Postby jmn » Sun Aug 04, 2019 8:28 am
Beckster wrote:The only thing that I can suggest is getting a second pathology on your tumor. Was your pathology done at a Designated Cancer Center
https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers? These centers are usually at major cancer centers. I would seriously consider getting a second opinion. You can always request one. The reason being is that Grade, LVI, and PNI is subjective. Having a second set of eyes would be beneficial. I know people, Stage II, that had a second pathology done on their tumor and the results changed, especially with grade and LVI. By doing these two things, you would have a piece of mind. I did not have a second pathology, butt it was done at a major cancer center. It would give me more information needed for recurrence.
Can’t agree more—get a second pathology on your tumor.
Like Beckster, I was diagnosed with Stage IIA colon cancer of the cecum following a successful resection. Based on the pathology report, my oncologist recommended surveillance and no further treatment. However, I decided to get a second opinion at Memorial Sloan Kettering—and I am so happy I did! Their pathologists identified several high-risk features, including LVI and PNI. Given my new Stage IIB diagnosis and the recommendation of my MSK oncologist, I took Xeloda (capecitabine) for six months. The good news is that I finished chemo in April, had my NED status confirmed in May, and had a clear colonoscopy three weeks ago.
I’ll never really know whether chemo will prevent a recurrence in the future, but I have peace of mind knowing that I am doing everything possible to keep the cancer from coming back.
All the best to you as you confirm your diagnosis, consider the risks and benefits of treatment options, and choose a treatment plan that you believe is best for you. PM me if I can be helpful in any way.
DX: CC, 7-9-18 @ age 61, male
Severe anemia (4.5 g/dl), 5-11-18; colonoscopy, 6-29-18
Lap-assisted right hemicolectomy, 7-16-18
G2, cecal adenocarcinoma, 4.2 x 3.7 x 0.7 cm
Stage IIB, pT4aN0 (first pathology DX: pT3N0)
0/24 lymph nodes, LVI present, PNI present, surgical margins clear, MSS
CEA: 3.0 (pre-op, 7-10-18); 0.7 (post-op, 8-8-18)
TX: Xeloda (capecitabine), 10-16-18 to 4-21-19
5 years of clear scans and colonoscopies
Released from MSK surveillance, 7-20-23 - NED