lung mets...what stage were you

Madre

I've seen post from many of you that have lung mets. What stage colon cancer were you, what was your treatment, and how were your mets discovered? I ask because I was stage 3B, had surgery, and 12 rounds of folfox. It has been 6 months (so far so good) just wondered what the chances of this happening to me is. I know we are all different but it doesn't hurt to get more info. Thanks

PhillieG

(Let's Stay Away) Lung Mets
Hi Madre,
I was at Stage IV, the cancer was in my colon, all through my liver, and there were suspicious spots in my lungs. We focused on what we felt were the most important things, the colon and liver first. After that was taken care of, we then confirmed I had lung mets too. I've been on Erbitux for a while and it's been very successful in treating the lung mets.

Try to focus on the good points, that you are/were stage 3, had the surgery and the chemo and all looks good. My guess is that as long as you keep up with check ups you'll be OK.
That's my guess and hope for you. Stay positive, it does wonders...
-phil

dianetavegia

Madre
Do you have symptoms?

Have you seen the Dana Farber Cancer Institute study that says women with Stage III, some lymph involvement can improve their survival rates by 55% by exercising six days a week? You can read it off About.com

Did you know getting some sun and getting enough Vitamin D in your diet can raise your survival rates (Stage III study again) by 39%. A google search will bring this info up.

The University of Michigan is doing a study now on colon cancer and the Mediterranean Diet. A previous study indicated an increase in survival rates by 6% in people who ate healthy. A search for colon cancer diet University of Michigan will bring up their study. They sent me the pamphlet by email. If you'd like an email copy, write me at tavegia@bellsouth.net and I'll forward that right away (won't retain your email addy for forwards, etc.)

Positive thinking, prayer, good attitude, family ties all help people live longer lives. From that picture in your profile, looks like you've got all those on your side, too!

Hang in there, Madre!

CherylHutch

Lung mets
Hey Madre,

To tell you the truth, I have no idea when my lung mets showed up or if they had been there prior to my original diagnosis or not. I was dx'd with colon cancer, Stage III in Dec 2006, but at that time all focus was on the colon surgery and then the chemo/radiation. At the followup CEA test after the colon cancer, that's when we saw the slight elevation and then again at the end of January 2008. A PET scan was done and at that time, the malignant lesion in my right adrenal gland and 1 lesion/met in my lung was discovered (via the PET scan). Keeping in mind a PET only finds lesions/mets that are metabolically active (fast growing cells), so we did not know if there were other mets in the lung just with the PET scan. It was the CAT scan that found the other nodules, which currently are not showing signs of activity (they are considered very, very small). In total, the latest on my lungs is I have 11 "nodules".

We use the term "nodules" for lack of a better word because since they don't light up the PET scan then they are not showing signs of cancer activity (currently). On the other hand, statistically the thought is some, if not all, will probably show themselves to be cancerous at some point... but when will that point happen? No one knows. At the same time, when I was younger, I did have about 4-5 different bouts of bronchial pneumonia, as well, I would never catch a normal every day cold, I immediately would get bronchitis (and yes, I was a smoker for eons)... so all that bronchial stuff could very easily have caused damage and scarring.

So, between the high possibility that some (or all) of these nodules could be CC mets, or some could be scar tissue... no one will really know until either they start growing or they don't. And even then... benign cysts can grow, so one just has to keep an eye on them and not get too excited until one actually indicates that it is positive for cancer. How will we know?

In my case, CEA has been a very good indicator for me in the past... although I'm not sure how large a lung met would have to be before my CEA would change. So we will be keeping an eye on them with regular CAT scans and if any of the mets are showing an increase in size, then a PET scan will be done to check for metabolic activity.

If you don't currently have any sign of mets, then don't even worry about it. Because you have had colon cancer and been under all the treatments, you will continue to have regular checks and CAT scans. Is your CEA marker a good indicator for you? Some people it isn't, so if it isn't you might want to ask your onc what is in place for ongoing checking of your liver and lungs (the two most common places colon cancer will spread to if it's going to spread).

But like I say, if you are clear now, then celebrate, celebrate, celebrate

Hugggggs,

Cheryl

PhillieG

dianetavegia said:

Madre
Do you have symptoms?

Have you seen the Dana Farber Cancer Institute study that says women with Stage III, some lymph involvement can improve their survival rates by 55% by exercising six days a week? You can read it off About.com

Did you know getting some sun and getting enough Vitamin D in your diet can raise your survival rates (Stage III study again) by 39%. A google search will bring this info up.

The University of Michigan is doing a study now on colon cancer and the Mediterranean Diet. A previous study indicated an increase in survival rates by 6% in people who ate healthy. A search for colon cancer diet University of Michigan will bring up their study. They sent me the pamphlet by email. If you'd like an email copy, write me at tavegia@bellsouth.net and I'll forward that right away (won't retain your email addy for forwards, etc.)

Positive thinking, prayer, good attitude, family ties all help people live longer lives. From that picture in your profile, looks like you've got all those on your side, too!

Hang in there, Madre!

