Tough question for stage IV's

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joanneire
joanneire Member Posts: 75 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I was just wondering if it's possible for cancer to just "disappear" after a certain time and not reappear. My boyfriend had mets to his liver that had disappeared in his last scan. He's having a CT and PET scan tomorrow and I'm hoping and praying that it's clear again (he's currently on Erbitux and Xeloda). Obviously my main worry at the moment is that the cancer will have come back, but of the scan is clear do you think that I can hope that it might never come back? Is this realistic or will a liver resection be the only way to get rid of the cancer completely? I have been reading lots of posts about nutrition and this is one area that he's not so good in at all- I am trying to encourage him to eat more healthily but am making slow progress. I'd really appreciate any comments. I read this site all the time but usually don't post as I'm just so busy learning from all of you. Thanks, Jo

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  • omee
    omee Member Posts: 8
    #2
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    I'm afraid I can't help you on this as I'm still so new at this cancer stuff. Hope there are others that will be alot more positive on this subject. We hope my husbands cancer will dissapear to.
  • BusterBrown
    BusterBrown Member Posts: 221 Member
    #3
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    I was dx w/ stage IV Dec 04 with liver mets. I had three lesions on my liver, a liver resection was out of the question. After 3 cycles of chemo
    (folfox 5fu, oxaliplatin, luecovorin) my liver lesions disappeared and have yet to return. So, I guess the answer to your question would be "yes".
    Buster
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #4
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    Hi Jo - I'm Stage IV (diagnosed 5/05, colon surgery in June, 6 cycles of Xeloda/oxaliplatin/Avastin). I had one small liver met, but my current PET/CT scan is negative.

    Of course I have the same question you do. My oncologist has told me a couple of things.
    1) She has told me that I will probably be on and off some sort of chemo for the rest of my life - not a certainty - just a probability. Right now I am on a chemo break since Nov 28 - test results and doc's gut feeling I guess will determine when/if I resume chemo and for how long.

    2)According to my oncologist, the "textbook" answer for Stage IV disease is a liver resection; the "book" says that the only long term survivors have been to the OR and had liver surgery. That said, my onc also says that "the textbook needs to be re-written". In other words there is no clearcut textbook answer now - the book was written before the advent of oxaliplatin and Avastin, for example.

    So, we watch and wait. I have read the Quillen book and have ordered a juicer. I plan to start that and hopefully I'll never have to face the OR again.

    But, as you said, it's a tough question.

    Betsy
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #5
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    Hi Jo,

    I can't answer the main question but want to say my prayers are with your boyfriend. I hope the tests come back with good results.
    I do know that everywhere I look people talk about changing your diet. I am trying to follow this rule. I have also ordered a juicer, sprouter and go the "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" book by Patrick Quinlan. I have started reading this and have already started making changes. I am also going to try some supplements like the immune fx. Good Luck.

    Lisa
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #6
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    As previously stated, it's a tough question, and one that really can't be answered. Once diagnosed,it is a question that I call "negative-self talk", and avoid such speculation whenever possible, with the thought in mind that one ingredient in my healing may well be my attitude..
    positive thoughts just might bring about what you are thinking about.Do everything you can to defeat the monstor, including not allowing yourselves to believe that the buggars can come back.. Nanuk
  • heima
    heima Member Posts: 6
    #7
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    In 2003 I had liver resection. Then I had 10 months of Chemo. My doc says I cannot be cured, however, at the time there is no evidence of cancer. I am taking a natural supplement, which again the doc says doesn't really do anything. He says if natural supplements really worked they would be prescribing them, however, I have heard of many cancer patients that are living with this and their docs say it is because of the supplement.I'm going to keep taking it, and hope that the cancer won't show up again.
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #8
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    Hi Jo:
    If your boyfriend's scan came back with no tumour or evidence of disease..what would they re-sect??? therefore- if his scans show clear- then think positive that it won't ever come back (and if it does worry about it then- not now) enjoy and celebrate NED.(maybe one day my husband and I can join in our own NED celebration.)
    Bev
    Bev

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