Need Positive Thoughts

jcavanaugh
jcavanaugh Member Posts: 100
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I posted a couple of times since 9/29 about my dad. He was diagnosed in 2002 with stage IV. CEA has always been a good indicator for him. He had recurrences (1-2 spots) in April 2004, January 2005, and October 2005 (all were ablated or surgically removed). His recent pet scan in June 2006 was clean. All of a sudden his cea jumped from 3.9 on 9/1/06 to 55.1 on 9/26/06. The pet scan indicated multiple areas of hypermetabolic activity. We are not sure what is what. We went to a surgeon last week who was full of doom and gloom. So, today we went to see the Johns Hopkins surgeon. He has given us hope. He is going to review all the scans to see exactly what we are dealing with and start my dad on chemo (possibly johns hopkins trials) immediately. He did not rule out surgery down the road and he told us something that we did not know. Chemo can get rid of cancer. Our old oncologist told us that chemo could only make it disappear for a period of time. So please keep us in your thoughts. This is the best site for support. I have a quick question. In 2004, 2005, and 2006, my dad's colon (near surgical site) lite up on a pet scan. We had colonoscopies in 2004 and 2005 (found nothing). Once again, it is suspicious (near surgical site). We are scheduled for a colonscopy next week. Last year, the colonoscopy doctor said my dad could wait 3 years. Has anyone experienced this problem with their colon. Is there a set time for it to return to the colon? Any info would be useful. Thanks for everything.

Comments

  • nudgie
    nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
    #2
    I am sooo sorry to hear about your Dad. I am VERY HAPPY to hear that you are getting second opinions. It never hurts to get 3rd or 4th with it comes to this beast. I could not believe what your Onc Doc stated that chemo does not get rid of cancer only makes it disappear. Will what about all the 5, 10 & 20+ survivors we have out there?

    John Hopkins is a good place for a second opinion. There are many other treatment facilities out there as well. All you have to do is "search".

    Keep us posted. Huges and kisses.
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #3
    Hi,

    I'm sending lots of positive vibes for your dad. I seem to remember a post that what they are seeing at the surgical site could be a "false positive" from the scar tissue. I'm sure others will post here about that. I think your first onc is not the one you should go to. Of course the chemo gets rid of the cancer or why would we be taking it? It sounds like your second opinion doc is working towards what is best for your dad. HUGS to you and dad.

    Lisa F.
  • houseofclay
    houseofclay Member Posts: 63
    #4
    One possible explanation for false lites on a PET scan, especially in the colon, is the way a PET is done. Radioactive glucose is the solution for a PET scan and the radiologist is looking for metabolic uptake. What does the colon do? It metabolizes. So what doctors frequently see is lots of colon activity in PET scans that is not cancer. I think that PET technology is great for lots of things but not colorectal detection. Hope that helps explain what might be going on with your dad.

    Johns Hopkins is first rate and you should feel good about the standard of care there.
  • chynabear
    chynabear Member Posts: 481 Member
    #5
    houseofclay said:

    One possible explanation for false lites on a PET scan, especially in the colon, is the way a PET is done. Radioactive glucose is the solution for a PET scan and the radiologist is looking for metabolic uptake. What does the colon do? It metabolizes. So what doctors frequently see is lots of colon activity in PET scans that is not cancer. I think that PET technology is great for lots of things but not colorectal detection. Hope that helps explain what might be going on with your dad.

    Johns Hopkins is first rate and you should feel good about the standard of care there.

    I don't have any answers for you but I just wanted you to know that I am sending positive vibes your way and praying for the best!
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #6
    nudgie said:

    I am sooo sorry to hear about your Dad. I am VERY HAPPY to hear that you are getting second opinions. It never hurts to get 3rd or 4th with it comes to this beast. I could not believe what your Onc Doc stated that chemo does not get rid of cancer only makes it disappear. Will what about all the 5, 10 & 20+ survivors we have out there?

    John Hopkins is a good place for a second opinion. There are many other treatment facilities out there as well. All you have to do is "search".

    Keep us posted. Huges and kisses.

    My great radiologist saw PET activity at the site of the resection (anastomosis), but his reports always said "consistent with post-surgical activity" - never a cause for concern. There is a lot of healing going on there - thus a lot of metabolism - but if the PET "light up" corresponds to the site of healing, it is not even really a "false positive" - it is just what you would expect and not anything of concern.

    Take care,
    Betsy

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