Monday, November 8, 2010

How can you tell if you have colon cancer? What causes it

How can you tell if you have colon cancer? What causes it?
Random question...I do not think I have it or anything, but I hear about it everywhere. So how do you know if you have it? What causes it? Are there any symptoms?
Cancer - 3 Answers
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1 :
You need to have a colonoscopy performed by a reputable physician.
2 :
The one true diagnostic procedure for cancer (usually any type of cancer) is to do a biopsy. Colonoscopy (a small camera on a scope that is fed through the anus and up the colon as far as possible) is done to look for cancer and to do biopsies. Some causes of colon cancer are: age, race, diet, irritable bowel diseases, alcohol, smoking, diabetes, environment, gender, genetics, history of polyps...
3 :
You can't tell if you have colon cancer. You have to have a colonoscopy which is when they insert a camera into you bowel through your bum. To have one, you have to be either over a certain age and hence are checked regularly, or because you may have symptoms or other bowel issues. I had some of the symptoms, which is what made me go to the doctor. However, the problem with colon cancer is that it doesn't show any symptoms until it is quite advanced. Symptoms are: - rectal bleeding - painful stomach cramps - constipation - diarrhoea - a feeling of having not emptied your bowels fully - fatigue There are many explanations for the causes of colon cancer but they include: - your age - your risk increases the older you are - your diet - a diet high in red meats and processed meat increases your risk - polyps - they are growths in the bowel which can turn cancerous - obesity - genetics - whilst it is a small percent, it does still happen (I was 20 when diagnosed) - bowel problems - e.g. IBS, chrons, ulcerative colitis But fortunately, colon cancer can be treated if caught early enough.

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Thursday, November 4, 2010

What is best Cancer Center for women having Cervical/Uterian Cancer after Colon Cancer

What is best Cancer Center for women having Cervical/Uterian Cancer after Colon Cancer?
My Sister had colon Cancer 20 years ago and is now trying to find the most experienced Cancer Treatment Center for what may be Uterian/Cervical or Endometrial Cancer. Where should we look for information?
Women's Health - 1 Answers
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1 :
If you are looking for websites I have listed a few below. If you are looking for treatment centers that all depends on were you live. If you live near NY I would recommend Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Best Wishes to you and your family.

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Monday, November 1, 2010

What do you mean in pathology of colon cancer findings, "all line of resection are free of tumor

What do you mean in pathology of colon cancer findings, "all line of resection are free of tumor?"?
Is it good prognosis? even if only 2 of 5 lymph nodes are invaded by cancer cells and pericolic fat are invaded.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
When we resect a tumor, we make sure that grossly or macroscopically we stay away from the tumor cells. We make sure that both proximally and distally the resected margins are not invaded or involved. For, if they are involved grossly, then the resection isn't complete resulting in positive margins which is not good. We expect a negative margin after a decent surgical exercise. The pathology report which comes there after will say that the lines of resection are free of tumour. If only it was involved it will not heal well resulting in a leaking or leaked anastomosis(meaning intestine-intestine stitching line). Resection margins free of tumour means it is a good surgery. The prognosis depends upon the tumour biology i.e., whether it is a well differentiated, moderately differentiated or poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. What is the NC ratio etc. Coming to the next half of your question, if only 2-5 nodes and pericolic fat are invaded what is the prognosis? Well, If the mesenteric lymph nodes are involved it is stage II. Modified Aster Coller Classification of Colonic tumors is as follows: Stage A: Only mucosa involved Stage B: Muscularis mucosa invloved Serosa not involved. Stage C: Serosa is involved breached. Stage D; Pericolic fat and Lymph nodal spread. Even though Mesocolic lymph nodes are involved, still the prognosis is quite good for Colonic Cancers unlike other cancers. They are generally slow growing. There is good chemotherapy like FOLFOX regime after surgery, which gives good results. There are higher chemotherapeutic regimes as well. It depends on your oncologist, which chemotherapy regimen he will choose for you. In FOLFOX there is no much hair loss also. Tolerated very well. However, If the treatment is taken to its logical end, Prognosis is really good in Colonic Cancers. Best of luck.
2 :
Your doctor should have gone over these results with you so you would know what it means and they should have also discussed prognosis as it pertains to your case specifically. I have never seen a pathology report written this way, but it means the margins are clear and if they were not it would not mean there would be leaking. Although having clear margins is good you cannot determine prognosis by it. A minimum of 12 nodes should have been sampled, but based on what you are stating this is a stage 3B with a 5 year survival rate of 56%.

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