) of chemo tomorrow so since the CT was done in the same hospital I expect I'll know the results tomorrow. Hoping for the best.

It's this one at NIH: NCT01174121

Also use this info from cancer research institute:

"
Find a Clinical Trial:

We encourage you to call (toll-free) 1-855-216-0127 to reach a Clinical Trial Navigator who can help you quickly find clinical trials that match your specific diagnosis and treatment history.

Our clinical trial navigators are available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will help you find personalized trial matches, connect with study sites, and answer many of your questions. The service is free and completely confidential. You can also use our online matching tool below.

- See more at: http://www.cancerresearch.org/cancer-im ... 6FcrB.dpuf

Got the CT scan results and the lung nodules are stable so they think they're not cancer and therefore I'm still Stage III. Hurray! Am starting Folfox cycle 8 of 12 today.

That is great news indeed! Yes, I too have a nodule on my lung. It is stable and they didn't even mention it until a couple of scans ago. They have to watch it but it appears that it is not cancerous (knock on wood). I am glad that yours is stable too! Hang in there and get through that Adjuvant chemotherapy. You have a lot of life ahead of you -- keep fighting!

Wonderful news! Congratulations!

Great news. I have similar diagnosis and my lung nodules did not grow in my last CT Scan. I am in my second round of Folfox. I pray all goes well for you.

folbright wrote:Got the CT scan results and the lung nodules are stable so they think they're not cancer and therefore I'm still Stage III. Hurray! Am starting Folfox cycle 8 of 12 today.

Great news!

Yay!!! That's great news!!