Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
Trying
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 10:11 pm

Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby Trying » Fri May 18, 2018 11:34 pm

Hello. Its is me Trying again. Just diagnosed colon cancer stage 4. Dr says he doesnt think liver mets operable in both sides. However hadn't yet mentioned removing cancer in the colon. I've only had one visit with him and he already ordered genetic testing and pet scan. Do they usually deal with liver first. I didn't even think to ask!
38 yr old single mom of almost 2 year old at the time
April 2018 colon cancer stage IV 10 liver mets and peri met. Folfox and 12 rounds oxyplatin
Fec 2018 Down to 2 mets in liver. 8 dissapeared
July 2019 switched to xeloda pills as I prefer to 3 day infusion. Also on avistan
Oct 2019 emergency colostomy due to perforated bowel. ( unreal pain)
Feb 2020 show 2mm tumor increase.
Plan to go back on oxy
Oxy failed- irinotecan as of of Sept 2020

User avatar
O Stoma Mia
Posts: 1709
Joined: Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:29 am
Location: On vacation. Off-line for now.

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby O Stoma Mia » Sat May 19, 2018 1:08 am

You are asking about surgery options for Stage IV metastatic cancer.

The options are covered in the NCCN guideline on colon cancer in the Chapter 5 on Metastatic Disease.

https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/colon/index.html#50

It looks like your doctor is putting you on either neoadjuvant FOLFOX or neoadjuvant CAPEOX. The surgical options for this are listed under Option 2, Primary Treatment. For this option, surgery comes after you have finished neoadjuvant chemo.

Geoman
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 29, 2018 8:48 pm

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby Geoman » Sat May 19, 2018 9:36 am

I was in similar condition. I was however determined to be operable. They started me with chemo to see if the cancer would respond. I took 4 rounds of chemo-had scans- did a 5th before surgery. They never said this but I think they wanted to see if the cancer would respond. If it had not I expect they would not have performed the liver surgery. They wanted to get control of the metastasis before dealing with the primary tumor.
Dx @ 44, rectal cancer-stage 4 with Mets to liver 8/16
CEA 19
Kras g12d; Braf
Ypt3,ypN1a,ypM1
5 rounds 5fu with avastin (4) 9/16-11/16
PVE/Liver Resection 12/16
28 days rad/xeloda 2/17-3/17
APR-4/17
Clear Margins
7 rounds 5Fu with avastin- 5/17-8/17
CEA-1.2
NED-12/17, 1/18,
Multiple spots in lungs-5/18

Detox
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 5:27 pm

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby Detox » Sat May 19, 2018 9:54 am

Stage IV patients usually begin with chemo, which can lead to surgery to remove all cancer in your body. So hopefully after you do about 4-5 months of chemo, all of your tumors will be small enough to be operable.

Definitely try to push the doctor to be aggressive to help you reach an operable state which can lead to NED and curing you.

Trying
Posts: 250
Joined: Sun May 13, 2018 10:11 pm

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby Trying » Sat May 19, 2018 10:06 am

Thank you all!
38 yr old single mom of almost 2 year old at the time
April 2018 colon cancer stage IV 10 liver mets and peri met. Folfox and 12 rounds oxyplatin
Fec 2018 Down to 2 mets in liver. 8 dissapeared
July 2019 switched to xeloda pills as I prefer to 3 day infusion. Also on avistan
Oct 2019 emergency colostomy due to perforated bowel. ( unreal pain)
Feb 2020 show 2mm tumor increase.
Plan to go back on oxy
Oxy failed- irinotecan as of of Sept 2020

stu
Posts: 1613
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:46 pm

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby stu » Sat May 19, 2018 10:19 am

Hi ,
My mum went straight to chemo both times . I think it saved her life. The world health organisation used to recommend it to pull in any further spread . To be honest I have not checked recently .
My mum was inoperable before chemo each time . I think it’s also good to see how you respond to treatment. Better to know what works for you .
Take care,
Stu
supporter to my mum who lives a great life despite a difficult diagnosis
stage4 2009 significant spread to liver
2010 colon /liver resection
chemo following recurrence
73% of liver removed
enjoying life treatment free
2016 lung resection
Oct 2017 nice clear scan . Two lung nodules disappeared
Oct 2018. Another clear scan .

User avatar
juliej
Posts: 3114
Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:59 pm

Re: Dr doesn't seem to approach colon removal

Postby juliej » Mon May 21, 2018 5:55 pm

It's definitely chemo first for Stage 4's unless there is a blockage. Hopefully, the chemo will start shrinking everything right away. I know I felt a difference in just two chemo cycles.

Hugs to you!
Juliej
Stage IVb, liver/lung mets 8/4/2010
Xelox+Avastin 8/18/10 to 10/21/2011
LAR, liver resec, HAI pump 11/2011
Adjuvant Irinotecan + FUDR
Double lung surgery + ileo reversal 2/2012
Adjuvant FUDR + Xeloda
VATS rt. lung 12/2012 - benign granuloma!
VATS left lung 11/2013
NED 11/22/13 to 12/18/2019, CEA<1


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 112 guests