Some genetic testing results back

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DarknessEmbraced
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Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
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Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:45 am

Monday I find out the results of my genetic testing. I have to be there early. It's a telehealth appointment. I was told it would last 30 minutes. I just found out by email that they only have the tumor testing done. I will discuss the tumor testing results and what blood tests are appropriate when I see them. The blood tests can take 3 months or more so I won't get all the answers yet. I really wish they had done the blood testing after they had the records. I'm a little frustrated because I wanted to have all the answers. I waited 15 months for my first telehealth appointment with the genetic counselor. Then it took a long time for medical records from the US to arrive. I am also having them testing for Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia(MEN) because all four of my parathyroid glands are enlarged. I had both left parathyroid glands removed in 2004-2005 due to hyperparathyroidism. My parathyroid hormone level has been high since 2007 along with borderline high calcium and very low vitamin D. Parathyroid scan and SPECT scan were negative so we're monitoring. MEN causes tumors in other endocrine glands and some types can cause thyroid cancer.


https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/multi ... statistics
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

jhocno197
Posts: 817
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 9:33 pm

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby jhocno197 » Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:51 am

Goodness, you are always having to put up with ridiculousness from the medical system. I'm sorry. :(
DH - dx Dec 2014, stage IV with bladder & peritoneal involvement - non-resectable
Colostomy
FOLFOX failed
FOLFIRI failed
Tumor actually distending pelvic skin
Not a candidate for last-ditch pelvic exenteration
Stivarga finally begun 2/19/16
Tumor growing/fungating
Lonsurf started 11/18/16
Died 3/10/17

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 10:54 am

Thanks that's how it is here. They wanted the tumor testing and medial records before discussing with me what blood testing would be done. I was hoping they wouldn't see me again until they had the blood testing done.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

lpas
Posts: 1010
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:11 pm

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby lpas » Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:05 pm

So I'm confused--did they not do the Lynch testing or is that part just not back yet? I still can't believe you've had to wait so long for this critical health information. I'm a big supporter of nationalized healthcare but this isn't exactly a great advertisement for the Canadian system.
11/14 Dx sigmoid CC @ 45yo
12/14 Colectomy + hysterectomy
Stage IIIB, T3N1bM0, 2/20 nodes, MSS, G2, KRAS(A146T), TP53, SMAD4, ERBB2, CEA 1.0
2/15-7/15 XELOX & celecoxib
2/19 clean scope
11/19 clean CT
Ongoing cimetidine & other targeted supplements
Mom to a 6 & 8yo

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:08 pm

They did Lynch testing on my colon tumor but no blood testing. When I see her she will tell me the tumor testing results, we'll go over my medical records(for the MEN testing), and will decide what blood tests they will do. The blood tests go out to various labs and can take 3 or more months to come back. The system in Atlantic Canada is outdated and broken.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

lpas
Posts: 1010
Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:11 pm

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby lpas » Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:15 pm

DarknessEmbraced wrote:They did Lynch testing on my colon tumor but no blood testing. When I see her she will tell me the tumor testing results, we'll go over my medical records(for the MEN testing), and will decide what blood tests they will do. The blood tests go out to various labs and can take 3 or more months to come back. The system in Atlantic Canada is outdated and broken.


Well that's good news, I guess. I always thought they used blood for Lynch testing as opposed to tumor tissue but either way I'm glad you're finally getting some results. Here's hoping it's negative! Please let us know.
11/14 Dx sigmoid CC @ 45yo
12/14 Colectomy + hysterectomy
Stage IIIB, T3N1bM0, 2/20 nodes, MSS, G2, KRAS(A146T), TP53, SMAD4, ERBB2, CEA 1.0
2/15-7/15 XELOX & celecoxib
2/19 clean scope
11/19 clean CT
Ongoing cimetidine & other targeted supplements
Mom to a 6 & 8yo

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 2:20 pm

I will let you know how my appointment on Monday goes. What that found with the tumor and what blood testing they are going to do.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

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BeansMama
Posts: 959
Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2016 1:38 am
Location: North Carolina

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby BeansMama » Wed Nov 16, 2016 5:41 pm

