Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Do you think they have came a long way with cure for colon cancer

Do you think they have came a long way with cure for colon cancer?
I was just wondering if anyone thinks they will have cures for colon cancer soon, i heard they can now tell by simple bloodtest if you have it or not.
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
As they learn more an more about the molecular biology of colon cancer they undoubtedly will have more and more effective treatments. But the most important thing will always be to detect it as early as possible, because surgery in that case will be the only treatment needed.
2 :
We have a cure for about 90% of all colon cancers now it’s colonoscopy. About 40% of the colon cancers I see are cured on colonoscopy. No surgery, no chemo, no radiation, nothing else. It cannot be diagnosed by a blood test.
3 :
1] cures run far behind detection rates - since cures are far more involved!! 2] colon cancer still #2 for cancer death rates, #3 for incidence 3] not by a bloodtest, no.





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Saturday, October 4, 2008

What are some symptoms of colon cancer

What are some symptoms of colon cancer?
i think my husband might have colon cancer. he complains that he feels like he has go to the bathroom but doesnt need to, throws up every night, tired/weak, stomach hurts alot and little blood in toilet. could that be what it is or something else?
Cancer - 17 Answers
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1 :
1. You're pooping more or less often. The presence of a tumor in your bowel throws things off. As your body tries to adjust to its presence, demands, and byproducts, you may experience changes in your bathroom habits. For example, let's say a tumor is slowly growing in your colon, inhibiting the flow of solid waste. You may or may not notice that you're defecating less often. But if the tumor gets large enough, it may become very difficult for your poop to get by it and you'll end up constipated. Sound like a crap shoot? (No pun intended.) The tumor may obstruct your bowel. You may notice a difference. You may get constipated. That's why, in general, it's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on symptoms to alert you to the presence of the cancer. 2. Your stool is thinner than usual. Imagine a three-lane tunnel full of cars, all driving through with a nice, steady flow. Now imagine that two big rigs decide to block the left lanes in tandem... then they slow to a stop. Both of them. Blocking both left lanes. What do the cars do? They start filing to the right so they can get around the obstruction. The same sort of thing happens in the bowel. Everything is flowing fine and dandy until a tumor starts to grow, causing an obstruction. As the obstruction gets bigger, the space around it gets smaller. So, as you might expect, tumors toward the "tunnel exit" tend to cause this effect of narrowed stool. 3. You have stomach cramping or bloating. Bloating may be the result of a bowel obstruction. Cramping may be caused by constipation or diarrhea. In more advanced stages of colorectal cancer, severe abdominal cramping may be caused by the tumor perforating (poking through) the bowel wall. 4. There's bright red blood in or on your poop. Tumors tend to bleed. Not a whole lot and not constantly, but they do bleed. As a result, some of that blood may be found in your stool. If the tumor is in the right colon, the blood will most likely be dried and virtually invisible by the time the poop leaves the body. However, if the tumor is in the rectum or toward the end of the left colon, it may still be fresh and therefore, bright red. 5. You've experienced unexplained weight loss. Many of us wouldn't want to question unexplained weight loss. We'd just be happy to be losing weight! But, even though the prospect of losing weight without even trying may seem a blessing, it really is something to question. It's the old "if it sounds too good to be true..." idea. See more at http://coloncancer.about.com/cs/thebasics/a/Top10CCSymptoms.htm
2 :
Get that azz to the doc asap!
3 :
i dont know..when you $hit..it hurts..i guess
4 :
Hmm, I'm not a doctor. You should probably go to the doctor, that's what I'd do. And maybe research a bit on the internet.
5 :
Tell him to go to the doctor.
6 :
Why has he not gone to see a doctor about this already?
7 :
I wouldn't worry about it until he finds out from a doctor for sure. I actually thought i had that once, but there are so many things that people can think they have because they are too freaked out to think rationally. It could be that he has the flu, maybe he has hemmroids, maybe something else. Good luck to you.. and you might need to have him see a doctor.
8 :
http://personalweb.sunset.net/~mansell/polyp.htm#What%20Are%20The%20Symptoms%20Of%20Colon%20Cancer?
9 :
It could be many things...divurticulitis, crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome...and, unfortunately, colon cancer. He needs to get to the doctor asap and have it checked out. If it's one of the more minor issues, then you'll have peace of mind and he can get some relief through treatment. If it's cancer, the sooner they find it and begin treatment the better chance he has for a complete recovery.
10 :
Honey..please don't mess around this place looking for an answer for this concern..get him to a doctor immediately.What he has could be symptons for anything...don't waste time.
11 :
Only a good doctor knows best - but you may find the info on the following page helpful. I hope he is ok!! :) Rj
12 :
Make a Dr appointment ...The symptoms of colon cancer vary from person to person, depending on how extensive the cancer has spread. You husband does have some symptoms..Instead of worrying please make an appointment and find out for sure..I do know that trouble passing stools is a sign of colon cancer but it can also be an indicator of many other health related issues
13 :
Colon cancer may be present without symptoms, particularly early in its course. The passage of bright red blood in the stool or a change in the frequency, consistency or thickness of stool are the most typical symptoms. Please refer to the following:
14 :
I have suffered for years with Crohn's disease which offers many of the same symptoms you are describing plus most often also causes the right eye to be very bloodshot on the inside corner. Ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, even appendicitis are some of the other conditions that have these symptoms. I recommend strongly that you encourage your husband to make an appointment tomorrow with a gastroenterologist who may end up doing a few tests and sending him to a rheumatologist. My symptoms are somewhat controlled now after 12 years but I still suffer. If he has fever, take him tonight to the emergency clinic just to make sure nothing is going to rupture as this is the most worry with some of the above conditions. There is now a digestive pill camera that can be swallowed to scan the digestive tract and find out what is going on. Maybe if he knows this he will feel more comfortable about testing that may need to be performed.
15 :
What ever it is, he needs to have medical attention ASAP! The symptoms you describe are seen in colon cancer but it could be something else. Copy this address and check it out. BUT...see a doctor soon; waiting makes treatment more difficult and reduces success. It's better to know the truth and treat it than to worry about what it might be. chttp://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw198266/zp2644;_ylt=AvRDn6ghIpBi0bNuPmImvL1Hg7MFancer
16 :
I can tell you this my boyfriend who at age 27 started noticing a little bit of blood in his stool, he didn't think much of it. As time went on, there was more and more blood in his stool. He finally went to the doctor and was diagnosed with colon cancer. He passed away in 2001 at age 32. Cancer is hereditary, his mother had it, his grandfather had it, and so did he. Have him go to the doctor, it's better to be safe then sorry. If my boyfriend would've went right when he started noticing blood in his stool, he would most likely be alive today.
17 :
change in color and form. your bowel habits also change






