Any feedback appreciated

Hopeful0524
Hopeful0524 Member Posts: 22
in Colorectal Cancer #1

HI everyone, this is a wonderful network.  I've been reading just to learn, but I still have questions.  Unfortunately, all I have from my biopsy is pretty 'medical' and I have no clue what to make of it.

My GI doctor at first said it was "of benign appearance" but imagine her and my surprise when it came back with "invasive adenocarcinoma"

The report also states " adenomatous changes" "Infiltrating neoplastic glands" "nuclear stratification with prominent nucleoli" and "desmoplastic stromal response"

Much appreciated if anyone has any information to share.

Currently waiting to hear from the oncologist for further action.

Comments

  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #2
    Life Extension

    You might want to read the series of articles on cancer, surgery, supplements, CAM and colorectal cancer at Life Extension Foundation.  My wife and I feel that they were real life savers, especially the preoperative/perioperative cimetidine, and celebrex parts.  In the surgical periods, my wife took both cimetidine, and celebrex for 2-3 weeks.  

    She also has used cimetidine long term for over 4 years as an additional targeted therapy because both her CA 19-9 and CEA were higher than normal. 

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #3
    I'm sorry you got such an unpleasant surprise.

    It's hard to go from benign to cancerous like that. :(

    I really don't know about the medical terminology being used, hopefully your doctor will be able to tell you more, and then you can come back and we will answer any questions you might have as best we can.

    We've all been where you are right now, and while it's not easy, it can be a little less stressful knowing that others have gotten through it.

    Keep us posted!  AA

  • Hopeful0524
    Hopeful0524 Member Posts: 22
    #4
    annalexandria said:

    I'm sorry you got such an unpleasant surprise.

    It's hard to go from benign to cancerous like that. :(

    I really don't know about the medical terminology being used, hopefully your doctor will be able to tell you more, and then you can come back and we will answer any questions you might have as best we can.

    We've all been where you are right now, and while it's not easy, it can be a little less stressful knowing that others have gotten through it.

    Keep us posted!  AA

    Thanks for your encouraging words

    My GI doctor immediately said I had to have a resection of the colon!  she even had her nurse schedule the operation, etc.  Can you immagine my shock when I heard the words "we'll have to cut part of the colon".....just like that.  Two inches to be exact. 

    Needless to say I'm looking for a second opinion.  If a resection is what I have to have, then I'll do it, but it just seemed quite drastic and it all happened in a matter of minutes. 

    The biopsy states invasive aggressive, so something does need to happen.

    Unfortunately, the second opinion is taking forever. 

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #5
    Hopeful0524 said:

    Thanks for your encouraging words

    My GI doctor immediately said I had to have a resection of the colon!  she even had her nurse schedule the operation, etc.  Can you immagine my shock when I heard the words "we'll have to cut part of the colon".....just like that.  Two inches to be exact. 

    Needless to say I'm looking for a second opinion.  If a resection is what I have to have, then I'll do it, but it just seemed quite drastic and it all happened in a matter of minutes. 

    The biopsy states invasive aggressive, so something does need to happen.

    Unfortunately, the second opinion is taking forever. 

    Two inches?

    Two inches is not much at all. I'd be surprised if they didn't take a little more out. I guess it depends how big the tumour is. I know they like to get decent margins. 

    But don't worry, two inches, four, ten, you can happily live without it. 

    I do hope it is high enough in the colon that you do not need to get a colostomy, even a temprorary one. 

    When do you see the Oncologist? 

     

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #6
    I'm still learning myself

    but I wish you the best. There are so many wonderful people on this site with great information and lots of encouragement. Welcome!

    Lin

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
    Sorry

    Sorry you got that news.  It is never easy to hear.  It's good that they are getting you scheduled for a resection but a second opinion is exactly what you need and make sure that it is a surgeon that deals with colon/rectal and not just a regular surgeon.  2 inches is nothing for a resection but usually they need to assess the situation first.  Wishing you the best in finding a second opinion.  We are here to help you get through this so if you need our knowledge or experiences, please ask. 

