Thursday, May 20, 2010

What is the likeliness of someone surviving from colon cancer

What is the likeliness of someone surviving from colon cancer?
i dont have it, but my friend online does. i didnt want to ask her too much about it, ya know?
Cancer - 5 Answers
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1 :
If it is caught in the early stages, your chances are very good.
2 :
It depends on what stage the cancer was in at the time of diagnosis. For more information, you can check out the following website: http://www.coloncancerfoundation.org/aboutcoloncancer.htm#stages
3 :
I don't know the exact likliness, but let me tell you this: My Mom's friend had Colon cancer - and she's 100% clean now.
4 :
it really depends on the stage, the kind of tumor and also the overall health status of the patient. surgeries + chemotherapy may enhance the chances of survival. so it's difficult to tell you any figures here, sry.
5 :
My dad had it but it was detected in it's early stages. They removed the cancerous cells and he is very much alive and kicking. Hopefully it hasn't spread too severely in your friends case.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

What does the cancer number mean? My dad has had colon cancer for a few yrs & it has spread to his lungs

What does the cancer number mean? My dad has had colon cancer for a few yrs & it has spread to his lungs.?
My mom keeps referring to cancer numbers but won't go into details. First it was like 2, 5, 11 and now she said it went up to 750 and now 1100. I don't understand what those numbers mean. If anyone knows for sure....please state source, I really need to know and have tried to research and haven't found anything.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
Since you don't know which tests your mother is referring to it is hard to say for certain what these numbers mean. I have included a site that lists different tests used to detect cancer. I hope this helps.
2 :
There are many "cancer numbers" for the hundreds of types of cancers that we humans develop. There are numerous blood tests available to follow colon adenocarcinomas - if that is the histologic type of your dad's malignancy. We do not have this information here. http://www.tc-cancer.com/tumormarkers.html Probably the "CEA" blood test - Carcinoembryonic antigen . It would sure help if you knew which test. If this is the CEA, the numbers would indicate significant growth of the stage IV colon adenocarcinoma with pulmonary metastases. Stage IV adenocarcinoma of the colon cannot be cured, so this would not be a good sign. Is he receiving chemotherapy? Of course the medical oncologist treating your dad would know much more about this than any of us over the internet. It is best to go with your family member when there are visits to the medical oncologist who has all of the information which we do not have here. We cannot see the x-rays or CT scans of the lungs. We don't know exactly which test you are asking about. In short, we have to guess with inadequate information. The oncologist who is seeing your dad on a regular basis must be - or should be - explaining all of this at each office visit. That is part of the job he or she is being paid to do. Note that these "numbers" never tell us the future. There is no way to know how long someone with a malignancy has to live by any blood test numbers. The key to these "numbers" is the trend - AND - the clinical observation of how the person is functioning. Your dad's oncologist knows all of this. To know what is going on, you need to be there. I drove 1200 miles to be there when my mom saw her urologist for discussion of her bladder carcinoma. Maybe you are a great distance away and cannot travel. It is very dificult to get first hand information long distance.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Are there any colon cancer survivors here

Are there any colon cancer survivors here?
Well my 32 year old brother-in-law just got diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer ; / and I'm just completely depressed... My sister just married him about four years ago and they have a one year old daughter and a 2 year old son. They just took out a 600k loan to buy a commercial property so financially they are in a difficult situation as well. It just breaks my heart knowing that there's such a high chance they will never see their father when they are older and that my bro-in-law mightn't see his children grow up...... Also, if anyone has tried effective alternative treatments besides just the conventional methods please inform me if you can and your recovery stories would be nice as well. Thanks guys.
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
I have colorectal problems and the word cancer comes up although I've never been diagnosed with it yet. It's caused me to do some research. Colon cancer can be removed and a person can live with a colostomy. Not all, but many. I've also heard recently that cancer can be cured by breast milk. Look for a breast milk bank. I'm not kidding. I'm not trying to be gross or perverse. It fixes the immune system in such a way that it fights it. But he needs to have the diseased parts removed and just use breast milk and other alternative treatments to build the immune system to hopefully right what's left. I also read something about seaweed. Dont' give up. That's the worst thing that can be done. Be sure to be proactive and supportive and allow both hope and talk for cures and treatments and the future AND talk of closure and wills and resolution. He will have to deal with both possibilities. Remember we all die. Unfortunately. It drives me crazy. But we all die. If he does die at least he knows it's coming and can make a few preparations he normally wouldn't have thought of until much later. And everyone has a chance to tell him they love him and what his life has meant to them.
2 :
There are survivors for every type of cancer and at every stage of cancer. Your brother in law needs to locate an oncologist who he can trust and who specializes in this type of disease. He needs someone who will not discourage him. He needs a positive attitude, courage, and determination. He needs everyone on his side as he fights this battle. He needs all the information that he can handle . . not outdated information. Cancer research is ongoing, papers and new treatments come out monthly . . what may have been true about a disease last year may be totally different today. Be extremely careful about what you read concerning 'statistics' as they do not apply to individuals. Here are a few places to start the research process: Colon Cancer Alliance http://www.ccalliance.org Colon Cancer Discussion List http://listserv.acor.org/archives/colon.html NCCN: Colon and Rectal Cancer Clinical Guidelines http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_colon/1_introduction.asp Treatment guidelines for patients http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/pdf/NCCN%20Colorectal%20Guidelines.pdf American Cancer Society:Colon Cancer Survivor Proves Doctors Wrong http://www.cancer.org/docroot/FPS/content/FPS_1_Colon_Cancer_Survivor_Proves_Doctors_Wrong.asp Remember, do not listen to the 'terminators', there is ALWAYS hope.

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