Trying to understand treatment options for Stage 4 colon cancer

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MFS74
MFS74 Member Posts: 8
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My father was diagnosed with cancer two weeks ago. He had surgery at Mt. Sini three days ago. We thought the cancer was very early and contained (all CEO/pt/ct tests came back normal). When they opened him up they found the cancer had spread outside the rectum wall. They say it is microscopic and could not remove it all. The prognosis isn't great as they say the chemo may not cure the cancer. They are talking about using intaparental chemo as soon as he recovers from the surgery. Any information/experience/hope would be great to undertand. Thank you.

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  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #2
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    Stage IV
    Sorry to hear about your Dad. There are a lot of Stage IV folks out here, I am one of them. So they said the chemo may not sure the cancer, that leaves it open that it may cure the cancer too. There are so many treatments out there and so many factors that determine the outcome. Attitude is #1 or #2, a good team of doctors and a good support team is just as important. I am not familiar with the intaparental chemo. You can search this site and see what pops up. Maybe there is a fellow semicolon out there that has some experience with it too.
    Good luck and keep us posted
    -phil
  • eric38
    eric38 Member Posts: 583
    #3
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    I have stage 4 colon cancer
    I have stage 4 colon cancer with mets but I am in a totally different situation than your father but I`m sure others will post. There are plenty of people on this site that have been in seemingly impossible situations regarding cancer and survived because they took a pro active approach. I think the key is consulting and getting second opinions. A surgeon may know something an oncologist does not and there are cutting edge places that may have new procedures. I would check with MD Anderson. Anyway, this site is very inspirational and a good support for those dealing with cancer. You will hear some amazing stories from people who have survived in spite of the odds.
  • MFS74
    MFS74 Member Posts: 8
    #4
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    PhillieG said:

    Stage IV
    Sorry to hear about your Dad. There are a lot of Stage IV folks out here, I am one of them. So they said the chemo may not sure the cancer, that leaves it open that it may cure the cancer too. There are so many treatments out there and so many factors that determine the outcome. Attitude is #1 or #2, a good team of doctors and a good support team is just as important. I am not familiar with the intaparental chemo. You can search this site and see what pops up. Maybe there is a fellow semicolon out there that has some experience with it too.
    Good luck and keep us posted
    -phil

    thank you
    Phil........thank you for response......it has been a surreal experience, but I plan to help him fight this. I wish you the best of luck as well.
  • MFS74
    MFS74 Member Posts: 8
    #5
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    eric38 said:

    I have stage 4 colon cancer
    I have stage 4 colon cancer with mets but I am in a totally different situation than your father but I`m sure others will post. There are plenty of people on this site that have been in seemingly impossible situations regarding cancer and survived because they took a pro active approach. I think the key is consulting and getting second opinions. A surgeon may know something an oncologist does not and there are cutting edge places that may have new procedures. I would check with MD Anderson. Anyway, this site is very inspirational and a good support for those dealing with cancer. You will hear some amazing stories from people who have survived in spite of the odds.

    thank you
    Thank for responding.........I wish you the best of luck. The whole thing has been a surreal experience.
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #6
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    HIPEC
    You may want to google IPEC or HIPEC (heated chemo). I believe that this was pioneered by Dr Sugarbaker. I believe there is a member on this board that had it done in December and there are a couple of other people on the ColonClub.com board that have also had it done. You may want to go to that forum as well and search for "hipec." Many people that post here post there as well. I don't have any personal experience with HIPEC.

    If you want to read about positive stories you can click on the usernames of individuals here as most have their background detailed. Also, if you can go for second opinion consider Sloan Kettering (where I go).

    Best regards,
    Amy
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #7
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    welcome!
    Welcome to this site although I am sorry you have cause to be here. I'm afraid I don't know too much about the specific treatment they are suggesting for you dad. However, I want to respond to your concerns about prognosis. These days, it seems there has been a shift in how many people are thinking about cancer and "cure". Many people (and I am one of them!) are regarding cancer more like a chronic disease. One may be on treatment long-term, one may have time periods with treatment then long periods without. I was diagnosed over 6 years ago with Stage III cancer. I have had a few recurrences. I am currently on maintenance chemo, indefinitely. But I am leading an active and full life. New treatments are cropping up all the time, and the prognoses that we may read or hear can be very out-of-date. The way I view it, gotta have hope and stay one step ahead.