    Kim

  • Hopeful0524
    Hopeful0524 Member Posts: 22
    #8
    Trubrit said:

    Two inches?

    Two inches is not much at all. I'd be surprised if they didn't take a little more out. I guess it depends how big the tumour is. I know they like to get decent margins. 

    But don't worry, two inches, four, ten, you can happily live without it. 

    I do hope it is high enough in the colon that you do not need to get a colostomy, even a temprorary one. 

    When do you see the Oncologist? 

     

    I'm ready (or mentally I

    I'm ready (or mentally I think I am ) for whatever the experts tell me.  I was told I have been incredibly lucky to have found it so early.  It was a 2" tumor. Was cut out, but due to its aggressiveness and the fact that it had infiltrateglands thing (?), the area needs to be byopsed too. 

    Lon the other hand I'm tod a CT scan may be the way to go.

     

    ,the appointment with the oncologist is pending getting all the lab reports back. A week maybe?

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #9
    Hopeful0524 said:

    Thanks for your encouraging words

    My GI doctor immediately said I had to have a resection of the colon!  she even had her nurse schedule the operation, etc.  Can you immagine my shock when I heard the words "we'll have to cut part of the colon".....just like that.  Two inches to be exact. 

    Needless to say I'm looking for a second opinion.  If a resection is what I have to have, then I'll do it, but it just seemed quite drastic and it all happened in a matter of minutes. 

    The biopsy states invasive aggressive, so something does need to happen.

    Unfortunately, the second opinion is taking forever. 

    Luckily we have about 20 miles of colon

    I exaggerate a bit but they really can take quite a lot without much impact.  Your goal is to ensure that that there are no stray cancer cells still in the area, and surgery is a very good way to do that.  I assume that the "infiltration" part of things refers to the fact that they in fact did not get all the cancer the first time, so getting that stuff out asap is important.  They should also remove a fair number of lymph nodes in the area.  I had 38 taken (5 of which were cancerous) and I personally feel that this helped in my overall survival, as it may have shut down one of the main ways in which the cancer travels in the body.

    Surgery is your best bet for a cure.  If it was me, I wouldn't wait too long to pursue this avenue.

  • Hopeful0524
    Hopeful0524 Member Posts: 22
    #10
    annalexandria said:

    Luckily we have about 20 miles of colon

    I exaggerate a bit but they really can take quite a lot without much impact.  Your goal is to ensure that that there are no stray cancer cells still in the area, and surgery is a very good way to do that.  I assume that the "infiltration" part of things refers to the fact that they in fact did not get all the cancer the first time, so getting that stuff out asap is important.  They should also remove a fair number of lymph nodes in the area.  I had 38 taken (5 of which were cancerous) and I personally feel that this helped in my overall survival, as it may have shut down one of the main ways in which the cancer travels in the body.

    Surgery is your best bet for a cure.  If it was me, I wouldn't wait too long to pursue this avenue.

    Thanks You

    I'm set for a battery of tests this Friday, and more on Monday.  I don't what what prompted my team of doctors to do that, but I"m sure they have their reasons.

    I won't complain about surgery as long as it is to take any trace of cancer out, be that colon, lymph nodes, etc.  I agree it should be done ASAP, but the doctors want to do CT scans first.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #11
    Hopeful0524 said:

    Thanks You

    I'm set for a battery of tests this Friday, and more on Monday.  I don't what what prompted my team of doctors to do that, but I"m sure they have their reasons.

    I won't complain about surgery as long as it is to take any trace of cancer out, be that colon, lymph nodes, etc.  I agree it should be done ASAP, but the doctors want to do CT scans first.

    Yes def scans first!

    Want to make sure they have a good picture of what all needs to be removed.  I meant asap only in the sense of not waiting months, or passing on surgery all together.

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