Mutations vs no mutations

Kazenmax

So while I have been dealing with rectal cancer since May 2016, I have never understood the whole mutation thing. I know that sounds crazy but I just never focused on it. 

My oncologist told me that my tumor that was removed from my lung was rectal cancer but not the mutated kind. And that was all he said. To be honest, i don't even know if that's a good thing.

I know I will definitely ask him when I see him tomorrow but if anyone can put it in plain english for me, I would appreciate it.

k

NewHere

Mutations

There are many mutations that can happen in cancer.  Basically you have your garden variety standard colon cancer, then you have cancer that has variations (Mutations).  There are countless mutations possible.  Depending on the mutations, some treatments may or may not work as well.  Common places where mutations are looked at include KRAS.  There are also things such as whether tumors have certain "repair" characteristics.  Microsatellite Instable responds to immunontherapy in some cases.  Microsatellite Stable is generally not responsive to immunotherapy at this time.

Being told a generic answer of "non-mutated"  is something you need to dig into.  This includes further testing on the tumor for a wide range of mutations which can indicate a proper course of treatment.   This link here descibes the testing Memorial Sloan Kettering does.  There are others out there.  I do not have the links, but people here have mentioned getting extensive tests done to help planning.  (Tarasnfl - sorry spelling it wrong - has information on that.)

Kazenmax

NewHere said:

Mutations

There are many mutations that can happen in cancer.  Basically you have your garden variety standard colon cancer, then you have cancer that has variations (Mutations).  There are countless mutations possible.  Depending on the mutations, some treatments may or may not work as well.  Common places where mutations are looked at include KRAS.  There are also things such as whether tumors have certain "repair" characteristics.  Microsatellite Instable responds to immunontherapy in some cases.  Microsatellite Stable is generally not responsive to immunotherapy at this time.

Being told a generic answer of "non-mutated"  is something you need to dig into.  This includes further testing on the tumor for a wide range of mutations which can indicate a proper course of treatment.   This link here descibes the testing Memorial Sloan Kettering does.  There are others out there.  I do not have the links, but people here have mentioned getting extensive tests done to help planning.  (Tarasnfl - sorry spelling it wrong - has information on that.)

Thank you so much. I will ask

Thank you so much. I will ask my doctor for details.

k

JanJan63

Interesting stuff. I've never

Interesting stuff. I've never been told I had one or that I didn't so I assume I don't. I didn't realize there were many types. 

Jan