surprised stage 4 colon cancer

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Tswe
Tswe Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My wife had a second colonospy about 4 years ago which was clean again. She went for her yearly check up last year. Found hemoglobin low, went for colonospy and told stage 4. How could this happen in just 4 years after her first colonospiesa were clean.
Anyone have a similar situation. What's the prognosis?
We're frantic now!

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  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #2
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    Sorry to hear about your wife. It does seem unusual. There was a recent article describing cancer developing in flat spots rather than just in polyps as commonly believed. I had rectal cancer and have never had a polyp. Be aware that there are a number of Stage 4 cancer survivors on this board and I am sure you will hear from them. Where in the colon is the primary located and how large is it? The treatment will depend upon that and where it has spread to. There are survivors here who have had spread to their liver and lungs who have been able to have surgery to remove those spots. The statistics you read are old and each person is different. The outlook is better than numbers you will read. Besides some type of surgery, chemo will be recommended and possibly radiation as well. One source to check regarding the possible treatment and to learn more is from the website of the National Cancer Institue (www.cancer.gov). Be sure also to get more than one opinion. The hardest part is now when you don't know what the plan is. Getting the diagnosis of cancer, especially with spread, is frightening but you will find alot of support here and, believe, there is hope.

    We will include you in our prayers as well. ****
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #3
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    I'm sorry about the diagnosis. **** is right. Everyone is different, and don't listen to statistics--there are many stage 4 survivors on this site. One thing you may want to have done is genetic testing. If your wife is carrying a deleterious gene (as my family does) there don't have to be polyps to have a cancer start. This gene causes colon, uterine, stomach, kidney, bladder and some brain cancers, so it would be a good thing to have it checked out. The condition is called HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer). These days if it is known that one has HNPCC, it is common to have a prophylactic hysterectomy at the time of the colon surgery, because odds are that it will happen. So I do recommend genetic testing. Aggressive is better than conservative when dealing with this.
    Again, while it is normal to be frantic, don't listen to statistics. Do what you have to do and survive! You are both in my prayers.
  • claud1951
    claud1951 Member Posts: 424 Member
    #4
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    ****
    I'm sorry to hear about your wife.
    I had a colonoscopy 2 or 3 years prior to me being diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer (I too, had low iron, anemic). That early colonoscopy was "okay". Hmmmm.
    I agree with **** about the "flat spots". I think that was what mine was.

    That diagnoses was about 1 1/2 years ago. After surgery (to remove 12" of colon and 6 months of chemo) there is No Evidence of Disease!

    I not certain where your wife is in the process but there are a lot of people that beat this "beast"!

    Keeping a good attitude is one a great fighting tool and also keeping her energy for moving forward and not looking back.

    You finding this web site is a great tool, as well. There are great people here to tell you and your wife what they expereinced and to help in any way they can.

    Lets us know how she is and what you have done so far.

    Claudia
  • jams67
    jams67 Member Posts: 925 Member
    #5
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    vinny3 said:

    Sorry to hear about your wife. It does seem unusual. There was a recent article describing cancer developing in flat spots rather than just in polyps as commonly believed. I had rectal cancer and have never had a polyp. Be aware that there are a number of Stage 4 cancer survivors on this board and I am sure you will hear from them. Where in the colon is the primary located and how large is it? The treatment will depend upon that and where it has spread to. There are survivors here who have had spread to their liver and lungs who have been able to have surgery to remove those spots. The statistics you read are old and each person is different. The outlook is better than numbers you will read. Besides some type of surgery, chemo will be recommended and possibly radiation as well. One source to check regarding the possible treatment and to learn more is from the website of the National Cancer Institue (www.cancer.gov). Be sure also to get more than one opinion. The hardest part is now when you don't know what the plan is. Getting the diagnosis of cancer, especially with spread, is frightening but you will find alot of support here and, believe, there is hope.

    We will include you in our prayers as well. ****

    I'll just add to ****'s post that I had one of the flat polyps, and the doc said it had probably been there for about 2 to 3 years. It had already spread to nodes and liver. That was 2 1/2 years ago and I have had no reoccurance. I had surgery and then chemo. I hope your wife will get a second opinion as to what she should do now. That was very important! If you let people on this board know where you live, you may be able to get some suggestions about doctors in your area.
    Jo Ann
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
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    I'm sending strong vibes to you both. Actually, my sister had a clean scope 2 years before her diagnosis. Colon cancer is usually slow, but RECTAL cancer can spread differently. I know, sounds like I'm picking nits, but it truly is different.

