Colorectal Cancer: Have had a resection of the colon and in the chemo treatment of the stage IV colon cancer. What happens next.

Have had a resection of the colon and in the chemo treatment of the stage IV colon cancer. What happens next.?

Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
Arthur k, Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for stage IV colon cancer. You indicate that you are in the chemo stage of treatment. I am not able to discuss this very fully as you have given no indication what you are taking. But the side effects of chemotherapy depend upon the drugs that are administered and how they are given. Following treatment, you should have regular blood tests to measure carcinoembryonic antigen, (CEA; a substance in the blood that may be increased when colon cancer is present), which may be done along with other tests to see if the cancer has come back. Your prognosis generally depends on the stage of your colon cancer at the time that it is removed. Colon cancer that is identified and treated early has the best prognosis. With stage IV colon cancer, 8 percent of patients are known to survive for five years or longer. Other factors that affect prognosis include tumour location, type of the cancer cells, and the patterns of molecular or genetic abnormalities that cause the cancer. However, none of these is used routinely to predict outcome after treatment. ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. - MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED. It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms. The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. I add a link containing details, some of which you are already aware of, and having internal links to more information. Hope this helps matador 89
2 :
I'm getting ready for chemo (FOLFOX) for stage III, and I'm also participating in a clinical study to see if adding cetuxitrab (used for higher stages) helps prevent it from returning in lower stages, too. FOLFOX (5FU + Oxaliplatin + leucovorin) is given biweekly for 12 treatments, and the cetuxitrab is given weekly. You were probably given a blood test to see if levels of a certain chemical were in your bloodstream. If that chemical was present, they can check it occasionally to see if it becomes elevated, which means the cancer may have returned. You will get colonoscopies more frequently (6 months after treatment, then every year after that. Once you've made it 3 years, chances are especially good that it won't return, and after 5 years, you're considered cured. We're planning on partying on the 3 year anniversary--you should too. Colon cancer is one of the most survivable types of cancer, and many people I've talked to know many people who have had it (even Stage IV) who've been cured. Fight the good fight.
3 :
Honestly, there is no way anyone can give you a decent reason, because all humans and their reactions to drugs are different. The best thing is to get answers from your oncologist.. Also, go to cancer.org, and curetoday.com. And anytime you don't understand what some sort of medical jargon means, ASK your doctors, even if it makes you feel embarrassed. Thats what i did.

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Have had a resection of the colon and in the chemo treatment of the stage IV colon cancer. What happens next.