What are the symptoms of stage 4 colon cancer after surgery

[benson45]

My Dad is 87 years old and was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.  Surgery was done removing 1/2 to 2/3 of his colon.  Also has some cancer on his lung and liver, which wasn't treated.  It has been 6 weeks since his surgery and he has had trouble with diarrhea and has been given a low dose of morphine to bind up his stool some.  Started with pill form and now switched to liquid.  Since the liquid started he has been having severe pain on the inside of his rectum, which he describes as a severe burning sensation which comes and goes. Is this normal or could he have an infection?  He is in a nursing home at this time and they have been trying different meds to help, but isn't getting much relief.  Should we have him seen by a physician or is this a normal side affect?

[Frank Farrell, MD]

Hi there; I'm a new gastroenterologist to this forum and noticed that your question was not answered.

Firstly, I am sorry about your father's condition.  The rectal pain and diarrhea could be due to an infection.  The infection that I would be concerned about is with Clostridium difficile which is associated with recent antibiotic use and also commonly occurs amongst nursing home residents.  I think the rectal pain is unlikely to be related to the surgery as it was more than 6 weeks ago.  I would strongly urge you to contact your father's gastroenterologist or surgeon to discuss your father's condition.  Depending upon the type of surgery your father had, one can sometimes expect loose stools and/or an increase in the frequency of stools.  We sometimes use cholestyramine (a cholesterol lowering medication in powder form) to help solidify the stools.  I hope this is helpful.  Again, contact your father's gastroenterologist or surgeon to discuss his care.  

P.S. you and your siblings (if applicable) should get a screening colonoscopy in light of your heightened risk of developing colon cancer.

Best,

Frank Farrell, M.D.

[mammo]

Sorry to hear about your dad.  I would get his GI doctor involved to ease his pain, there is no reason for anyone in his condition to be in pain.  Do your know if his anus is raw from the diarrhea?  This usually happens and getting something that creates a barrier like vaseline or anything you would use on a baby's bottom would help greatly with this.  Your dad doesn't need to be going through this and it breaks my heart.  I also feel like he should never have had that surgery, it didn't accomplish anything since the cancer has spread.  At his age this type of surgery is very risky, enough is enough.  I know this breaks your heart, but find someone to control his pain.  I just lost my son to cancer in November and they controlled his pain totally which meant everything to me.  Don't give up on this, you have to advocate for your dad.  Ask the nursing home who is the doctor caring for him and ask to speak with him/her and find out why his pain is not controlled.  When my son was in the hospital his pain was not controlled nor was his vomiting. They told me he would go home like that???  It was an intern who stopped by and she told me to forget what the other doctor said, she was going to control my son's pain and vomiting.  Fifteen minutes later the nurses came in and whatever they gave him took his pain away and his vomiting.  I think this nursing home could and should be doing more for your father.  Get someone else involved for his pain control. I wish you all the best and big hugs....