    As **** said, take a breath. Get a second opinion, ask questions...pick a treatment plan that you all are comfortable with. My friend's stage 4 scheduled chemo first, then surgery. This helped reduce the amount to remove. Another, tho, had surgery first, and then followup chemo. Her tumor was blocking, so it had to be removed.
    Make sure to go with your wife to the appointments, or send someone with her...and take notes...'you have cancer' seems to affect the ability to comprehend. There are many excellent cancer centers in the country...and treatment techniques vary...I had stage III, chemo/rads before surgery, then surgery, and that was it.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #7
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    I am sorry to hear of your wife's diagnosis. I too agree with ****. I also had the flat polyps and I had been going for yearly checkups. I had not had a colonoscopy because I was symptom free and only 46 at the time. Mine was found though elevated LFTs. I have/had (?) stage IV with liver and lung mets. After surgery my liver is good but still dealing with lung mets. There are many courses of treament so that works in our favor. I also agree with the second opinion and with to shy away from reading or believing the stats. They are not accurate and they'll drive you nuts. Everyone here is very supportive and full of information. You're in my thoughts.
    -phil
  • Tswe
    Tswe Member Posts: 6
    #8
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    Thank you all so very much for your replies.I've been living at the mercy of the Sloan Kettering Oncologist who keeps telling my wife that stage 4 colon cancer average life expectancy is 2 1/2 years and at best not much more.
    My wife was diagnosed after laproscopic right colon resection (PET & CAT scans) in June 2007 with tumors on the liver, several nodes, lungs and some on the chest wall. When I asked about surgical or radiation interventions the oncologist stated it wasn't possible. My wife is forlorn, barely eating & drinking. She suffers greatly with loss of appetite, lethargy, and no taste or even motivation to eat. She's already been to the local ER here in suburban Essex county, N.J. for dehydration.
    Her last CAT scan in January 2008 indicates stable small residual lung nodes, bilobar hepatic metastases minimally decreased in size. This is the result of a second CAT scan. Earlier scans were done at the beginning of treatment in July 2008.
    Her Chemo treatment started in July consisted of twice monthly: Oxaliplatin (Stopped Dec. 15, 2007) Leucovorin, Fluorowacil,Bevacizumab and Fluorouracil bottle for two days.
    Oncologist stated in middle of this month that she needs a 6 week break as she is to week. We're not seeing great recuperation regarding weakness, taste or appetite.
    Does anyone have suggestions of other interventions that might have better outcomes or suggestions of other cancer centers nearby that might be more innovative or cutting edge. My feeling is that with stage 4 colon cancer they sort of give you the standard treatment with no hope attached. What a way to help patients fight this! By the way my wife will be 62 soon.
    Thank's for your support so far.
  • StacyGleaso
    StacyGleaso Member Posts: 1,233 Member
    #9
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    Tswe said:

    Thank you all so very much for your replies.I've been living at the mercy of the Sloan Kettering Oncologist who keeps telling my wife that stage 4 colon cancer average life expectancy is 2 1/2 years and at best not much more.
    My wife was diagnosed after laproscopic right colon resection (PET & CAT scans) in June 2007 with tumors on the liver, several nodes, lungs and some on the chest wall. When I asked about surgical or radiation interventions the oncologist stated it wasn't possible. My wife is forlorn, barely eating & drinking. She suffers greatly with loss of appetite, lethargy, and no taste or even motivation to eat. She's already been to the local ER here in suburban Essex county, N.J. for dehydration.
    Her last CAT scan in January 2008 indicates stable small residual lung nodes, bilobar hepatic metastases minimally decreased in size. This is the result of a second CAT scan. Earlier scans were done at the beginning of treatment in July 2008.
    Her Chemo treatment started in July consisted of twice monthly: Oxaliplatin (Stopped Dec. 15, 2007) Leucovorin, Fluorowacil,Bevacizumab and Fluorouracil bottle for two days.
    Oncologist stated in middle of this month that she needs a 6 week break as she is to week. We're not seeing great recuperation regarding weakness, taste or appetite.
    Does anyone have suggestions of other interventions that might have better outcomes or suggestions of other cancer centers nearby that might be more innovative or cutting edge. My feeling is that with stage 4 colon cancer they sort of give you the standard treatment with no hope attached. What a way to help patients fight this! By the way my wife will be 62 soon.
    Thank's for your support so far.

    I was stage 4............OVER SIX YEARS AGO!!!! Have hope and faith (and great doctors) that this obstacle can be overcome. I cannot stand when doctors are giving a prognosis.....if they are THAT good, have them toss in a few winning lottery numbers along the way. I have preached that from my first post on this site, many years ago. As long as she is still here, there is still hope.

    Hugs,

    Stacy
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
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    StacyGleaso said:

    I was stage 4............OVER SIX YEARS AGO!!!! Have hope and faith (and great doctors) that this obstacle can be overcome. I cannot stand when doctors are giving a prognosis.....if they are THAT good, have them toss in a few winning lottery numbers along the way. I have preached that from my first post on this site, many years ago. As long as she is still here, there is still hope.

    Hugs,

    Stacy

    I agree, Stacy!!!!!

    AND she must get strong (and a bit mad), and WANT to conquer cancer!!!!

    Doctors go off of old stats...one of my favorite quotes...."Statistics are for betting the horses, and pull dates are for dairy products!".

    Hugs, kathi
  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #11
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    Can't add much else to the great advice you've already been given. Trust me, persistance, questions, not just "accepting" can really pay off. Check out personal web pages. Stats are old. Keep the faith and get as many opinions as it takes. God Bless and keep us posted
    Diane

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