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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
40 yo husband just diagnosed w/colon ca
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
40 yo husband just diagnosed w/colon ca
by jfem, Aug 20, 2006 12:00AM
My husband was dx on 8/8 with an adenocarcinoma during his colonscopy.
The polyp measured 2X3.
He had a CT scan which showed 3 spots on his liver...2 of them were hemangiomas, and the 3 rd one was too small to identify.
It never mentions suspicious, or rule out mets, etc...MD said not likely cancer...
MRI a week later sayd bascially the same thing, except it says "likely a hemangioma"...
4 doctors and 2 radiologist said they do not think it's mets...
He has never had any sypmtoms, no blood, no change in stool, no pain, no fatigue, no color change of stool
He had a CBC for his routine exam in Jan and everything ( hgb, hct) all normal.
He exercises every day, lifts weights for 2 hours, has no change in appetite, etc...
He had pre-op blood work done and his CEA is 2.4, sed rate, CBC, chest x-ray...all normal.
I made him go for the colonscopy at 40 because his grandmother died of colon cancer at 71...his doctor thought I was crazy, saying 50, or at the earliest, 45 for him, but I insisted that he go.
I just wnated him checked out....what a shock when we found out.
My questions are:
1. he has surgery 8/23...how long to remove the polyp? ( it's right side, ascending colon)
2. will the surgeon ahve any idea what stage he is when he gets done or do we have to wait for the path report?
3. are the lack of symptoms, the blood work normal, the CEA normal and the highly unlikely that it has spread, good things, or does it not even matter? Is the chance the same that it's Stage 4 as well as Stage 1?
4. if it's Stage 4 does he have only months ot live??
SOrry for the questions that I know are difficult to answer.
I know you can't tell anything for sure, but if you can just give me your opinion.
We have 4 small children and this has devastated us beyond words.
I just can't bear the thought of the surgeon coming out on Wed telling me that it is lookin like Stage 4 and he has no chance of survival...
thank you
The polyp measured 2X3.
He had a CT scan which showed 3 spots on his liver...2 of them were hemangiomas, and the 3 rd one was too small to identify.
It never mentions suspicious, or rule out mets, etc...MD said not likely cancer...
MRI a week later sayd bascially the same thing, except it says "likely a hemangioma"...
4 doctors and 2 radiologist said they do not think it's mets...
He has never had any sypmtoms, no blood, no change in stool, no pain, no fatigue, no color change of stool
He had a CBC for his routine exam in Jan and everything ( hgb, hct) all normal.
He exercises every day, lifts weights for 2 hours, has no change in appetite, etc...
He had pre-op blood work done and his CEA is 2.4, sed rate, CBC, chest x-ray...all normal.
I made him go for the colonscopy at 40 because his grandmother died of colon cancer at 71...his doctor thought I was crazy, saying 50, or at the earliest, 45 for him, but I insisted that he go.
I just wnated him checked out....what a shock when we found out.
My questions are:
1. he has surgery 8/23...how long to remove the polyp? ( it's right side, ascending colon)
2. will the surgeon ahve any idea what stage he is when he gets done or do we have to wait for the path report?
3. are the lack of symptoms, the blood work normal, the CEA normal and the highly unlikely that it has spread, good things, or does it not even matter? Is the chance the same that it's Stage 4 as well as Stage 1?
4. if it's Stage 4 does he have only months ot live??
SOrry for the questions that I know are difficult to answer.
I know you can't tell anything for sure, but if you can just give me your opinion.
We have 4 small children and this has devastated us beyond words.
I just can't bear the thought of the surgeon coming out on Wed telling me that it is lookin like Stage 4 and he has no chance of survival...
thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Aug 21, 2006 12:00AM
, Aug 21, 2006 12:00AM
To answer your questions:
1) The time of surgery would depend on the location and size of the polyp. It would be in the range of a few hours if there are no complications.
2) Staging would be done at surgery, imaging studies would also have to be reviewed. A PET scan can be considered to help with staging and to investigate any evidence of spread.
3) The CT and MRI normally can determine the extent of any spread. A PET scan would be a more comprehensive test.
4) The 5-year survival rate of stage 4 colon cancer is 8 percent.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
1) The time of surgery would depend on the location and size of the polyp. It would be in the range of a few hours if there are no complications.
2) Staging would be done at surgery, imaging studies would also have to be reviewed. A PET scan can be considered to help with staging and to investigate any evidence of spread.
3) The CT and MRI normally can determine the extent of any spread. A PET scan would be a more comprehensive test.
4) The 5-year survival rate of stage 4 colon cancer is 8 percent.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
and be sure and register so you can ask questions ect. Go to the colorectal cancer discussion board when you scroll down on the page. You will fibnd alot of very kind caring people on the board that are more than willing to answer all you questions. And they are from stage 1 colon cancers to stage IV colons cancers. And several of the stage IV's are now cancer free and have been for years! so dont lose hope even by some chance he was given a stage IV diagnoses(even though i dont think he will) the only advice i can give is be strong and EDUCATE YOURSELF! Knowledge is the key! Much love to you!