omentum cancer

melanie01
melanie01 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Rare and Other Cancers #1
My husband has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and cancer of the omentum. Does any one else out there have this type of cancer? Very unusual cancer when in the omentum and there is no cure for it. Chemotherapy and as long as that works all will be fine. Would really like to hear from people who have this type of cancer or know of someone with omentum cancer. So new and still in shock,
Thanks Melanie01
«1

Comments

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #2
    I had appendix cancer with mets to the omentum
    Omentum was removed. I had intraperitoneal chemo (not HIPEC) to address the cancer spread, as well as systemic.

    Has your husband consulted with one of the top cancer hospitals like Sloan-Kettering or MD Anderson?

    Be sure to do your homework, and don't hesitate to go for a second opinion. I had one dr who predicted I'd be dead by now, and I'm doing great, with an excellent long-term prognosis. (I fired Dr. Doom.)

    Welcome - we're here to help.

    Alice
  • sgrm1
    sgrm1 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    which way did he go
    i am facing the same decsiom hipec or not confused please let me know
  • sgrm1
    sgrm1 Member Posts: 2
    #4
    which way did he go
    i am facing the same decsion hipec or not confused please let me know
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #5
    sgrm1 said:

    which way did he go
    i am facing the same decsion hipec or not confused please let me know

    It looks like Melanie hasn't been back
    since the initial post.

    Be sure to consult with someone who is familiar with your cancer. I did not have HIPEC, but did have non-heated intraperitoneal chemo. I also had my omentum removed. However, my cancer was not primary in the omentum. However I had mets to the omentum.

    Good luck to you.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #6
    abrub said:

    It looks like Melanie hasn't been back
    since the initial post.

    Be sure to consult with someone who is familiar with your cancer. I did not have HIPEC, but did have non-heated intraperitoneal chemo. I also had my omentum removed. However, my cancer was not primary in the omentum. However I had mets to the omentum.

    Good luck to you.

    Peritoneal carcinomatosis
    Hi: I think omentum cancer is the same as or similar to peritoneal carcinomatosis which I seem to have. So...my history. I had surgery to remove my gallbladder in April 2010. A tumour growing through the gallbladder wall into the liver was removed as was part of the liver. During a 2nd surgery the day after (to correct a burst blood vessel) the surgeon noted several soft tissue nodules on the omentum; he removed one (why not the rest I wonder? which was malignant. These nodules were never mentioned again even though they were apparent on several CT and MRI scans I received during chemotherapy (now I wonder why I didn't ask about them - guess I thought since they didn't mention it, no problem!). I received 6 cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and gemitibine) and treatments ended early February. My oncologist did not feel that the nodules were a problem. However, the latest CT scan showed multiple nodules (diagnosis peritoneal carcinomatosis) several which have increased in size to 1 cm. I see the surgeon on March 31 (gastro-enterologists are few in number in London, Ontario, Canada where I live so that is the earliest appt I could get). No one in Ontario does the HIPEC or IP chemo; in fact, only one in Canada who is in Alberta.

    As the prognosis for PC without HIPEC and IP chemo is terrible, I wonder: you said that you had the omentum removed. Does this mean that all of the nodules were also removed with it or in addition to it? How long after the primary tumour was removed (you don't say where it was) were you treated for omentum cancer? Did you have "ordinary" chemo prior to the IP chemo?

    Thanks!

    Cheryl
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #7
    westie66 said:

    Peritoneal carcinomatosis
    Hi: I think omentum cancer is the same as or similar to peritoneal carcinomatosis which I seem to have. So...my history. I had surgery to remove my gallbladder in April 2010. A tumour growing through the gallbladder wall into the liver was removed as was part of the liver. During a 2nd surgery the day after (to correct a burst blood vessel) the surgeon noted several soft tissue nodules on the omentum; he removed one (why not the rest I wonder? which was malignant. These nodules were never mentioned again even though they were apparent on several CT and MRI scans I received during chemotherapy (now I wonder why I didn't ask about them - guess I thought since they didn't mention it, no problem!). I received 6 cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and gemitibine) and treatments ended early February. My oncologist did not feel that the nodules were a problem. However, the latest CT scan showed multiple nodules (diagnosis peritoneal carcinomatosis) several which have increased in size to 1 cm. I see the surgeon on March 31 (gastro-enterologists are few in number in London, Ontario, Canada where I live so that is the earliest appt I could get). No one in Ontario does the HIPEC or IP chemo; in fact, only one in Canada who is in Alberta.

