Monday, November 28, 2011

Colon cancer question

Colon cancer question?
My grandad was diagnosed with colon cancer today. They say it has spread, and i have no idea if that means if it has spread to his organs or whatnot. I am still in the inital shock phase, it feels unreal. I don't know what to do. My parents are away and coming back soon, and i just don't know how to cope. I believe it is pretty advanced. I don't know. Just some postive words would be great..:)
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
I am sorry to hear about your Grandad. The best i can offer you is to be really supportive, lend an ear so to speak. I know if that was me i wouldn't want anyone fussing. Cancer can spread to anywhere, not only other organs but bone as well. Sounds pretty advanced. All you can do is be a friend. Best of luck to you.
2 :
Grandad has a cancer which will gradually and fairly soon block anything passing through his Bowell's the doctors have many strong pain contol methods so rest assured your grandad will not suffer too much pain.
3 :
What they mean when they say that it has spread is that some of the cancer cells have broken off from the original tumor and have traveled to other places in the body and have established themselves there as new tumors in new areas. In oncology, this is call metastasizing. I am truly sorry to hear about your grandfather but I hope that his prognosis is a good one. should things not be optimal, rest assured that the medical team will keep your grandfather as comfortable as possible being sure to minimize any pain that he may be in. I wish you and your family the best.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Metastatic colon cancer to liver- does anyone know growth rates if unresectable

Metastatic colon cancer to liver- does anyone know growth rates if unresectable?
I have liver cancer that may be inoperable and have read about new drugs which might shrink the tumor but I wonder what the growth rate might be if just left alone ie how much time do I have. Any ideas or general answers would help me get a feel for whether i need to spend big bucks trying to shrink but with no real chance of increasing survival rate or just leave alone
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
That would be almost impossible to estimate, since each case is individual and depends on many factors from diet, to stress, to lifestyle etc. Ask your specialist what the success rate is with the drug. The best thing you could do is try to live as stress free as you can, focus on seeing yourself as healthy and OK, and read up on what helped others in your situation get through it (ie. terminal cancer survivors etc.) Best wishes..
2 :
My mom had colon cancer with liver involvement. We opted for the chemo and were glad we did. I think there are new developements every day and if only a small chance of helping the situation, I think it is worth it. God Bless you and yours.
3 :
The first answer is right. The growth rate depends on several things, including how well differentiated your cancer cells are. The more poorly differentiated, the faster the cancer spreads, usually. In general, cancer in your liver seems to spread rapidly because the liver is a very vascular organ. However, chemotherapy can curb this. Listen, there are a couple different chemotherapy regimens for colon cancer with minimal side effects. Don't you think it's worth a shot? you only live once. If you hate it, you can quit

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Colon Cancer Results

Colon Cancer Results?
My father when in for test and was positive for Colon Cancer what happens next?
Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
He will be referred to a cancer specialist and probably a surgeon to see what the recommended treatment is. My brother was diagnosed at 36 and is now 4 years cancer free, after a liver resection because his was aggressive and had spread. He is doing great:) Colon cancer is very treatable if caught early. Best wishes to dad. Edit- He was diagnosed in mid December and I was in my Dr office 1st week of January demanding to have a colonoscopy done, and found out I had High Blood pressure, HMM cant imagine why. Anyway I had my first scope done in Feb and had my 5 year last Nov when I was facing gallbladder surgery. My thought was if something is wrong they can fix it all at one time, not multiple surgeries!. Make an appointment with your dr and get the test, the day before is the worst part. I would go every year if they would let me to avoid what my brother has been through.!
2 :
Thumbs up to Susan. She nailed the answer. Add my best wishes also.
3 :
Ny wife was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2001. From hearing that she had cancer until surgery was performed, it was almost 8 weeks. The first thing they DON:T do is rush you to the operating room. She was sent for blood tests, a cat scan, an ultrasound, a consultation with the chemotherapy doctor, a consultation with the radiology doctor, a consutation with her internist. Finally, surgery was scheduled. I'll be honest and will tell you she did have some complications, but right now, she;s doing just great! NOW, here's where his cancer concens you! Since my father had a history of colon cancer, my wife mentioned this to her surgeon, and her surgeon starts busting my tail to have a colonoscope, which I did., He found several polyps, which were pre-malignant. Because they were found early, he was able to remove them while he was in there, and no further treatment was needed. I am on his "mailing list "to have another one soon, but " see you in 2 years" sure beats being told, ": you need surgery" So, since your father has a history of it, I suggest you mention this to your doctor and hear what he recommends.Or, talk to his surgeon. Good luck to your dad.
4 :
I had colon cancer in October....I found out Friday and Wednesday (5days later) they removed 12 inches of my colon. That Friday they found out they did a colonoscopy, CT scan, xrays and ultra sound all in one day. I had a great team of dr's. I was only 46yrs old and had no symptoms. Saw a little blood in my stool, thought it was from blood thinner shots I was on for a blood clot. Went to the ER and they admitted me. Knowing I had cancer, I can't tell you what it did to me mentally. They were able to take it out and no further treatments, no chemo or radiations. It was stage 1. I did get genetic testing done to see if I have a mutated gene since cancer runs in my family, and it came back that my genes were normal. They said I was a sporadic cancer person, no real reason why I got it. My chances of getting it again would be the same as the general public. They also were able to do my surgery laperscopicly, which made healing a breeze. Good luck, be persistent that they don't make him wait for surgery.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Is it possible for a 13 year old to get colon cancer

