signet ring cell cancer in colon

I am new to this site. My 30 yr old son was diagnosed with colon cancer

in Jan. The tumor he had was an unusual one in that this type of tumor

generally appears in stomach or liver, not in colon. Does anyone have

any information on signet ring cell cancer? Thank you

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    edited May 2019 #2
    I have a 30 year old son

    I would be devestated if he were diagnosed. 

    We have had members with Signet ring Cell Cancer and I hope that someone will come along soon to give you the help and advice you need. 

    I just wanted to welcome you to the forum, and wish your son well as he moves forward with this terrible disease. 

    Tru

  • Butt
    Butt Member Posts: 352 Member

    It is very rear and aggressive. You want to consider a large cancer center where they gave more experience. Butt.

  • EndoRN1985
    EndoRN1985 Member Posts: 17
    Stage

    Do you know what stage it is? Specifically if there was any nodes involved. They stage cancer by TNM (tumor, nodes, and mets). Signet generally produces mucin, and if found early has generally a good prognosis,  but the mucin can make it easier to spread. Knowing where it was, as well as the RNM will help you get as much helpful information as possible. Only look up scholarly journals, as will as studies from NIH to have reliable info.

     

    Andrew

  • marbleotis
    marbleotis Member Posts: 720 Member
    Hi

    Hi and sorry that you are here.

    I had stage 3b signet cell colon cancer and was dx'ed at 49 years old.

    I have been NED (No Evidence of Disease) for  7 1/2 years.

    I had the surgery to remove the tumor and 12 rounds of 5fu and oxi.

    I was told that "signet cell" is rare and agressive.  Well I thought cancer is in general rare and agressive.  I focussed on getting through the infusions, went organic, have a consistant exercise plan, added yoga and here I am 7 1/2 years NED.

     

    I am heartbroken about your son.  My story had a twist, after I become NED my son in law had some issues (pain, bleeding...) had a colonoscopy and he was dx'ed with stage 4 rectal cancer with mets to liver/lungs - at 28.  So my happiness for myself quickly changed to big concerns over him.  He is in infusion for 3 1/2 years now and will be on chemo for the long term - he is working the plan!

    My advise is get the best Drs and don't be shy about asking questions.  If you are not comfortable - get second opinions.  Your son needs to feel comfortable with your Onc choice.  Best of luck.  You can IM me if you like.

  • mollyveltz
    mollyveltz Member Posts: 2

    Hi

    Hi and sorry that you are here.

    I had stage 3b signet cell colon cancer and was dx'ed at 49 years old.

    I have been NED (No Evidence of Disease) for  7 1/2 years.

    I had the surgery to remove the tumor and 12 rounds of 5fu and oxi.

    I was told that "signet cell" is rare and agressive.  Well I thought cancer is in general rare and agressive.  I focussed on getting through the infusions, went organic, have a consistant exercise plan, added yoga and here I am 7 1/2 years NED.

     

    I am heartbroken about your son.  My story had a twist, after I become NED my son in law had some issues (pain, bleeding...) had a colonoscopy and he was dx'ed with stage 4 rectal cancer with mets to liver/lungs - at 28.  So my happiness for myself quickly changed to big concerns over him.  He is in infusion for 3 1/2 years now and will be on chemo for the long term - he is working the plan!

    My advise is get the best Drs and don't be shy about asking questions.  If you are not comfortable - get second opinions.  Your son needs to feel comfortable with your Onc choice.  Best of luck.  You can IM me if you like.

    mucinous adenocarcinoma with signet ring cells

    Hi Marbleotis, my Dad just got diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer, and his biopsy showed signet ring cells. They removed that portion of his colon and now he has a meeting with an oncologist at Wash U in St Louis. He is a very young 70 and extremely fit so he is recovering quickly from surgery. Do you know of any hospitals or oncologists who specialize in signet ring cells? His tumor had high microstatic instability, so it should respond well to chemo despite the SRCs. Or at least, we think. He did have 3 positive lymph nodes and a tumor deposit. It's so encouraging that you also had stage 3 and that you are NED after 7 years! I would love to hear more about where you received your treatment.

    Thanks

    Molly

  • mollyveltz
    mollyveltz Member Posts: 2
    what stage?

    GayleGailGale, What stage does your son have? I'm very sorry to hear about his diagnosis bc he is so young. Was he symptomatic? 

    Molly

  • leslyelaw
    leslyelaw Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2019 #8
    Hello. I'm sorry to hear of

    Hello. I'm sorry to hear of this. I, too, have been diagnosed with signet ring carcinoma in the colon. Had an endoscopy which showed my stomach is clear. But i have a partial blockage. It's in the terminal ileum, ileocecal valve and cecum. Meeting with the surgeon today. The biopsy is from my colonoscopy. The CT scan said it wasn't metastatic, but reading about the type is depressing. I question why go through surgery if the outcome is bad. I think I'm depressed. Hopefully after today, I'll have more info. I will share what I find out too. I'm 60, and have lost 15 pounds (now weigh 90) due to blockage and what i'm limited to eating (no fiber..lots of liquid diet). I want to be strong for the surgery. I hope people here will post what success they had with surgery. Thank you so much for this forum and the support we can give each other. 

