New & need advise

changing
changing Member Posts: 134
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone, my spouse was dx'd with colon ca in Aug, had surgery and now stage 3c with 16 0f 20 positive lymph nodes. His CEA was 4.8 before surgery and went to 4.7 after so Pet scan was done. They note a one 1cm node on the oppisite side lighting up aggressively". Primary oncologist thinks it is Ca and needs surgery.. But surgeon (oncology) thinks it may be an "infected node" that needs only a biopsy.
Due do it already being a stage 3c ...I don't think they should chance it...anyone have any insight? Should we ask the surgeon to do the surgery? By the way he's had 3 chemo rounds and it's down to 4.0 now. We'd so appreciate any insight! Thanks in advance. Pray you too are doing well!

Comments

  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #2
    Hi,

    I am so glad that you found our site, but I am sorry for your husband's diagnosis. It's unfortunate they didn't do the PET prior to his original surgery or maybe they did give him one. Anyway, I do know that inflammation can cause a PET scan to light up. I guess I would want to make sure it was cancerous before submitting to the surgery.
    Please keep us posted on your husband's progress.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #3
    Kanort said:

    Hi,

    I am so glad that you found our site, but I am sorry for your husband's diagnosis. It's unfortunate they didn't do the PET prior to his original surgery or maybe they did give him one. Anyway, I do know that inflammation can cause a PET scan to light up. I guess I would want to make sure it was cancerous before submitting to the surgery.
    Please keep us posted on your husband's progress.

    Hugs,

    Kay

    Hiya....a message from oz to welcome you to our "family".You will often see here a reference to a friend called NED. That is when the time comes to tell everyone your hubby will be "no evidence of disease". That time WILL come and hopefully your hubby can get thru his chemo with few side effects. Hopefully this affected node will only be a small glitch in the journey.Our best to you and your hubby. ....BELIEVE!
    Cheers, Ross n Jen
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #4
    Hi,
    Always sorry to meet new members but happy to welcome you. I would think that whether or not to remove the lymph node would depend upon how accessible it is. If it is easily accessible one is probably better off in having it removed. If not then a needle biopsy is probably best. Something for sure should be done with it.
    Good luck. You have our prayers.

    ****
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #5
    First of all, welcome to the semi-colons!!! (You are honorary through hubby).

    PET scans 'light up' areas because there are cells taking in the radiated glucose. This can be an infection, or the beast. I agree more testing should be done before a decision for surgery is made. Has he had any surgery yet? I ended up with a full course of chemo/rads before surgery, but I was only early stage 3-1node.

    How about a biopsy? Have you gone back and shared with the primary onc?

    Hugs, Kathi
  • kerry
    kerry Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #6
    I always like to be aggressive with this beast, but I think a biopsy would be in order before surgery. Surgery on one node??? My onc. treats with chemo first to see if that takes care of it!

    Targeted radiation was also an option I had with nodes that appeared on my PET/CAT scan.

    Let us know how he is doing. We will hold you up in our prayers.

    Kerry
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #7
    Hi,

    I want to welcome you and hubby to the semi-colons. Big Hugs to both of you! I'm stage 3 with 1 node. Dx in Dec 2005 and I've gone through chemo already. I would agree with the others that your hubby should have more tests before undergoing another sugery. Especially when he is already doing chemo which lowers your immune system. Maybe the chemo will take care of the spot instead of doing surgery. I hope your hubby is doing ok with the chemo. If you have any questions, please post them here or e-mail any one of us on this site. Sounds like you already have a great attitude. Take care.

    Lisa F.
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #8
    ahoy, changing -

    First let me echo my cohorts welcome and lament that you're here but glad you are.

    Second, you have some great advice here. A couple of things I would like to stress to you as you and your spouse begin this roller coaster ride:

    1. Don't hangyour hat on CEA numbers. 4.8 to 4.7 to 4.0 really isn't a significant change. By the way, anything less than 5.0 is considered in the "normal" range - I had active disease and my CEA was below 1. The CEA test is an indicator - and a fairly weak one at that - at best.

    2. Remember that your doctors work for YOU. they are your advisors and you are their client. They are on YOUR payroll. You have the final say about what happens with your treatment (as long as it is reasonable, of course). if they don't want to work with you, find an employee who does.

    3. If you have a question ask it and make the professionals answer it to your satisfaction. You can always come here, too. We're not docs, but there are decades of cancer experience residing at this board - someone has probably walked a similar, if not the same, road you and your husband are presently on. He or she can talk to you from personal experience.

    4. Keep a good attitude - both of you. that's 80% of your cure right there!

    Be well.

    - SpongeBob
  • goldfinch
    goldfinch Member Posts: 735
    #9
    Not sure what I'd do in your place, but just wanted to offer you my prayers for the best outcome.
    Mary

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