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Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Can anyone tell me what the prognosis is for someone who has stage II colon cancer

Can anyone tell me what the prognosis is for someone who has stage II colon cancer?
I'm sorry that I can't phrase that a little bit less harsh, but I have recently found out someone that I know has stage II colon cancer. He has had surgery and is in round 2 of a six month chemo treatment. Will my friend survive? For how long?
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
87% according to this
2 :
Long term outcomes vary tremendously from patient to patient. In addition to the stage at which cancer is caught, all of the following also drive outcome: * Growth rate of cancer (aggressiveness) * Patient's responsiveness to treatment * Patient's overall health, including conditions that may complicate cancer treatment Your friend will likely be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. According to the Merck Manual, "The 10‑yr survival rate for cancer limited to the mucosa approaches 90%; with extension through the bowel wall, 70 to 80%" Therefore, the long term outlook is fairly good, but clearly not risk free.
3 :
Hello C.B.: I am sorry your friend has cancer. But they found it early enough to treat it and have a full recovery. They already did the first step the surgery. And you said they already started the chemotherapy that is step two. While doing chemo your friend will need to laugh as much as possible. That is your job to help fight depression. Chemo is not easy but depression makes it worse. So Laugh every day. If the oncologist feels radiation is needed your friend will need to laugh just as much. And listen to there complaints about how bad they feel than get them laughing it will make them feel better. I recommend a joke book or on line jokes. A few of the people in the bc support group I e mail frequently jokes. I want them to make it. and Laughter fights depression better than medication. By being a good friend and listening and laughing together this is the best thing you can do for a friend.
4 :
Most cancers are measured in survival 5-year survival rates. This is the percentage of people alive 5 years after being diagnosed with the same kind and stage of cancer. Stage 2A colon cancers have a 5-year survival rate of 80% and 2B has a 75% survival rate. Long term survival depends on how well they respond to treatment. If is not uncommon for some cancers such as breast cancer or melanoma to recur 10-15 years later. This is not the case with colon cancers when they recur it is usually within 2-4 years.
5 :
he chance of survival or surviving for an extended number of years when one has colon cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) is generally good if the condition is detected early. Some people however who are already in higher cancer stages may actually still have some reason to be hopeful. The right treatment is really the key to a good colon cancer prognosis. Stages Colon cancer prognosis is often dependent on the stage in which the patient is in. Untreated and advanced cancer may lead to only a 20% chance of surviving for five years after diagnosis. Some however may actually have a 90% chance of surviving after diagnosis if the cancer is treated early. This is only quite natural. The worse one's condition and spread of cancer cells are, the least likely will treatment be effective and encompassing. Given below are the different stages of colon cancer and possible survival chances. Stage 0 Others also know this stage as the initial stage. At this point, the cancer cells may restrict themselves to the rectum lining. Some cells may also already be found in the first part lining of the colon. One of the most common ways to treat this stage is through a surgical method. Some patients may actually need no other treatment than surgery. People who are at this stage have the highest rate of survival. Stage 1 At this stage, the cancer cells may already be found deeper in the colon. There is however no movement or metastasis to other external tissues and organs. The cancer cells are therefore still restricted within the colon. Those who are at this stage may have to undergo a procedure known as resection. They may not yet be required to undergo other supplementary cancer treatments and procedures. Survival rate is still good at this stage. Stage 2 Stage 2 is when other tissues other than those found in the colon are affected. This may already be some sort of a close call for some patients because of the movement of cancer cells. There is still great reason to be hopeful though since the cells have not yet moved into the lymph system which is a crucial system through which cancer cells metastasize. Surgery may still be a preferred mode of treatment. Depending on the patient's condition and risk factor as determined by a specialist doctor, other common cancer treatments may be employed simultaneously. These involve radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Stage 3 This is already considered an advanced stage since the lymphatic system is already affected by cancer cells. All three common cancer treatment options may be used to fight the spread of the cells. Patients at this stage have a lower colon cancer prognosis than those in stages 1 and 2. Stage 4 This is the final and most severe stage. The condition can no longer be removed completely despite treatment. Cancerous cells may have already spread through the lymphatic system to other organs in the body such as the lungs and liver. Of course, treatment will still be employed but patients may only have a survival rate of around 20%. The stage that the cancer has reached will ultimately have an influence on any colon cancer prognosis. Since the cancer can be arrested at its early stages, it is important to seek to prevent the condition. Those who are at risk of colon cancer and those who are 50 years old and above should always have scheduled screenings.






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