Is it possible for a 13 year old to get colon cancer?

Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
yes.
2 :
Beyond unlikely. As with most types of cancer, the biggest risk factor is age. At least 84% of colon cancer cases occur in people aged 60 or over.
3 :
Yes
4 :
There are types of childhood cancers within the colon, but they are rare . . in general, if there is a history of colon cancer within the immediate family than children should be screened for the hereditary type of colon cancer. Otherwise in a normal 13 year old cancer is age specific . .which means that children of this age can still get cancer but it is not the common types such as colon, lung, or breast . . those are all cancers of older adults. Children and teens are far more likely to get leukemia, lymphoma, or sarcoma than cancers associated with carcinoma. Adults are far more likely to get carcinoma related cancers than childhood leukemia, lymphoma or sarcoma. So while it is possible for a 13 year old to get a type of colon cancer . . it would be very rare. National Cancer Institute: Colorectal cancers in children and adolescents http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/unusual-cancers-childhood/Patient/page4#Section_52

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Colon Cancer Prevention

Colon Cancer Prevention?
Hey im 15 years old and my dad recently had colon cancer. (About a year ago). I heard that it was genetic, so I'm freaking out. Is there anyway to prevent me, or even lessen my chance at getting it?
Cancer - 4 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Don't have anal sex. People get colon cancer all the time from anal sex. I don't know if your dad did, but it's possible at such a young age.
2 :
Firstly, most cases aren't genetic. At worst, you might have a slightly increased risk compared with people with no family history, unless your dad had a very unusual condition. Secondly, a lot depends on age and circumstances. See the wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_cancer#Risk_factors Depending on the nature of your dad's cancer and the age he got it, you may be a candidate for thngs like occult fecal blood screening (messy but non-invasive) when you're older. Discuss this with your dad's specialist. (You will need your dad's permission to do this because of privacy laws) John has a dirty ignorant mind. tell him to go **** himself. For the rest, common sense. Don't smoke; good mixed diet with plenty of fibre; exercise; alcohol only in moderation; discuss with your dad what his warning symptoms were so you'll know what to watch for. If you are sensitive to particular foods, avoid them very carefully. Does your dad have any food sensitivities? DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert and do not know your case. I am just passing on what is common knowledge. I do NOT think you should worry but I DO think you should discuss this with an expert.
3 :
The best thing you can do is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Don't smoke or drink, make sure you eat right, and eat enough fiber. Other than that, just make sure you follow your doctor's recommendations for proper screening when it's appropriate.
4 :
You donâ€™t need to discuss this with an expert. You are only 15 years old for goodness sake. You cannot get cancer from having sex. However, you can get HPV which increases your risk for anal/rectal cancers. It does not increase risk for the upper segments of the colon. Colon cancer is very rarely hereditary and there is no indication it maybe in your case. Having a first degree relative with colon cancer is a risk factor so you should start screening when you are 5-8 years younger than you dad is now. There is no way to prevent any type of cancer. The best you can do is eat a well balanced diet and do everything in moderation.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Colon cancer and the liver

