spreading into mesentery

Ckat
Ckat Member Posts: 17
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Wondeing what you all know about mesentery? my father who is stage 4 recently showed on the scans that there is 'activity' on his abdomnial lining (mesentery).  they are not sure if this is lymph nodes, tumors or even swelling. he was given a 6 week break from chemo as he was on it for 1.5 every two weeks but now b/c of this new scan they are putting him back on chemo asap to see if it will help this new activity.  has this happened to anyone? is this a bad sign? can it be beat with chemo? i know it's hard to say as everyone responds differntly, but just looking for some input.  thx.

Comments

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #2
    I had spread to the peritoneum

    (the mesentary is a specific part of the peritoneum) and was able to have it resected.  From what I've read chemo is not usually effective in this area.  Some people have a procedure known as HIPEC, in which the area is treated directly with chemo (and resected), although I haven't seen too many people get great results with that procedure.

    I think if it was me I would want a 2nd opinion before doing more systemic chemo.  In particular, I would want a PET scan done, to see if this area "lights up" in a way to suggest that it's def cancer.  Has your dad had one of those?

     

  • Ckat
    Ckat Member Posts: 17
    #3
    yes to pet scan

    he has had one.  this is where they saw the non specific activity on the abdominal lining which they referred to as mesentery. 

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #4
    Ckat said:

    yes to pet scan

    he has had one.  this is where they saw the non specific activity on the abdominal lining which they referred to as mesentery. 

    Maybe time for a 2nd opinion,

    if he hasn't already had one?  As things get more complicated, it can be helpful to go further afield for advice, esp to a tx center that specializes in cancer (again, if he's not already at one!). I would want to talk to a colorectal surgeon as well.  If he's working solely with an oncologist, the focus there tends to be on chemo alone, from what I've seen.  Not all oncs are aware of what is surgically possible, so it's good to cover all the bases.

    I'm glad he has you helping him out.  It's awfully hard to do the information gathering as the patient.

Discussion Boards