New to this journey

Dear Vickie:

 Your concerns are valid and justify being upset.  Shall I say welcome to the “Clubbed-in-the-head” sorority?  As for age, I know what you mean about being 69, but not really feeling like that many years have gone by. I’m well past 69.   My husband and I have raised 4 grandchildren.  They all say we don’t “act like we are 77 and 79.  They say we don’t act like “old” people.  I suppose that’s because they’ve “grown up along with us” and both they and we have grown older together.  The youngest is now 23 and the oldest 31.  Yipes, I really am older than I feel.  So until our bodies begin to break down, age is irrelevant, is it not? 

 So before I chat on, I will tell you that I am not personally familiar with Signet Ring Cell cancer of any type.  I’ve not been posting on this site very long so others that have been here longer will have a better recollection of other’s stories.

 Now Vickie, you are making every effort to find the source of your problems.  All the tests you’ve had are important.  And at this point nothing is confirmed, but the fact that your Gastroenterologist indicates that you do have “Signet ring cancerous cells” in your body.   Now understand that I’m not a doctor, so anything I say should be discussed with your doctor.  However, I have been reading about different types of cancer, since my husband was diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer, Stage III, back in 2002.  Thank God he had successful pre-op treatments of Carboplatin & 5-FU plus radiation, then a minimally invasive Esophagectomy at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  So I know what you mean when you say you’ve got a whole lot more living to do.  All of a sudden seemingly your whole life flashes before your eyes, and you think, “Dear God…not cancer…not now…I’ve got so much more to do!” 

 In 2012, I was diagnosed with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer.  A CT scan first revealed multiple tumors in the peritoneal fluid in my abdomen.  I sought a SECOND OPINION @ UPMC, since my husband had been treated there previously.  A PET/CT scan and exploratory surgery revealed that the ovaries were cancerous as well.  So regarding treatment, it didn’t matter if the cancer had spread from my ovaries to my abdomen, or the other way round.  It was in the Peritoneal fluid as well and was not just confined to my ovaries.  So my initial treatments were Carboplatin/Taxol, and then Cytoreductive surgery in 2013.  Enough about me though.

 Your gastroenterologist says he thinks the cancerous cells are coming from the mass in your abdomen.  He stated that he thought it was coming from the ovaries, but he wasn't certain if the ovary was the primary site due to the cells being signet ring. From what I have gleaned about Signet cell cancer, I can understand why he isn’t certain of the origin.  In an effort to help you learn more about “Signet Cell Cancer” I’ve been doing a bit of research.  I will put one reference below my signature for you to read.  It is from the UK, but I’ve been referencing this site for years.  It is a reputable source of information, and written in a “user-friendly” matter. 

 Stating from the *article below:  “…Cancers are named after the body organ they grow in, as well as the type of cell. So a signet cell cancer of the glandular epithelial cells lining the stomach would be signet cell stomach cancer. And doctors will treat it as a stomach cancer. If the cells were in the bowel, then it would be a bowel cancer and treated as such…Under a microscope the cells look like signet rings and so they are known as signet cells or signet ring cells…”

 So Vickie, the more I read, I am seeing “signet ring cancer cells” are associated with different organs, such as the stomach, colon, cervix, breast carcinoma, and searches relate to Primary Signet Ring Cell Mucinous Ovarian Carcinoma as well.  So I understand that he is trying to decide whether to refer you to an oncologist or a gynecologic oncologist.  If it is related to the stomach and gastric region, he would want you to see an oncologist.  On the other hand, if it relates to the ovaries, then a gynecologic oncologist would be the one to see.  Either one will have to do more extensive testing to determine exactly what type of cancer is present. Either way, I would want a SECOND opinion.  So if I were you, I would ask for copies of all my tests, and copies of discs of any CT scans, etc. at the time of testing.  It would save having to go back and request all those kinds of records.  It is good to keep in your own personal file, even if you don’t seek a second opinion.  But I would highly recommend one.  It will either confirm the original diagnosis, or perhaps order more testing, and then suggest best way forward.

 Vickie, I understand completely your not knowing which way to turn.  I would love to be able to help you, but this is not anything I am personally familiar with.  Others here will probably be able to offer more answers.  However, I will pray that the Gastroenterologist will make the right decision, and that God will give you the inner strength to persevere in all the days to follow. 

 Prayerfully Loretta

 Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV~first diagnosed in November of 2012.

 *http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancers-in-general/cancer-questions/what-is-a-signet-cell-cancer

 “Signet cell cancer - This page is about signet cell cancer. You can find information about

 What signet cells are…….What signet cell cancer is

• What signet cells are

  Our body is made up of billions of different types of cells that can only be seen under a microscope. Doctors group these cells according to the job they do or the type of body tissue they make up. Epithelial tissue is basically skin tissue, covering and lining the body both inside and out. Signet cells are a type of epithelial cell called glandular cells.

   What signet cell cancer is

  Signet cell cancer is also called signet ring cell cancer. Signet cell cancer is a rare type of cancer found most often in the glandular cells lining the stomach. But it can also develop in the bowel, breast, pancreas, bladder, prostate or lung. Under a microscope the cells look like signet rings and so they are known as signet cells or signet ring cells.

  Cancers are named after the body organ they grow in, as well as the type of cell. So a signet cell cancer of the glandular epithelial cells lining the stomach would be signet cell stomach cancer. And doctors will treat it as a stomach cancer. If the cells were in the bowel, then it would be a bowel cancer and treated as such.

So if you have a signet cell cancer, you need information about where in your body the cancer started. There is a list of cancer types on this website, where you can choose the right one for you.”

Hello again Vickie,

Nothing like spending a long time writing info that you need, and the old familiar "SECURITY ERROR" pops on the screen and won't let me transmit it.  It seems that anytime I have a web link address in it, that it throws the whole letter OUT.  I have complained and sometimes the letters go through, and the next time they don't. 

You didn't miss anything by not being able to go to CTCA.  They're good on advertising, but we had a previous experience with a veteran that wanted to go there for Esophageal Cancer.  He was turned down, they didn't accept his insurance either.  I haven't found them to be any better than other leading medical hospitals.  DUKE is great, and I suggest you plan on gathering all info and schedule a 2nd opinion there asap, just to be certain that your diagnosis and treatment plan is the best one. 

Will try again tomorrow to send you the info.  Take charge and don't let this get the best of you, anxiety filled, though it is.  One test at a time, one step at a time, but quickly, so you can know what you're really dealing with.

Love & prayers,

Loretta