    As the prognosis for PC without HIPEC and IP chemo is terrible, I wonder: you said that you had the omentum removed. Does this mean that all of the nodules were also removed with it or in addition to it? How long after the primary tumour was removed (you don't say where it was) were you treated for omentum cancer? Did you have "ordinary" chemo prior to the IP chemo?

    Thanks!

    Cheryl

    Mine was appendix cancer with mets
    throughout the peritoneal cavity: ovary, omentum, outside of colon. My omentum was removed because there were bits of tumor on it. My appendix tumor had ruptured and seeded throughout. A portion of my omentum was removed, with tumor nodules when my primary cancer was found - a surprise finding during a hysterectomy. I had a second surgery in which the rest of my omentum was removed, as well as a bowel resection.

    In my case, the IP chemo was more important, and I had that first. "Ordinary Chemo" was considered to be of questionable value, tho my onc wanted me to have it. I had 7 of a planned 12 cycles of Folfox + Avastin (Folfox = 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin)

    If you click on my name, and go to my blog, you can see my story.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #8
    abrub said:

    Mine was appendix cancer with mets
    throughout the peritoneal cavity: ovary, omentum, outside of colon. My omentum was removed because there were bits of tumor on it. My appendix tumor had ruptured and seeded throughout. A portion of my omentum was removed, with tumor nodules when my primary cancer was found - a surprise finding during a hysterectomy. I had a second surgery in which the rest of my omentum was removed, as well as a bowel resection.

    In my case, the IP chemo was more important, and I had that first. "Ordinary Chemo" was considered to be of questionable value, tho my onc wanted me to have it. I had 7 of a planned 12 cycles of Folfox + Avastin (Folfox = 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin)

    If you click on my name, and go to my blog, you can see my story.

    Omentum and Peritoneal Cancer
    Hi: Thanks for responding! I'll google it but what is Intra-peritoneal chemo. I've not heard of it but assume intra means within so the chemo was directed right to the peritoneal cavity? or in your case to the omentum?
    Cheryl
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #9
    westie66 said:

    Omentum and Peritoneal Cancer
    Hi: Thanks for responding! I'll google it but what is Intra-peritoneal chemo. I've not heard of it but assume intra means within so the chemo was directed right to the peritoneal cavity? or in your case to the omentum?
    Cheryl

    IP chemo goes into the peritoneal cavity
    They wanted to bathe my colon and internal organs with chemo - the omentum was removed. I would have 4 liters of chemo infused into my belly over 3 days - 2 liters day one, 1 liter each day 2 and day 3. Then that gallon of fluid was left to be resorbed. Wait 2 weeks and repeat. I had 5 cycles of IP chemo. The chemo used was FUDR, which is a metabolic variant of 5FU, commonly used for colon cancer.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #10
    abrub said:

    IP chemo goes into the peritoneal cavity
    They wanted to bathe my colon and internal organs with chemo - the omentum was removed. I would have 4 liters of chemo infused into my belly over 3 days - 2 liters day one, 1 liter each day 2 and day 3. Then that gallon of fluid was left to be resorbed. Wait 2 weeks and repeat. I had 5 cycles of IP chemo. The chemo used was FUDR, which is a metabolic variant of 5FU, commonly used for colon cancer.

