Friday, November 28, 2008

Is liver metastases from colon cancer an automatic death sentence

Is liver metastases from colon cancer an automatic death sentence?
Father has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and it has metastasized to liver. Extremely worried about him. Anyone know someone or is going through anything similar that can give some hope?
Cancer - 8 Answers
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1 :
I really don't want to answer this. Go to WebMD or just do a Google search to get your answer.
2 :
Your in my prayers. Go to mayoclinic.com and find out every thing you need to know.
3 :
Almost all patients are treated with chemotherapy. Surgery in selected patients to remove the tumor from the Liver. This is indicated when the primary site of the disease is under control and the extent of the disease in the liver is very limited. Response to treatment depends on the patient's overall condition and the type and extent of the underlying cancer.
4 :
It is not necessarily a death sentance, no. Not at all :-) I have a friend who has fought liver cancer that has mets to other parts of her body, and she's alive, well, and cancer-free for 3 years now! The cool thing about the liver is that it has the ability to regrow itself. I don't know how progressed the liver CA is, but, if they caught it in time, they may just take the cancerous part of his liver out, and let that part just grow back healthy. They may also do some radiation therapy to make sure it doesn't come back. Colon cancer, also, is not a death sentence. If you get a good, thourough surgeon, usually they can take out the cancerous part. Again, they may do some radiation or chemotherapy to make sure it doesn't come back. Unless he's had cancer for years and not known it, I wouldn't worry too much about him. It'll be a rough road getting better, but odds are that he will get better.
5 :
The prognosis depends on the number and size of metastases to the liver, the original tumor's status, timing of the diagnosis of the original tumor and the metastatic disease. The range is from curable to incurable. Your father can authorize his doctor(s) to talk with you about his true prognosis to give you a better understanding. If you live near him, have a family appointment with his doctor - if your dad is OK with that. The doctor's duty is to help his patient through this and that often routinely includes helping the people who love him. Best wishes to you and your father.
6 :
Metastasis of colon cancer is never good. It is treatable, but not curable. However, colon cancer can go to the brain, which has a very poor prognosis and shorter life span than that which went to the liver. You or his doctor may want to discuss end of life treatment. Symptomatic treatment (making your dad comfortable), agressive therapy is a very important topic. I am sorry I cannot offer any better news. My prayers are with you.
7 :
Hi! I don't really know a lot about cancer and please don't put all your hopes in it: But isn't there a new drug for intestinal cancer? Sutent? Don't know about the liver though. Sorry. Good luck!
8 :
Honestly, its better you consult a specialist. I really want to help but I don't think I can give better answers than specialist do. Sorry. good luck Love is omnipresence, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

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Monday, November 24, 2008

Husband just diagnosed with colon cancer metastatic to liver what is life expectancy with treatment

Husband just diagnosed with colon cancer metastatic to liver what is life expectancy with treatment?
has had surgery to remove the colon cancer His colon cancer is Stage IV , he hasn't had any chemo treatments yet, we are to see his the cancer dr. soon. Yes, we are right with God, very active with our church family. I just wanted to know what others may can tell me that have been thru this before. Know nothing about chemo. He has a large mass in right lobe of liver and several smaller ones in the left lobe.
Cancer - 4 Answers
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1 :
No two cancer cases are the same, you really need to speak with your Oncologist and get several opinions. Metastasis to the liver means the Cancer has spread to the liver. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/metastatic http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~uySy4hv7M03My What stage is the Cancer at? If the Metastasis in the liver can be removed, his cancer can be cured or go into remission. And he can live a long healthy live after-wards. However, the cancer doesn't always stay in remission. Has he had Chemotherapy? If so how many rounds and how long was it? My brothers sister-in-law had colon cancer she was diagnosed around fall of 2004 and found it during testing when she had her gallbladder removed, she had her colon removed and was in chemo for 8 months. At the time I thought that was rather short. They declared her cancer free in July of 2006 and told her it was in remission. A few months later she wasn't feeling well and they told her she was fine, she didn't believe her oncologist so she went to the University of Michigan cancer center where she was sent for some of her treatments in the past. They ran various tests on her and found out her cancer never went into remission and had either spread rapidly or she had a new cancer and there was nothing they could do, she died in January of 2007 at 26 with 2 small children. So from the time she was diagnosed until she died was around 2 & 1/2 years. However, as I mentioned no 2 cancer cases are the same. She had a poor outcome I believe because she had poor treatment and/or care, that doesn't mean your husband will or that he will die from colon cancer. Edit: Here is a link to some info on Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Unfortunately at stage 4 it is too widespread usually for surgery to help him usually because there are too many Metastasis or they are too large. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectumCancer/DetailedGuide/colorectal-cancer-treating-by-stage-colon For advanced cancers, radiation therapy may also be used to help prevent or relieve symptoms such as pain. While it may shrink tumors for a time, it is very unlikely to result in a cure. If your doctor recommends radiation therapy, it is important that you understand the goal of treatment You may want to also check out some cancer support groups, from http://www.cancer.org both for your husband and yourself (and your kids if you have any - even if they are grown). Your friends and family who have not been touched or effected by Cancer will be sympathetc however they wont know what to say or if they should say anything at all to you. The support groups are people with cancer and there are support groups specifically for caregivers/spouses/children of cancer patients and victims. These people willhave similar experiences to you and can likely help you better.
2 :
There are a few drugs available to treat liver cancer. But they come with side effects as the drugs affect the protein, RNA. It is best to discuss with the oncologist. The prognosis, IMHO, does not seem too good. Do you and your husband want to get right with God? God can heal your husband. Jesus is still a healer today. Get in touch with a UPC church. (United Pentecostal) The pastors there can pray for your husband. God wants to give you peace.
3 :
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewforum.php?f=1 Please visit this forum; it has many wonderful people on it currently fighting and in remission from colon cancer or colon-rectal cancer. There are Stage IV survivors and fighters that post as well and they are all a very informative group of people.
4 :
I am so sorry your husband is going through this and for you. Chemo for CC iis not easy but he can do it. I will pray for you! Please go to the colonclub.com Here you will find inspiring conversation and stories about stage 4 survivors. If you click on the current and past calendars you will find great info. Good Luck!

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

How do you know if it's hemmoroids or colon cancer? Need advice please

How do you know if it's hemmoroids or colon cancer? Need advice please?
My husband says he thinks he has hemorrhoids. They come and go...sometimes they will be around for a couple of days and then they will go away for a couple of months (he takes preparation H to make it better). Here is my question: How do you know when it's really hemorrhoids or colon cancer? Thanks!
Cancer - 2 Answers
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1 :
By having your health care provider examine you and arrange appropriate testing for you.
2 :
According to others, it's probably hemorrhoids but could be symptoms of colitis, colorectal cancer, and other serious conditions.

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