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First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:31 am
by _DivideZero_
Hi everyone! I'm Lance.

July 10th I went in for a colonoscopy because of family history. My Dad and Grandpa passed from colon cancer. I'm 40 years old and feel pretty good all and all. No symptoms.

The findings of the colonoscopy was 4 cm mass in the cecum. The doctor said it's probably cancer and that I would need a right Hemicolectomy and possibly chemotherapy. He took 9 biopsies. 5 days later the results of the biopsy was tubular adenoma.

I went to a different doctor for a second opinion.
Had a CT scan and the results showed the mass is localized, has not spread to the surrounding area.
This doctor said that it is not cancer and referred me to a doctor that might be able to remove the mass endoscopically.

Yesterday I went in to have the procedure. The doctor said he could not remove it because the mass is malignant ("probably stage 2 or 3"). He too took some biopsies and sent them to pathology.

I have two questions.

1. Are biopsies the final say on prognosis of cancer?

2. I have the hemi surgery August 28th (about 28 days from now) because my surgeon is on vacation. Is it safe to wait?

Thanks everyone for reading this

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 1:32 pm
by boxhill
According to what I have read, the larger a tubular adenoma gets the more likely it is to have cancerous growth starting within it. It seems as if yours is large enough to be a potential problem.

I'd be puzzled by the conflicting opinions, I must say. Pathologists do differ, and it is perfectly possible for there it be cancer in a large mass and have the biopsy not hit it, but what are the chances that 9 would miss?

Have you gotten the results of the second set of biopsies yet?

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 2:02 pm
by Deb m
Hello,

My husbands mass was also in his cecum. First of all, you do have time to wait for the surgery. Colon cancer is as a whole, a slow growing cancer. Usually a Pet scan will be done to confirm spread or no spread beyond the main mass. This should be done before surgery so they know exactly what to expect and hopefully take care of it all at once. The surgeon should take at least 12 lymph nodes out and have them biopsied along with the mass and surrounding tissue. The pathology results from the surgery will tell them exactly which cell type it is, how aggressive it is, how deep it has grown into or possibly thru the colon wall and if it has spread to the lymphatic system. This information, along with the Pet scan result will give you the stage of your cancer.

Heads up, be sure the surgeon that will be preforming your surgery is a BOARD CERTIFIED COLO-RECTAL SURGEON. This is very important! If you can get a opinion from a major cancer center, that is usually always beneficial in some way. As i said, you have time, don't feel like you have to rush everything. Waiting a bit to be sure your doing the best, getting the best care etc will not be a detriment., rather it may be a good thing! Make sure things are done correct, you don't usually get a second chance.

I know your head is probably spinning now, but once you get the whole picture and start treating things, if needed, you'll feel better. Waiting, I found was one of the hardest parts.

My husbands mass was about the same size as yours and it ended up being stage IIb. Hang in there,

deb m

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 3:09 pm
by DarknessEmbraced
I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hopefully you get more of a definitive answer soon!*hugs* Welcome to the board! :D

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:06 pm
by chrissyrice
For good outcomes and better treatment... please see a Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon ... even if it means going to the nearest NCI to be treated.

I am still here today because I drove to a NCI hospital in Atlanta traffic :D 8)

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:35 am
by _DivideZero_
Thank you for your feedback. I will be sure that the up coming surgery is preformed by a board certified surgeon. I will also take it easy and wait patiently for what ever is to be and not stress about it all. I feel pretty good today so I'm going to go with that.

Thanks again everyone, y'all are a big support.
Best wishes!

OT: Signature issue

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 10:37 am
by O Stoma Mia
chrissyrice wrote:For good outcomes and better treatment... please see a Board Certified Colorectal Surgeon ... even if it means going to the nearest NCI to be treated.

I am still here today because I drove to a NCI hospital in Atlanta traffic :D 8)

@chrissyrice - It looks to me like your current signature is out-of-date, most likely because it is now up to the maximum size, and there is no space left to put your December 2017 surgery and outcome.

Would you be able to update your signature by making it shorter so that your current status can show up in your signature? Thank you.

Here is an example of a shortened chrissyrice signature that would fit in your allocated space and allow display of all your significant results so far:

DX 10-31-09 Surgery 12-1-09 Sigmoid Colon
Stage IIIb T3,N2,MX; Chemo Feb 2010-Aug 2010; 4 rounds Folfox; 8 rounds 5FU +LV
12/2010 PET/CT Scan, Cancer Free
7/2012 CT Scan NED 2 years
10/2013 NED 3 years
8/2014 NED 4 years
Recurrence 6/2015: iliac lymph node(s)
8/2015 Surgery: 3 cm tumor removed+iliac artery graft
3/2016 CT Scan Stable
6/2016 Stable
9/2016 Stable
12/2016 Stable
3/2017 Stable
Recurrence 6/2017
12/2017 Surgery removed all cancer w/ clean margins
07-27-2018 Cancer-free for 7 months

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2018 11:35 am
by NHMike
This sounds like an odd case but it could just be that the biopsies didn't hit the malignant part - maybe the malignant part was quite small? It appears that the doctor doing the endoscopy was able to see that it was malignant and he should be able to take a biopsy of the right area as he knows where it is. The absolute proof would be Genomic Tumor testing where they identify the exact genetic mutation. But you'd need a piece of the malignant part.

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 12:04 am
by PGLGreg
Deb m wrote:Heads up, be sure the surgeon that will be preforming your surgery is a BOARD CERTIFIED COLO-RECTAL SURGEON. This is very important!

I doubt that it is very important. Unless someone has an authoritative source, I'll consider it a rumor.

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 2:48 am
by stu
Oh “hello” Greg . Good to see you on the forum. Still the same old you !! Reassuring in a changing world :wink:
Hope life if treating you well!
Kind regards,
Stu

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 4:39 am
by rp1954
Right sided colon cancer is recently recognized as more risky.
Side matters

I have some pre-op preparations you can do right now, we used to these improve my wife's health and wealth starting with a better initial bloodtest and pre-op treatments. We do these to reduce the unknowns, find or reduce any tumor burden, and likelihood of additional metastases.

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 6:59 am
by O Stoma Mia
boxhill wrote:According to what I have read, the larger a tubular adenoma gets the more likely it is to have cancerous growth starting within it. It seems as if yours is large enough to be a potential problem. ...

There are some research findings on large and tubular adenomas:
https://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59961&p=476444#p476444

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2018 8:18 pm
by _DivideZero_
Ok, well...second biopsy came back as Adenocarcinoma. Have the right hemicolectomy scheduled the 28th (25 days from now) but I'm going to see if I can get in earlier. Not the news I wanted to hear.

Thanks everyone! Helping to prepare me for the news is very much appreciated. I was not shocked or surprised and took it better being ready for the prognosis.

Best wishes everyone! Have a great weekend!

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 12:13 pm
by stu
Hi ,
You have a good weekend too .
Sorry about your news but I am glad you were at least prepared .
All the very best with your upcoming surgery . Hope it all goes smoothly for you .
Take care,
Stu

Re: First post on colon talk, just a few questions

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2018 11:00 pm
by CRguy
_DivideZero_ wrote: Have the right hemicolectomy scheduled the 28th (25 days from now) .....


Sending Mega POSI VIBES +++++++
for a successful surgery
and a peaceful, pain free recovery

Harmony on the Journey
CRguy