♫ Here Comes the Sun ... Just a little Bit ♫
The key word there is some sun but I think that's true too Diane. Once you've been on chemo, you always have to watch sun exposure I was told. I know if I don't lather up with some sunscreen I'm toast.

taraHK

Stage 3
I was diagnosed with Stage III rectal cancer (no mets at that stage). I had presurgical chemoradiation, surgery, postsurgery chemo.

My first lung met was detected almost 2 years after the date of surgery. It was a solitary met (surgery, chemo). Since then, I have had two more solitary lung mets, each 1.5 to 2 years after surgery. Also treated with surgery + chemo. I am now NED (yea) and on maintenance chemo (Xeloda).

I am sorry not to bring you better news. I think my case is quite unusual (solitary mets, slow-growing). It is great that you are 6 mos out of chemo - yea. I have heard that if you go 2 years with no recurrences, the chances of a recurrence drop hugely. So 2 years is a bit of a magic date.

Wishing you 2 -- and then another ?70!! -- years of NED!!

Love,
Tara

lisa42

mets
Hi,

My lung (and liver) mets were all there right when I received my diagnosis, so I didn't have the experience of moving from an earlier stage to stage IV.

As a few others have said, focus on the good- I know it's hard not to think about it- you wouldn't be human if you didn't think, worry, and wonder about it all. BUT... there are several people on this board who are stage III and have not had any mets anywhere! Do all you can to stay healthy- several good suggestions so far. I'd personally also add in wheat grass, berries and fruits with antioxidants (except not when on chemo- if you're off, then definitely go for it!) I'd also try to eat as organic as possible (I personally do about a third of things- organic is expensive and it's tough to afford it all on a limited budget, but I think things like organic milk, and the thinner skinned fruits and veggies are probably the most important on that) I'm no pro on health, but I'm learning and trying to do better.

Keep exercising, try to stay as stress free as possible- no overcommiting yourself (that used to be a problem of mine- I was waaay too busy & I believe the stress of it all contributed to my cancer. No proof, just what I think).

Take care and God bless,
Lisa

Madre

lisa42 said:

mets
Hi,

My lung (and liver) mets were all there right when I received my diagnosis, so I didn't have the experience of moving from an earlier stage to stage IV.

As a few others have said, focus on the good- I know it's hard not to think about it- you wouldn't be human if you didn't think, worry, and wonder about it all. BUT... there are several people on this board who are stage III and have not had any mets anywhere! Do all you can to stay healthy- several good suggestions so far. I'd personally also add in wheat grass, berries and fruits with antioxidants (except not when on chemo- if you're off, then definitely go for it!) I'd also try to eat as organic as possible (I personally do about a third of things- organic is expensive and it's tough to afford it all on a limited budget, but I think things like organic milk, and the thinner skinned fruits and veggies are probably the most important on that) I'm no pro on health, but I'm learning and trying to do better.

Keep exercising, try to stay as stress free as possible- no overcommiting yourself (that used to be a problem of mine- I was waaay too busy & I believe the stress of it all contributed to my cancer. No proof, just what I think).

Take care and God bless,
Lisa

Thank you
You are all awesome. I love this board because I feel so satisfied with the answers. I know I don't eat right, never have, but I try once in a while. Lactose intolerant so that doesn't help either. But, as far as stress, I just got a new job, it will be stressful at first but I definately think it will be better in the long run. My job was downsized to part time but they never really downsized my responsibilities. As far as exercise does walking across the fields at my kids sporting events count? Now that the nice weather is finally coming I am thnking of walking the neighborhood after dinner, maybe hubby will join me. CEA has never been a good marker, with an active 1.5 inch tumor it was 1.5, it has been between 1.2 and 1.7. I had CT scans in December and will again in June and a colonoscopy in May. I have a nodule on my thyroid but they aren't concerned. My feeling is if it's not broke, don't fix it. It was 1 year ago 4/4 that they diagnosed me. My friends and I all went out and celebrated. Well my friends, have a great day and thanks for your input.
Madre

angelsbaby

Madre said:

Thank you
You are all awesome. I love this board because I feel so satisfied with the answers. I know I don't eat right, never have, but I try once in a while. Lactose intolerant so that doesn't help either. But, as far as stress, I just got a new job, it will be stressful at first but I definately think it will be better in the long run. My job was downsized to part time but they never really downsized my responsibilities. As far as exercise does walking across the fields at my kids sporting events count? Now that the nice weather is finally coming I am thnking of walking the neighborhood after dinner, maybe hubby will join me. CEA has never been a good marker, with an active 1.5 inch tumor it was 1.5, it has been between 1.2 and 1.7. I had CT scans in December and will again in June and a colonoscopy in May. I have a nodule on my thyroid but they aren't concerned. My feeling is if it's not broke, don't fix it. It was 1 year ago 4/4 that they diagnosed me. My friends and I all went out and celebrated. Well my friends, have a great day and thanks for your input.
Madre

madre
Just listen to your body if you feel the slightest weirdness or a pain here or there tell you dr and keep up with the follow up appt. I am happy for you

michelle