Sorry you didn't get all of the results DE. Praying that you get the rest soon and they find what is causing your issues.
41 yrs old
Tumor found 9/2015
Surgery 1 - 11/2015 LAR and colostomy
Surgery 2 - 11/2015 wound vac
Surgery 3 - 12/2015 revise resection, move colostomy
Mets to liver - tumor inoperable - one add'l met destroyed
Stage IVa (T3 N2a M1a)
Primary tumor 9 cm x 7.5 cm x 2 cm
Beginning Folfox 1/2016 - Failed
Beginning Folfiri and vectibix 8/2016 — Failed
Beginning Folfirinox + Avastin 11/2016 - Failed
Beginning Keytruda 1/2017
CEA drop from 345 to 7.3 after starting immunotherapy
Lynch positive 3/2016

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 5:57 pm

Thanks me too. I will find out more Monday. :)
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

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mypinkheaven
Posts: 459
Joined: Fri May 20, 2016 4:29 pm
Facebook Username: Sally Cunningham
Contact:

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby mypinkheaven » Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:38 pm

Good luck on Monday! :wink:
MSS, KRAS Wild NRAS Mutated
9/2012 CRC IIB Lft Colectomy 0 lymph nodes 0 Chemo
10/2013 CT clear
11/15 CEA 2.7 to 4.6
11/15 Spread to uterus. Hysterectomy
2/16 Pelvic radiation 25, brachytherapy 3
4/16 - 6/16 Xeloda
6/16 CT Several lung nodules 5 mm
8/16 CT Nodules still present. Most stable. Some growth
11/16 Transfer to UCSD Moores
12/16 Folfox + Avastin failed
2/17 Folfiri + Erbitux
8/17 5FU+Erbitux No 5FU bolus
7/18 Spread to vagina
6/18 Folfiri + Avastin + Trametinib
6/18 CEA dropping

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:57 pm

Thanks! :)
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)

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Bob Bones
Posts: 162
Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:32 pm
Facebook Username: markcooper1968@btinternet.com
Location: UK

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby Bob Bones » Sun Nov 20, 2016 6:00 am

First test they do when looking for Lynch syndrome is to look for MSI in a tumour sample. If this is found then LS is suspected and then they begin further testing to work out the mutation which can take some time. MSI doesn't confirm LS by itself.

A blood test is only available once the mutation has been identified which will then easily check other family members to see if they are carrying LS.
Sigmoid Tumor 5cm T(3) , 11/23 nodes
Stage IIIC at age 37, Poorly differentiated
Surgery 23/01/06 ( Laparoscopic )
Converted to Formal because of my anatomy!
6 months of Xeloda
NED 10 years (touch wood)
Lynch Syndrome MSH2

Maelleous
Posts: 127
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2016 8:13 am
Location: FL

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby Maelleous » Sun Nov 20, 2016 6:43 am

Wow that is terrible how long they are making you wait. They did blood and tumor testing for me (Cleveland Clinic) and got everything back in about 4 weeks. I'm hoping for the best for you on the results.
M 35 yr
DX Rectal Cancer, 10/16 (symptoms Feb 2016)
Dx stage 2 - Surgery Oct 25 201 Loop ileo w/ j-pouch
Close margins within 1mm
9/38 lymph nodes involved on path / Stg IIIc,pT4, pN2 B, p.M0. MSS, K‐ras, NRAS, no mutation
Started Folfox - 3rd Treament, Dec 30th 2016 Cardiac Arrest - Lucky to be part of the 6% to survive!
S-ICD installed / Port Removed
Vaccine Clinical trial at UPMC - last shot June 2017
Reversal 8/1/17 - Praying this is it!
Still NED

DarknessEmbraced
Posts: 3817
Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2014 4:54 pm
Facebook Username: Riann Fletcher
Location: New Brunswick, Canada

Re: Some genetic testing results back

Postby DarknessEmbraced » Mon Nov 21, 2016 5:48 pm

I updated about my appointment in another post. :) Thanks everyone.
Diagnosed 10/28/14, age 36
Colon Resection 11/20/14, LAR (no illeo)
Stage 2a colon cancer, T3NOMO
Lymph-vascular invasion undetermined
0/22 lymph nodes
No chemo, no radiation
Clear Colonoscopy 04/29/15
NED 10/20/15
Ischemic Colitis 01/21/16
NED 11/10/16
CT Scan moved up due to high CEA 08/21/17
NED 09/25/17
NED 12/21/18
Clear colonoscopy 09/23/19
Clear 5 year scans 11/21/19- Considered cured! :)


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