Not sure what to do

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MrsJP
MrsJP Member Posts: 157
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My son was dx with stage 3 rectal cancer 03/09/10, had radiation xeloda to shrink tumor, resection 07/10, mop up chemo for four months. Had his ileo reversed 1/11, f/u CT 4/11 which showed artifacts to lungs and 3 nodes by his lumbar spine. He got a 2nd opinion at Sloan Kettering and was told to take the waite and see approach. So 3 months later he had another ct,suprise suprise,the artifacts in his lungs have increased in number(not sure about size) and he has two small lesions in his liver. His GI doc thinks he should start chemo asap, his local onc whats to have a port put in and was told he would have 46 hr infusions every two wks. The local onc will consult with sloan kettering and get back to my son..

My son has always been an athelete, has been taking different herbs and sees a TCM Dr every two weeks. I am at a loss. Not sure how to comfort my son, what to pray for, how to control my feelings.

My sister suggested proton therapy, but from what I have read tonight it is not for a pt with metastic disease. Has anyone heard of this? or have any other suggestions?

Thanks
JP

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  • jomar
    jomar Member Posts: 11
    #2
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    I don't have any answers but I am going through a simular experience. I had chemo and radiation. The doctors recommend surgery. Did your son get a colostomy? I guess their are a lot of us out there...stay strong.
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #3
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    Mrs JP
    Here is the typical schedule of treatment for mCRC (Metastatic Colorectal Cancer)

    Chemotherapy, usually Folfox (FOL– Folinic acid (leucovorin) F – Fluorouracil (5-FU) OX – Oxaliplatin) or Fofiri (same as Folfox, but substituting Irinotecan for Oxaliplatin)

    This treatment will be once every two weeks for 24 weeks, and might include a newer drug called Avastin. The 5-FU is delivered via the 46 hour pump your son would be wearing home.

    At some point the physicians will rule on the possibility of surgery. Mets (shorthand for Metastasis on most forums) to the lung and the liver can sometimes be surgically removed and this can lead to a cure.

    His tumor should be genetically tested for the KRAS mutation. If he has "Wild" KRAS (no mutation) he will be a candidate for some of the second-line EGFR drugs. These are so called biological drugs, and they work by blocking particular protein receptors in the cells. In that they do not cause indiscriminate cell death, they are referred to as targeted therapies.

    There are also therapies that:

    pump chemo directly to the liver

    use radio waves to burn the cancer in the lungs

    fill the body cavity with heated chemo drugs for a short period of time

    Each of these has a place and time, and your son may or may not be eligible for them.

    Your son should get an opinion from a major cancer research center. You don't say where you are, but MD Anderson, Sloan-Kettering and USC Norris come up frequently on this forum.

    Treatments are better today than they were in the 1990's, and survival rates have near doubled for mCRC over the last decade, so do not lose hope.

    Feel free to PM me if I can be of any assistance.

    Your friend,

    Blake
  • MrsJP
    MrsJP Member Posts: 157
    #4
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    jomar said:

    I don't have any answers but I am going through a simular experience. I had chemo and radiation. The doctors recommend surgery. Did your son get a colostomy? I guess their are a lot of us out there...stay strong.

    colostomy
    So sorry you have to go threw this too.

    My son had a temporary ileostomy for 6 months. This was done so he could heal from his resection.

    JP
  • MrsJP
    MrsJP Member Posts: 157
    #5
    Options
    Buckwirth said:

    Mrs JP
    Here is the typical schedule of treatment for mCRC (Metastatic Colorectal Cancer)

    Chemotherapy, usually Folfox (FOL– Folinic acid (leucovorin) F – Fluorouracil (5-FU) OX – Oxaliplatin) or Fofiri (same as Folfox, but substituting Irinotecan for Oxaliplatin)

    This treatment will be once every two weeks for 24 weeks, and might include a newer drug called Avastin. The 5-FU is delivered via the 46 hour pump your son would be wearing home.

    At some point the physicians will rule on the possibility of surgery. Mets (shorthand for Metastasis on most forums) to the lung and the liver can sometimes be surgically removed and this can lead to a cure.

    His tumor should be genetically tested for the KRAS mutation. If he has "Wild" KRAS (no mutation) he will be a candidate for some of the second-line EGFR drugs. These are so called biological drugs, and they work by blocking particular protein receptors in the cells. In that they do not cause indiscriminate cell death, they are referred to as targeted therapies.

    There are also therapies that:

    pump chemo directly to the liver

    use radio waves to burn the cancer in the lungs

    fill the body cavity with heated chemo drugs for a short period of time

    Each of these has a place and time, and your son may or may not be eligible for them.

    Your son should get an opinion from a major cancer research center. You don't say where you are, but MD Anderson, Sloan-Kettering and USC Norris come up frequently on this forum.

    Treatments are better today than they were in the 1990's, and survival rates have near doubled for mCRC over the last decade, so do not lose hope.

    Feel free to PM me if I can be of any assistance.

    Your friend,

    Blake

    Thank you
    Blake,

    Thank you so much for the information. I am trying not to give up hope. It is just so hard sometimes. I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach.

    I sent your post to my son. I hope he'll join this board. I think that he would get alot of insight and encouragement from everyone here.

    JP
  • jomar
    jomar Member Posts: 11
    #6
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    MrsJP said:

    colostomy
    So sorry you have to go threw this too.

    My son had a temporary ileostomy for 6 months. This was done so he could heal from his resection.

    JP

    Thanks
    I'm new to this and trying to get more info. I don't know of any statistics regarding the cancer coming back after chemo and radiation. My pics look very good. I'm still advised to get the bag. I wish your son well..and yourself.

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