Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.
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Subject: Re: COLON CANCER MOVED TO TISSUE HI, COULD SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEANS WHEN COLON CANCER MOVES TO THE SURROUNDING BACK TISSUE BEHIND THE BOWEL AFTER TUMOR WAS REMOVED A YEAR PRIOR. IF THE GROWTH IS DORMENT, AND DIDN'T SPREAD TO ANY ORGANS OR TO THE LYNPH NODES wHAT HAPPENS NEXT? wHAT IS THE PROGRESSION? hOW CAN THE PERSON BE MADE MOST CONFORTABLE? WHAT CAN BE DONE? WE NEED POSSIBLE ALTERNATES TO CHEMO OR RADIATION THESE TWO METHODS MADE PATIENT DANGEROUSLY ILL AND WON'T DO THOSE TREATMENTS AGAIN. YOUR ATTENTION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!! Dear Dorothy, Colon cancer is staged or classified based upon the depth of the lesion. If the tumor is confined to the inner lining up to the level called the muscularis mucosae it is called Duke's class A. If it penetrates deeper into the lining it is called Duke's class B. If it penetrates beyond the surrounding fat and into nearby lymph nodes it is called Duke's class C. If distant spread is present (liver, bone, lung etc.)it is called Duke's class D. It has been shown that survival can be as high as 99% in Duke's A lesions (with appropriate surgery). The primary treatment of colorectal cancer is surgical resection. Recent studies have shown that chemotherapy with fluorouracil and levamisole (or leucovorin) is associated with significant reduction in tumor recurrence and enhanced survival in patients with Duke's C colon cancer. This therapy also improves survival in patients with Duke's B colon cancer. There is no benefit to adjunctive radiation therapy for colon cancer outside the rectum. It sounds like you are describing a patient with an anastomotic recurrence. This refers to recurrent colon cancer in an area of previous colon cancer and surgical resection. Furthermore, it appears that the patient's cancer penetrates to the edge of the lining of the colon and possibly the surrounding fat. You did not mention any lymph node involvement. This would make the cancer a Duke's B cancer. Surgical resection with or without postoperative chemotherapy would be standard treatment. Colon cancer can spread via the bloodstream or nerves to distant sites (as mentioned above)if left alone. If the lesion grows it may cause colonic obstruction (blockage) or bleeding. You may also want to seek the opinion of an oncologist (cancer specialist)or be evaluated at a university center near where you live so that you can participate in any research studies that are being done in your area. This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health. If you would like to be seen at our institution please call 1-800-653-6568, our Referring Physicians Office and make an appointment to see Dr. Szilagy, one of our expert Colorectal Surgeons. HFHSM.D.-ym |
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