colon or lung ???

cheil
cheil Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I had stage 3 colon 3 years ago, now have multiples in both lungs,(nothing visible from inside lungs), liver clear, how can I tell if this is secondary colon, or primary lung disease.

Comments

  • tmd
    tmd Member Posts: 39
    #2
    Cheil,
    My wife has it in her lungs too. She also had it in the liver a year ago and had a liver resection. Now its in her lungs and just finished her treatments, but it is still called colon cancer.

    Mike
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
    Your doctor should be able to tell you if it is primary lung cancer or secondary colon cancer . they should do a biopsy and that would determine what kind it is.

    maureen
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #4
    I had a single tumour in one lung, 2 years after stage 3 rectal cancer. There was some debate about whether it might be primary (lung) or secondary (colorectal). As Maureen/Moesima says, the only way of telling is through biopsy. In my case, two biopsy attempts were unsuccessful -- the tumour was deep and hard to access. I had surgery and that biopsy showed it was colorectal (metastisis). My understanding was that this was always the more likely explaination (at least in my case). Wishing you all the best.
    Tara
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #5
    Yes, a biopsy is the way to determine which kind it is, though it seems likely it's colon, since that is a common site. I had a biopsy to determine if my lung tumors were colon or other. It was a pretty painless procedure for me. Currently on hold from chemo because they have "stabilized", ie haven't gotten bigger, haven't gotten smaller. There are lots of treatments out there now. I know how devastating it is to hear this news, but hang in there. Take a deep breath and visit with your doctor to find out the next step.
    Mary
  • cheil
    cheil Member Posts: 28
    #6
    goldfinch said:

    Yes, a biopsy is the way to determine which kind it is, though it seems likely it's colon, since that is a common site. I had a biopsy to determine if my lung tumors were colon or other. It was a pretty painless procedure for me. Currently on hold from chemo because they have "stabilized", ie haven't gotten bigger, haven't gotten smaller. There are lots of treatments out there now. I know how devastating it is to hear this news, but hang in there. Take a deep breath and visit with your doctor to find out the next step.
    Mary

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.
  • HisJoy
    HisJoy Member Posts: 113
    #7
    cheil said:

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.

    Metastasized colon cancer is generally treated with FOLFOX with Avastin, I believe. I know several recurring colon cancer patients at my onc's office and this is what they're on. I'm on the same thing - side effects aren't terrible. We can get through this!
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #8
    cheil said:

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.

    I'm on FOLFOX (oxaliplatin + 5FU + leucovorin). Mine involves a 48 hr infusion, every 2 weeks, for 6 months.
    Best wishes
    Tara
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #9
    cheil said:

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.

    I've been on 5FU, leicovorin, camptosar, and avastin
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #10
    cheil said:

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.

    I've been on 5FU, leicovorin, camptosar, and avastin
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #11
    cheil said:

    thanks all for the info and encouragement, can anyone advise whats available currently by way of chemo for this, I originally had 5FU and folonic acid, thanks.

    I get 5FU + Leucovorin + Avastin + Oxaliplatin for three days, every two weeks. Also some other anti-nausea drugs to go with it all.

    Best of luck on your upcoming treatments. Please keep us informed.

    Rodney

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