The Colon Club

Hello everyone. Haven't logged on for a couple of years but still visit often. Reaching out to get an opinion on latest ct scan please? Declared NED in 2018...clear scan and cea was 2 at last blood test 6 months ago. Usual simple cysts still visible and unchanged but new low density solid lesions have appeared which are deemed to be suspicious for metastatic deposits. G.P is arranging appointment with specialist. Does this mean a biopsy will be required to confirm? Many thanks forum friends, appreciate any advice.xxx

Hi Karen. I’m not an expert but I don’t think they would do a biopsy in this case. A PET scan or PET-CT might be the next step.

Thank you for the info. Just waiting now for an appointment to confirm one way or the other.

Hi Karen just wanted to check and see if you had any updates?

My husband was diagnosed 4 years ago and all scans and CEA have been good since surgery and use of Capecitabine .

He went back to DR for 6 month check up today and they told him there was a spot on his liver that was not there 6 months ago and his CEA number jumped to 12 this time.

Hello, yes actually had an appointment today. 5 confirmed liver mets. An unrelated ultrasound detected suspicious lesions so ct scan followed. They were unsure if mets so then mri and pet scan to evaluate further. MDT meeting between liver surgeon, oncologist and specialist to decide on which path to take is happening on Monday. Hopefully after that we will have a plan. Bit of a shock that it has come back after 7 years but it is what it is. My cea has never been more than 2 since the day I was originally diagnosed so it isn't a good indicator for me. Best wishes to your husband too and hope all goes well.

He went back today and there is a 2 inch mass on his liver. Do other spots. Doing a biopsy in the morning but DR is pretty sure it is cancer so going ahead and scheduling for a port to be put in and putting him in touch with a Specialist at Emory to see about surgery after Chemo.

We were almost at the 5 year mark. We both thought this was behind us. I hate this!

Praying for you and everyone going through this. Stay Strong.

KarenE wrote:Hello, yes actually had an appointment today. 5 confirmed liver mets. An unrelated ultrasound detected suspicious lesions so ct scan followed. They were unsure if mets so then mri and pet scan to evaluate further. MDT meeting between liver surgeon, oncologist and specialist to decide on which path to take is happening on Monday. Hopefully after that we will have a plan. Bit of a shock that it has come back after 7 years but it is what it is. My cea has never been more than 2 since the day I was originally diagnosed so it isn't a good indicator for me. Best wishes to your husband too and hope all goes well.

Karen, I see by your signature that you had two liver lesions at your original diagnosis in 2013. I am assuming they were resected at some point since you said you were declared NED in 2018??? If the resection was done in 2018, you are right in the statistical norm for a recurrence (2 years post-resection).

It sounds like you're one of the people for whom CEA is not a good indicator. Just curious if your oncologist has ever suggested a CA19-9 and/or an LDH test instead? They often work for a "heads up" for recurrences.

Hopefully, your docs will come up with a plan that will get you back to NED as soon as possible! Hang in there!

Juliej

Hi JulieJ, Original lesions were cysts and they are still there. Unfortunately there are new lesions which have only just shown on MRI and PET scans . Only ever had CT scans and bloods over the six years of monitoring. No chemo as I was stage 1. Surgery was ULAR in 2013. Three of the mets are small but other two are 2.6cm and 2.9cm. Not sure yet if any or all of them could be resected. Many thanks for your reply, much appreciated.

Missb2020 , sorry to hear that your husband is dealing with this too. Just when we think we are out of the woods we are thrown a curve ball. All the best to you and your husband. Take care.

My apologies for the late responses but I live in Australia .Thank you everyone.xx

Just updating previous post. Liver resection booked in for Monday 25th. Only 3 tumours can be resected other 2 will have microwave ablation. Not looking forward to it but grateful that it can be done. Chemo will start 4 weeks after surgery. Best wishes to everyone.xx

Excellent news that they will treat all of them aggressively! I hope all goes smoothly and your recovery is rapid and uneventful.

Thank you Boxhill for the good wishes. xxx

Karen, I hope your surgeries went well and were uneventful. I’m sorry you are having to do all of this during the Covid Crisis.

Update...liver resection was scheduled for May 25th. Three larger tumours to be removed and the other two would be microwave ablated. All didn't go to plan as none could be resected after all so were ablated instead. Healing well...ribs hurt more than wound. Scan in a week or so and when surgical site no longer needs packing and dressing by community nurse, chemo can start. Good to know that plans are in place. Take care everyone...comforting to visit this lovely group.xxxx