Large Mass

jaymarie70

Hi, my husband was recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. He has 4 nodules in his lungs and a whopping 20cm mass in his liver.

We will meet an oncologist on Monday. Can anyone kindly explain the most likely treatment he will receive or if there any long term survivors out there??

Its been a really difficult last few days. My heart is breaking for my husband and kids.

Many thanks in anticipation

SnapDragon2

Have 2-3 consults before deciding on a treatment plan. Weigh the options first, research them then decide.

beaumontdave

Hi JayMarie, that is a large mass in the liver, I'm fairly certain they'll want chemo to shrink that down, before any other options become possible. Today's your meet with the onc. I hope you hear a clear plan about what they think treatment should be.......................................Dave

Diane_K

I hope the meeting with your husband's oncologist answered some of your questions. I'm a long-term survivor of over five years. My colon cancer spread to my liver and lungs. My tumors were in areas that were accessible for surgery, and I had chemo.

I'm hoping for the best for your husband.

Chris2328

If they prescribe a Folfox regimen, make sure you ask for a DPD deficiency test. It is not routinely performed in the US, but should be. If he is DPD deficient, one of the drugs in the Folfox mix acts as a neurotoxin. I turned out to have this deficiency, and was very relieved. Folfox is commonly prescribed for colorectal cancers, so this is something to keep in mind.

I am so sorry that your family is going through this. One step at a time. Thinking of you. XXOO

gmtexas

My thoughts and prayers for your husband, you, and family. I must leave treatment options to the oncologists, as my insight is from my personal experience as patient. I concur with SnapDragon2; multiple opinions, to me, have been a critical success factor in my strategy and tactics to manage late stage colon cancer as a chronic disease. As far as hope … absolutely, as treatments and knowledge of the disease continue to progress. Diane K shared that she is a long term survivor of Stage IV colon cancer, and though I am new to CSN, I have seen other members share the same. I am entering my eleventh year as an advanced cancer (Stage IV) survivor, managing my disease, to date, with combination of chemo regimens, surgeries and most recently, a phase 2 chemo/immunotherapy clinical trial, that although did not achieve FDA approval, I was blessed with a complete response (currently in remission since January 2022). So yes, there is hope. Take care and best.

beaumontdave

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1699460#Comment_1699460

I'm happy to hear of your response to treatment, the contrast of the terrified newbie and one who's managing the chronic battle of late-stage cancer, with a steady mindset is a sharp contrast we see a lot here, but it always inspires me. Continuing good fortune to you........................................Dave

impactzone

Hello,

16 year stage 4 survivor here. Mets to liver and lungs. After initial colon surgery at Stanford I had chemo first to see how it effected tumors...they shrank ( Folfox)... liver surgery.... 6 more months of chemo... lung surgery... and then oner the next 5 years I had mets pop up in lungs. I was able to do surgery (VATS) on most of them. I always fought for surgery if that option exists. You have to look at it like a marathon and take care of yourself...caregivers must have support somewhere and be healthy. All my best

Chip

gmtexas

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1699523#Comment_1699523

Dave, I neglected to respond; Thanks for your kind words and best wishes for continued remission. Take care and good day - Greg