    Peritoneal Cancer
    Thanks! I read your blog and I see that we have had similar problems, although you've had more. I, too, had a surgery gone wrong (during removal of the gallbladder, its tumour, and adjacent liver bits) that ended me up in intensive care for 9 days. And I, too, have an incisional hernia that I am awaiting correction surgery on. And waiting... (it is elective surgery here in Canada). Now I'm awaiting an appointment with my oncologist to see what the next steps are.
    Cheryl
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #11
    westie66 said:

    Peritoneal Cancer
    Thanks! I read your blog and I see that we have had similar problems, although you've had more. I, too, had a surgery gone wrong (during removal of the gallbladder, its tumour, and adjacent liver bits) that ended me up in intensive care for 9 days. And I, too, have an incisional hernia that I am awaiting correction surgery on. And waiting... (it is elective surgery here in Canada). Now I'm awaiting an appointment with my oncologist to see what the next steps are.
    Cheryl

    Incisional hernia
    is elective as long as there is no strangulation. I chose to have mine repaired last June; my dr was in no hurry. However, waiting for inevitable surgery was making me crazy, so I did it on my schedule. My hernia was fairly large, and increasing in size. That surgery is also nasty - very painful for a long time. However, it's over and done, and I'm curling this season, back to doing everything. Life is good!

    Wishing you well. Alice
  • rhoopes54
    rhoopes54 Member Posts: 6
    #12
    Omentum Cancer
    I was diagnosed with small bowel cancer in 2009 did chemo for 6 months, had a one year remission, then cancer reappeared in the omentum.

    I am doing treatments at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona. I would be glad to share any and all of my treatment plans. Let me know where you are in your treatments and what I can do to share.
  • rhoopes54
    rhoopes54 Member Posts: 6
    #13
    sgrm1 said:

    which way did he go
    i am facing the same decsion hipec or not confused please let me know

    Omentum cancer
    I am currently undergoing treatment for omentum cancer. Did you have the omentum removed? I am very interested in why and how you felt after surgery.

    thanks,
    Robert Hoopes
    rhoopes54@gmail.com
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #14
    rhoopes54 said:

    Omentum cancer
    I am currently undergoing treatment for omentum cancer. Did you have the omentum removed? I am very interested in why and how you felt after surgery.

    thanks,
    Robert Hoopes
    rhoopes54@gmail.com

    My omentum was removed
    during surgery for stage 4 appendix cancer with peritoneal seeding everywhere. My omentum was peppered with bits of tumor. I'm fine now, doing everything. My surgery included a triple bowel resection (double colon, plus a small part of the small intestine), plus lots more. I've been kayaking, hiking, bicycling, curling (on ice), just enjoying life.

    Good luck!

    Alice
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #15
    rhoopes54 said:

    Omentum Cancer
    I was diagnosed with small bowel cancer in 2009 did chemo for 6 months, had a one year remission, then cancer reappeared in the omentum.

    I am doing treatments at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale Arizona. I would be glad to share any and all of my treatment plans. Let me know where you are in your treatments and what I can do to share.

    Omentum Cancer
    Hi: I too have cancerous nodules on the omentum as well as the peritoneum (seeded from gallbladder cancer) but surgery is likely not an option. I think you've already told me Alice - what chemo regime did you receive (if any) and did it work on the nodules? I have just ended treatment 5 of FOLFOXFIRI (oxaliplatin/irenotecan/5FU) but haven't had the results of the MRI yet. How about you rhoopes54?
    Cheryl
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #16
    westie66 said:

    Omentum Cancer
    Hi: I too have cancerous nodules on the omentum as well as the peritoneum (seeded from gallbladder cancer) but surgery is likely not an option. I think you've already told me Alice - what chemo regime did you receive (if any) and did it work on the nodules? I have just ended treatment 5 of FOLFOXFIRI (oxaliplatin/irenotecan/5FU) but haven't had the results of the MRI yet. How about you rhoopes54?
    Cheryl

    All visible tumors were surgically removed
    therefore, there is no evidence of anything from chemo - it was just "insurance". I had IP chemo of FUDR to address microscopic tumors in the peritoneum, and system chemo (Folfox)which was of questionable value in my case.

