Need for another opinion?

[minim4l]

I am a 25 year old male.

2 year ago I have my appendix removed, but the doctors seemed unsure as to why I had the infection.  They said my case was strange and after a colonoscopy after the surgery they said I had no need for concern.

Last summer I started experiencing pain in my upper right abdomen basically where my ribcage is.  I went to the doctor and they did a MRI, but they said there was nothing to worry about.  Recently, on the same side my back has started to hurt as well.  I don't know if this is related to it either, but on my right side near my hip joint I have been experiencing a burning type sensation.  One doctor said my bladder moved because of the operation and that is why I'm experiencing pain.

I haven't had another MRI since last summer, but I have had numerous x-rays.  A few doctors have told me that I have nothing to worry about, but the pain has been slowly increasing.  Would doctors be able to detect cancer with simple x-rays? If they cannot, what tests should I ask them to do to further rule it out?

How fast can cancer spread in a year?  What would I be experiencing if this was cancer?  

I am able to work out and lead a pretty normal life, but the pain is starting to affect me mentally as well.  The doctors basically tell me I have IBS, but I cannot believe that IBS would be this chronic.

[minim4l]

Thanks a bunch for your time!  

Take care.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
From your description, there is no specific reason to suspect bowel cancer.
Apparently, your ruptured appendix, and adjoining tissues (caecum, ascending colon, and terminal ileum) which were resected, showed some histopathological features of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease). Note that this is distince from IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndroms.
Please get an appointment with a gastroenterologist, who may like to perform a screening colonoscopy.
Good Luck!

[minim4l]

Thank you for your quick reply.

I am a 25 year old male, born in America and living in Japan.

I guess I'm thinking cancer due to a lot of things I've been reading online.  Since I am not medically trained I don't know what to think of the material I read.  To my knowledge no one in my family has been diagnosed with cancer at a young age, but I guess I'm thinking one cannot be too cautious.  I guess with the pains I am experience in the same places that are slowly getting stronger over the course of this last year... I can't make myself believe that there isn't something else inside there causing the discomfort.  The discomfort really doesn't get much better or worse with eating (though sometimes if I eat a very large meal it does feel a little better) which makes me believe that it isn't IBS.  

About my appendix.  The doctor said it didn't look like a normal case of appendicitis and they were suspicious of Chron's disease, but they never found any signs of it.  At the time of the removal my appendix had blown up, folded over itself and at the fold a abscess was starting to form.  From the post operation report they found no signs of cancer at the time either.  They did have to remove a portion of my small and large intestine as well as the area connecting the two (the name escapes my memory right now).

Thank you for your time, I appreciate your response.

[Kamal S Saini, MD, MRCP (UK), DM]

Hi,
Cancer in abdominal organs may often be missed by plain x-rays.
IBS is known to be a chronic disease.
Why do you suspect cancer? What is your age, sex, location, and family medical history? What was the exact histopathological report of the appendix?
If you can provide additional details, I will be better able to advise you.
All the best, and God Bless!