    Leslye

  • leslyelaw
    leslyelaw Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2019 #9

    Stage

    Do you know what stage it is? Specifically if there was any nodes involved. They stage cancer by TNM (tumor, nodes, and mets). Signet generally produces mucin, and if found early has generally a good prognosis,  but the mucin can make it easier to spread. Knowing where it was, as well as the RNM will help you get as much helpful information as possible. Only look up scholarly journals, as will as studies from NIH to have reliable info.

     

    Andrew

    Thank you. I am curious about

    Thank you. I am curious about this too because I was just diagnosed with the same thing. Endoscopy ruled out any cancer in my stomach. I have a partial blockage from terminal ileum to cecum from the tumor. Only had colonoscopy...and that is how they found my cancer through biopsies. And that is how they saw it was signet ring cell carcinoma. But all my other blood work is good. I'm just terrified 1) to have cancer 2) to have signet ring 3) to know i need surgery. I'm with Kaiser so don't have an option for a more specialized hospital. I want to know how people survive surgery...and then get healthy enough to build back (i'm down to 90 pounds due to lack of eating good food). I'm 60 and have a great support system, feel healthy when i'm not in pain, and have good blood work....What do i ask the surgeon? How do I learn to trust? Thank you!!!

    Leslye

  • Steelkiwi686
    Steelkiwi686 Member Posts: 73 Member
    mmj

     

    If legal in you state you may want to look into medical marijuana. I can’t say enough about how much it has relieved my insomnia, stress, stomach cramping due to diarrhea and mostly the inability to eat from chemo side effects. 

    It may not be for everyone but it has allowed me to gain back the weight I had lost and as a result I felt much stronger 

    Thinking of you 

    SK

     

  • Corptkm
    Corptkm Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2019 #11

    Diagnoised with signet cell in lower rectum two months ago. Sense then my days are filled with scans (4) a surgery (colospy bag diversion),  chemo pump installed a month ago. Going on 4th chemo treatment 4 hours per treatment plus 48 hour  house chemo treatment directly after regular treatment. I mean what happen. Healthy 3 months ago and now living in extreme pain and sickness 24 hours a day. Medicine barely helps (fentynol 100 micrograms, liquid morphine 60mg and oxycotin 80mg). Was told I have stage 3. If that's the case why are the doctors treating this so urgently. 

    To date 4 scans one in hosiptal, one surgery (colostomy bag diversion), extra 4 hour chemo with additional 48 house home chemo. After my next treatment I need another scan to see if rectal tumor shrunk 12cm). If positive, next step is Radition then rectal surgery.

    Is this tipical for stage 3 signet cell rectal cancer? I feel like I'm getting closer to death each day, I just cant take much more of this.

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    edited October 2019 #12
    Corptkm said:

    Diagnoised with signet cell in lower rectum two months ago. Sense then my days are filled with scans (4) a surgery (colospy bag diversion),  chemo pump installed a month ago. Going on 4th chemo treatment 4 hours per treatment plus 48 hour  house chemo treatment directly after regular treatment. I mean what happen. Healthy 3 months ago and now living in extreme pain and sickness 24 hours a day. Medicine barely helps (fentynol 100 micrograms, liquid morphine 60mg and oxycotin 80mg). Was told I have stage 3. If that's the case why are the doctors treating this so urgently. 

    To date 4 scans one in hosiptal, one surgery (colostomy bag diversion), extra 4 hour chemo with additional 48 house home chemo. After my next treatment I need another scan to see if rectal tumor shrunk 12cm). If positive, next step is Radition then rectal surgery.

    Is this tipical for stage 3 signet cell rectal cancer? I feel like I'm getting closer to death each day, I just cant take much more of this.

    Hello and welcome to the forum

    It is allot to take on board, diagnosis, tests, scans, treatment, but it sounds like normal procedure for Stage III.  Your Oncologist wants to jump right on it, and make sure you don't get to Stage IV. 

    May I suggest you start your own thread on the forum home page. Here is the link   Forum Home Page     that way, we can address your post without running up Gayle's thread. 

    I am sorry to hear you are so much pain. That just makes things a whole lot worse to handle. 

    At the beginning of my journey, back in 2013, my head was spinning with all the horrors of diagnosis, prognosis & treatment. I discovered guided meditation, which worked for me.  I hope you can find something that works for you. Something that can calm the mind, which may also help a little with pain - possibly. 

    I wish you luck as you move forward. 

    Look forward to seeing you post again. 

    Tru