Colon cancer and the liver...??
My aunt has colon cancer that was detected kind of late and it has spread to the liver. The liver can regenerate, so I just want to know why dont they cut out the bad part of the liver and let the rest regenerate? That might not be a smart thing to do since the cancerous cells have probably grown around the veins and bile duct tubes.. but i was just wondering. Do surgeons do this, or have they thought about doing it?? (I hate doctors sometimes, think they kind of wait around for you to die and refuse to do anything else). Her stomach has swollen alot! Is this common?
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
O.K... I see your point & I am sorry to hear about your aunt. Now I'm going to shoot straight & level with you. Once u have cancer which has spread to the liver, there is little hope. It's called metastasis. (or mets for short). The liver can regenerate, but only when young & healthy, even then, it's a hard task. When you have mets in the liver, it has spread through your system from what is known as a primary cancer (your aunts bowel tumor/cancer). Mets in the liver is a secondary (tumor/cancer). I'm really sorry, but In my trade we have a saying. "once it hits your liver, you're fucked".
2 :
A person can live very well only with half of his liver. So not removing the tumor from the liver is the problem. But tumor cells are already in the blood and, if they get to the liver, they probably are in many other organs (lymph nodes for instance). We don't see tumor cells without a microscope unless they are a few billions, so nobody can take off all the malignant cells. Cutting off a part of the liver is a very long and complicated intervention and people with cancer rarely survive it. So, only a few are candidates for a hepatectomy. But it's done and surgeons do it quite often. You are saying her stomach is swollen. If you mean she has a big belly now, a distended abdomen that's called ascities, accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. It's common in abdominal cancers and it means the disease is very advanced. I'm sorry to tell you all that. Good luck, Cristiana More about cancer on my blog: http://newcancerguide.com

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Friday, November 4, 2011

Colon Cancer symptoms, if any.

Colon Cancer symptoms, if any.?
I'm in my mid-50's and my mother died of colon cancer at age 73. My doctor has never indicated that it is necessary for me to have testing done besides the "strip" of paper test. I remember the doctors saying if my mother had done the testing earlier she could have survived. Do doctor's wait for patients to say they want one or are there symptoms they go by?
Cancer - 7 Answers
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1 :
I'm not really sure, but some American books I have read recommend a colonoscopy for healthy persons every 2 years. My friend is 21 and recently had surgery and chemotherapy to treat colon cancer, he and his -parents now have to have a colonoscopy every year to make sure they dont get it. I think that pushing your doctor for a colonoscopy would be a good idea. After all, colonoscopies are generally painless and the best way of detecting any signs of cancer. They can also remove polyps etc. I think it would be very worthwhile consulting your doctor about this. Good luck!
2 :
Colon cancer symptoms sometimes do not appear until the disease has progressed into an advanced stage. Bleeding - Blood in Stool: This is the most commonly experienced colon cancer symptom. As a tumor grows larger, the passage of feces can cause the tumor to bleed. it is common to see blood if the tumor is near the anus, but it is much more common for the blood to be hidden inside the stools. Weight Loss: An unexpected weight loss accompanied by other symptoms can indicate colon cancer. The pain and discomfort caused by a tumor can lead to loss of appetite, which in turn results in weight loss. Changes in Bowel Habits: If you are consistently constipated or have diarrhea, this must be evaluated by a physician. Changes in bowel habits also include gas and producing thinner stools. Thinner stools are usually the result of a tumor obstructing the passage of feces. This is one of the more common colon cancer symptoms. Abdominal Discomfort: Abdominal discomfort can mean many things - bloating, swelling, cramping and feeling full. Abdominal Pain: Swelling and pain of the abdomen are also symptoms of colon cancer. This usually occurs when the intestine is blocked by a tumor. If the tumor grows large, then nausea and vomiting can occur. Fatigue: Fatigue is a symptom of many cancers. It can also be a symptom of many other conditions that aren't cancer related. Fatigue experienced with cancer can be mild or severe. Talking to Your Doctor: Many people feel shy to talk about bowel habits with their doctor, especially women. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, I can't stress how important it is to talk to your doctor! Better to be safe than sorry!
3 :
My mom had colon cancer at 76. She had a tumour that was malignant. An operation was performed and the tumour was removed and biopsies showed no more signs of cancer. I requested that I have a Colonoscopy at the age of 54 due to cancers being on 2 generations of my family, and yet I have no ill symptoms. I have an appointment for a Colonoscopy next month. Colon Cancer symptoms one can have is bleeding from the rectum or severe pains. My mom never had any symptoms at all - it was accidentally found through ultrasound. Then a Coloscopy confirmed that it was 98% cancerous by the Specialist before biopsies were done. In most cases, doctors will not suggest that you have a Colonoscopy done. You have to request it based on your concerns.
4 :
help find a cure...............http://boinc.bakerlab.org/rosetta/
5 :
Best way to beat colon cancer is to prevent it. Strip of paper test is ok (they actually check for blood in yout shit, as that can be a sign of cancer) but the best thing is to get a colonoscopy done. It is generally recommened at age 50and then every 10 yrs
6 :
Actually, there are prevention guidelines for individuals with a family history, they are recommended by like American Cancer Society http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/health/colorectal_cancer_prevention.html
7 :
The link has info on family history, best test (colonoscopy), symptoms, and other info. Early stages usually have no symptoms. Waiting to detect blood could be waiting too long -- colo-rectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths. Don't wait. Insist on a colonoscopy by an experienced doctor. Good luck to you.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