    In any event, since my surgery, there has never been any evidence of any tumors.

    Alice
  • Best Friend
    Best Friend Member Posts: 222
    #17
    Hi
    Mom is 62 and has primary peritoneal carcinoma which originates in the ovaries. Hers spread quite a bit including her omentum. I had never heard of it before. Now she had chemo, debulking(where they removed the omentum amongst other things), and now chemo again. Yes it's not curable but they can get u to remission. Takes alot of hard work. Mom wanted to die. She had me calling hospice when she had her first chemo. And i can't imagine how cancer patients can do this. I give everyone who has cancer a huge amount of props. Mom, only has a little on her spleen now. Why they didn't remove that, I don't know but i can't believe how far she has come. I have faith she will be in remission quite soon.
  • rhoopes54
    rhoopes54 Member Posts: 6
    #18
    westie66 said:

    Omentum Cancer
    Hi: I too have cancerous nodules on the omentum as well as the peritoneum (seeded from gallbladder cancer) but surgery is likely not an option. I think you've already told me Alice - what chemo regime did you receive (if any) and did it work on the nodules? I have just ended treatment 5 of FOLFOXFIRI (oxaliplatin/irenotecan/5FU) but haven't had the results of the MRI yet. How about you rhoopes54?
    Cheryl

    Omentum cancer
    I just finished six months treatment with avastin and do ct scans and onc visits next week. we will see how it goes. I have noticed that females have omentum removed but not males. Strange. My cancer was small bowel with metastis to omentum.
  • rhoopes54
    rhoopes54 Member Posts: 6
    #19
    abrub said:

    My omentum was removed
    during surgery for stage 4 appendix cancer with peritoneal seeding everywhere. My omentum was peppered with bits of tumor. I'm fine now, doing everything. My surgery included a triple bowel resection (double colon, plus a small part of the small intestine), plus lots more. I've been kayaking, hiking, bicycling, curling (on ice), just enjoying life.

    Good luck!

    Alice

    Omentum
    Thanks for sharing. Just finished six months of avastin treatment with ct scans scheduled for next week. Time will tell for me.
  • westie66
    westie66 Member Posts: 642
    #20
    rhoopes54 said:

    Omentum cancer
    I just finished six months treatment with avastin and do ct scans and onc visits next week. we will see how it goes. I have noticed that females have omentum removed but not males. Strange. My cancer was small bowel with metastis to omentum.

    Omentum Cancer
    Hi: Yes, it is strange. I can't imagine that there can be that different a biology for the same organs for men and women. And it seems that women have the peritoneum removed as well after cancer seeded there from elsewhere or originated there. I haven't had either removed so IV chemo is the treatment of choice (oxaliplatin, irenotecan, 5FU) for the omentum and peritoneum nodules which originated from the gallbladder apparently. Can anyone answer this?
    Cheryl
  • packer
    packer Member Posts: 1
    #21
    abrub said:

    Mine was appendix cancer with mets
    throughout the peritoneal cavity: ovary, omentum, outside of colon. My omentum was removed because there were bits of tumor on it. My appendix tumor had ruptured and seeded throughout. A portion of my omentum was removed, with tumor nodules when my primary cancer was found - a surprise finding during a hysterectomy. I had a second surgery in which the rest of my omentum was removed, as well as a bowel resection.

    In my case, the IP chemo was more important, and I had that first. "Ordinary Chemo" was considered to be of questionable value, tho my onc wanted me to have it. I had 7 of a planned 12 cycles of Folfox + Avastin (Folfox = 5FU, Leucovorin, Oxaliplatin)

    If you click on my name, and go to my blog, you can see my story.

    Peritoneal acities - Thank you for sharing. Meant alot.

    Hi Alice

    I'm very new to all of this and don't know what my results of a paracentises done yesterday will hold. But I read your blog and it really meant alot to me. Im a women in my 70s in pretty good shape, just a painful omentum area and acities. Thanks for your blog. Packer

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