New and need some input please

keystone
keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband was just staged yesterday for colorectal cancer. Clinically he is t2n2 . The MRI did not show any enlarged or cancer in lymph nodes but the ultrasound did find 3. The surgeon seemed surprised. They have decided to do pre-surgical chemo/radiation based on the ultrasound. Is ultrasound that reliable? Also the ultrasound did not show that the nodes were enlarged. ?? All blood work is normal. No symptoms such as bleeding ect. I would sure appreciate any input my husband is only 45 yrs old. Thanks!!!

Comments

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #2
    Hi -

    You are not only entitled to second (and third) opinions, you should
    always get one. Good physicians welcome other opinions - and it will
    give you a better understanding of your choices available.

    Chemical therapy is as invasive as radiation and surgery, and all
    should be considered with a full understanding of their good and
    bad issues.

    Make an appointment while you have the time and health to, with
    a specialist that is not part of the same group or organization as
    your present physician.

    It really is important to do that.

    Best wishes,

    John
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #3
    I don't think the decision to do pre-surgical radiation would depend on whether cancer is found in lymph nodes so much as whether the tumor is in the rectum or colon. If it's in the rectum, pre-surgical radiation is normal. I had chemo/radiation for rectal cancer (t3n0m0), as well as surgery of course, 5 years ago.

    --Greg
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #4
    PGLGreg said:

    I don't think the decision to do pre-surgical radiation would depend on whether cancer is found in lymph nodes so much as whether the tumor is in the rectum or colon. If it's in the rectum, pre-surgical radiation is normal. I had chemo/radiation for rectal cancer (t3n0m0), as well as surgery of course, 5 years ago.

    --Greg

    Lymph nodes
    Thanks Greg and yes it is rectal cancer. I was just shocked thar the MRI did not show the node involvement . I'm a newbie and have lots to learn!
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #5
    Scan
    I'm thinking the MRI might not pick up everything. For me they did a colonoscopy, then ultrasound, then CT scan. The ultrasound did not pick up any node involvement for me. Chemo then radation (at same time), surgery, more chemo. Thinking that protocol is pretty standard for rectal cancer. If your husband had no symptoms or bleeding, how did he come to do tests for colorectal cancer? Since usually they don't do colonoscopy until 50.

    Kim
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #6
    Annabelle41415 said:

    Scan
    I'm thinking the MRI might not pick up everything. For me they did a colonoscopy, then ultrasound, then CT scan. The ultrasound did not pick up any node involvement for me. Chemo then radation (at same time), surgery, more chemo. Thinking that protocol is pretty standard for rectal cancer. If your husband had no symptoms or bleeding, how did he come to do tests for colorectal cancer? Since usually they don't do colonoscopy until 50.

    Kim

    Diagnosis
    Fortunately my husband went on a football frenzie one weekend and he ate a whole bag of peanuts. He had no previous diverticulitis but two days later had a severe diverticulitis attack. Ct scan showed suspicious lesion and colonoscopy confirmed it. Thank our Lord for the peanuts! We have no colorectal surgeons in Wv so we are temporarily relocating to Fl for treatment at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Hopefully starts chemo/radiation next week!
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #7
    keystone said:

    Diagnosis
    Fortunately my husband went on a football frenzie one weekend and he ate a whole bag of peanuts. He had no previous diverticulitis but two days later had a severe diverticulitis attack. Ct scan showed suspicious lesion and colonoscopy confirmed it. Thank our Lord for the peanuts! We have no colorectal surgeons in Wv so we are temporarily relocating to Fl for treatment at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Hopefully starts chemo/radiation next week!

    I just read your bio and it
    I just read your bio and it sounds like your course of treatment was exactly like the course of treatment given to my husband. Thanks for talking with me I sure do appreciate it!!
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #8
    Get a second opinion.
    Get a second opinion! Colon cancer is extremely difficult to test for or see via a MRI & Contrast CT. Probably nearly impossible to tell from an ultrasound. MRI and Contrast CT are compared to see if they can see enlargements. Without knowing a target area my Doc told me that it is nearly impossible to find tumors. The Colon absorbs moisture and sugar. It lights up on the scans. They are hoping the Cancer (which loves sugar) will light up more in an unusual shape. Knowing where my cancer was and going through the scans it was very difficult to pick out the cancer tumor(s). (I was 44 when first diagnosed with cancer. Now 47 and doing round two. The average age for Colon cancer is 46 2/3s years old.) The lymph nodes must be biopsied to tell if they are affected. On me the surgical team tested via biopsy 28 lymph nodes near the surgical site and found zero affected.

    The only way both of my cancers were found was they blocked an organ. (First Appendix and second the colon and small intestine.) Then the surgeons went through me to find additional tumors.

    There are also a lot of symptoms to what is normal for cancer. Mine may be slightly different then your husbands, with some common issues.

    Best always, mike

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