What ahppends when colon polyps are removed and then tested postive for cancer

What ahppends when colon polyps are removed and then tested postive for cancer?
Does that mean that u have cancer or that u would have had cancer if they werent removed?????
Cancer - 7 Answers
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1 :
it means you have cancer. the cancer may be gone now that they were removed . you probably should have a checkup yearly now that you have this trate
2 :
My husband was told before surgery that colon cancer is hereditary and not the result of a bad diet. His father died from colon cancer. My husband had the colon thin (can't spell it) and they found polyups. They could remove all but one. Surgery led them to remove part of the colon and after a biopsy; the doctor told him that it had a good chance of turning into cancer and that they removed it before it had a chance to develop. He is fine. The surgery did not put him on a diet but he will continue having the colon thing for the rest of his life and hopefully there will be no more polyups.
3 :
It usually means that you have cancer. It doesn't really tell you how bad the Cancerr is. It really depends on the type of cance it is, on how it is treated. Don't freak out. Some people only have to have radiation, some Chemo and radiation, some sugary and radiation. some all three. Generally most colon cancer can be cured. If they say that you have cancer you must look at this as if you are now going to have to fight. I had breast cancer in 2005. I had to have both radiation and Chemo. I really expected to be a lot worst than it was. They have all sorts of new medicine that help you through this. I work all the way through all my treatment. Good luck and God Bless
4 :
It means you have Colon CA and will get some form of Colonectomy likely followed by Chemo, as determined of course by Md's. I know because I have had Colon CA twice, first in 1995 and in 2007. I now have no Colon, feel better than I ever have in terms of my GI system, and pretty much do as I please. I continued working as a Fire/Medic from '95 to '07. Like I told the last ? regarding Colon CA , you are going to laugh through the worst of this, and when it isn't funny, laugh at the fact that it isn't funny. You're going to be OK.
5 :
Every case is so individualized...so you will have to hear everything straight from your physician. There really isn't any way anyone can speculate at this point. But...as a general rule...the pathology report will give your doctor more information for him to interpret for you. The pathologist (the doctor who looks at the "polyp tissue" under the microscope) will identify whether the polyp has any malignant cells present...if so, ...to what level it may or may not extend. If positive, ...it might be very superficial, (all removed and contained with the polyp). If that is the case there might not be anything more than close monitoring required... future colonoscopies at scheduled intervals (based on findings). If there are indications that there is more involvement...a resection of that part of the colon might be advised. They have identified exactly where the polyp was removed. Sometimes they even go back in and tatoo near the area where the polyp was removed. There are natural landmarks identified and measurements during the procedure so they know where the polyp was taken from. Tatooing (mentioned earlier) helps the surgeon ...if a resection is advised ...or it might help with future colonoscopies to monitor that segment closely. Sometimes, depending on what is determined they could advise other options. There is no point in speculating ANYTHING until you sit down with the doctor so he/she can review the pathology report with you. Sometimes the report can take awhile for the doctor to get...but you should hear something in less than 10 days. In the mean time, you may be asked to get some other testing done as part of a workup. This waiting can seem like a long time. Hang in there...the "not knowing" can be a pain in the neck.
6 :
all type of cancer details go and visit the url
7 :
i had 3 pollyps removed about 2 weeks ago. pollyps CAN turn into cancer over time as they grow bigger and once they reach a certain size they can turn cancerous, if they remove them before this time and they test not cancerous then you don't have cancer. if they are removed and test as cancerous then yes u may have cancer because it may have spread from the pollyp onto your colon wall, hope this helps you.

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