    Good luck to you as you face this roller-coaster -- full of new information and emotion. Don't hesitate to raise any questions here -- it is a wealth of information and support.

    Best wishes
    Tara
  • jenhopesprays
    jenhopesprays Member Posts: 128 Member
    #8
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    mom_2_3 said:

    HIPEC
    You may want to google IPEC or HIPEC (heated chemo). I believe that this was pioneered by Dr Sugarbaker. I believe there is a member on this board that had it done in December and there are a couple of other people on the ColonClub.com board that have also had it done. You may want to go to that forum as well and search for "hipec." Many people that post here post there as well. I don't have any personal experience with HIPEC.

    If you want to read about positive stories you can click on the usernames of individuals here as most have their background detailed. Also, if you can go for second opinion consider Sloan Kettering (where I go).

    Best regards,
    Amy

    I am so sorry you are going
    I am so sorry you are going thru this with your dad. I am on of the folks Amy is speaking of who had HIPEC/IPEC treatment to my peritineal cavity to remove trace amounts of cancer that may be lurking after removal of a tumor.

    It sounds like your dad's docs are on the right track with the Interperitineal chemo. This is a cutting edge treatment for these hard to treat mets.



    To see a list (definitely not complete but it's a start) of docs that perform HIPEC/IPEC, go to: http://www.pmppals.org/physicians.htm

    Also to see a live HIPEC/IPEC operation that includes commentary, go to:
    http://www.or-live.com/WFUBMC/1478/

    Last, to read Dr. Paul Sugarbaker's website section on peritoneal carcinomatosis and the surgery, go here: http://www.surgicaloncology.com/pc.htm - Dr. Sugarbaker is the doctor who basically invented this kind of surgery, which is sometimes known as the "Sugarbaker surgery". This is the doc who performed mine.

    PM me anytime and I am happy to chat with you...

    ((((hugs))))

    Jennifer
  • mom_2_3
    mom_2_3 Member Posts: 953 Member
    #9
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    jenhopesprays said:

    I am so sorry you are going
    I am so sorry you are going thru this with your dad. I am on of the folks Amy is speaking of who had HIPEC/IPEC treatment to my peritineal cavity to remove trace amounts of cancer that may be lurking after removal of a tumor.

    It sounds like your dad's docs are on the right track with the Interperitineal chemo. This is a cutting edge treatment for these hard to treat mets.



    To see a list (definitely not complete but it's a start) of docs that perform HIPEC/IPEC, go to: http://www.pmppals.org/physicians.htm

    Also to see a live HIPEC/IPEC operation that includes commentary, go to:
    http://www.or-live.com/WFUBMC/1478/

    Last, to read Dr. Paul Sugarbaker's website section on peritoneal carcinomatosis and the surgery, go here: http://www.surgicaloncology.com/pc.htm - Dr. Sugarbaker is the doctor who basically invented this kind of surgery, which is sometimes known as the "Sugarbaker surgery". This is the doc who performed mine.

    PM me anytime and I am happy to chat with you...

    ((((hugs))))

    Jennifer

    Glad to see you!
    Jennifer,

    Glad to see you posting! Hope you're feeling well!
  • MFS74
    MFS74 Member Posts: 8
    #10
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    jenhopesprays said:

    I am so sorry you are going
    I am so sorry you are going thru this with your dad. I am on of the folks Amy is speaking of who had HIPEC/IPEC treatment to my peritineal cavity to remove trace amounts of cancer that may be lurking after removal of a tumor.

    It sounds like your dad's docs are on the right track with the Interperitineal chemo. This is a cutting edge treatment for these hard to treat mets.



    To see a list (definitely not complete but it's a start) of docs that perform HIPEC/IPEC, go to: http://www.pmppals.org/physicians.htm

    Also to see a live HIPEC/IPEC operation that includes commentary, go to:
    http://www.or-live.com/WFUBMC/1478/

    Last, to read Dr. Paul Sugarbaker's website section on peritoneal carcinomatosis and the surgery, go here: http://www.surgicaloncology.com/pc.htm - Dr. Sugarbaker is the doctor who basically invented this kind of surgery, which is sometimes known as the "Sugarbaker surgery". This is the doc who performed mine.

    PM me anytime and I am happy to chat with you...

    ((((hugs))))

    Jennifer

    Thank you
    Jennifer.........thank you for the information. If possible, would love to chat further with you. Thanks again,

    Mark

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