My niece

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nikkers
nikkers Member Posts: 25
in Colorectal Cancer #1
I wrote here in October of 2010 when my 28 year old niece with a one year old baby was diagnosed with colon cancer that had metastasized to her perinea. She has been through two courses of the type of chemo that causes loss of sensation in the feet and hands, but you don't loose hair. She went in for another CT scan beginning of March and they found not just "shadows" on her liver again, but also that now there are "nodules" not just the starburst sign of cancer on the perinea. My brother just called and told me that she was admitted to hospital yesterday in severe pain and was on morphine.

I am so worried.

The family has gone through a genetic profile in England and we find that for a hundred years there have been many deaths in the family due to colon and/or breast cancer. My daughter was found to have a pre-cancerous polyp at 30 years old, and her other cousin one at 27 years old when they went in for colonoscopys during this past year.

The onc told my niece that they have two more forms of chemo to try before she is ready to work with the research hospital in England. She asked about being a research subject.

My concern right now is... because my niece has been admitted and due for another Cat Scan tomorrow does this mean that she doesn't have much time left in your opinion? I know people can be in severe pain from the cancer especially near the end - she is not on any chemo at the present time as they were waiting for her to have a week's vacation in Majorca from which she, obviously, has returned.

Any help would be so appreciated.

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  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #2
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    Nikkers
    Hi

    Have the words "Lynch Syndrome" or "Signet Ring Cell" been used since you've had he genetic testing? These are the genetic type of cancers within the colon cancer umbrella...with dxs coming so early, it leads me to believe this may be.

    Both of these cancers are very agressive.

    The CT scan they are ordering would be pretty standard given her history...they will compare this one to the other one done at the beginning of the month to see if there has been growth and/or spread and to see if there are any other type of visible changes.

    If she is in pain and on morphine, it's not indicative at this time if the 'end is near.' It could be that the tumors have grown to such an extent that they are exerting pressure on nerves or organs, and thus the pain - and the need to control that pain.

    This upcoming CT should help to clarify what she is up against - and then her team can put a plan in place to address it. I would imagine they will put her back on chemo as soon as possible to try and prevent further growth and/or spread. And of course, the chemo could shrink some of the tumor which would help alleviate the pain.

    This is just my opinion as none of us are qualified to make medical diagnoses...I would speak to the oncologist to see if she has Lynch Syndrome or Signet Cell, as the treatments for those type of agressive cancers have varying results due to their aggressive nature.

    I'm so sorry that you are all faced with this troubling news...just gather as much information as you can and then come back here and talk to us - and we'll see if we can provide you with any more information. The more that you know, the better we can talk about this.

    I'm wishing you the best in the meantime.

    -Craig
  • nikkers
    nikkers Member Posts: 25
    #3
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    Sundanceh said:

    Nikkers
    Hi

    Have the words "Lynch Syndrome" or "Signet Ring Cell" been used since you've had he genetic testing? These are the genetic type of cancers within the colon cancer umbrella...with dxs coming so early, it leads me to believe this may be.

    Both of these cancers are very agressive.

    The CT scan they are ordering would be pretty standard given her history...they will compare this one to the other one done at the beginning of the month to see if there has been growth and/or spread and to see if there are any other type of visible changes.

    If she is in pain and on morphine, it's not indicative at this time if the 'end is near.' It could be that the tumors have grown to such an extent that they are exerting pressure on nerves or organs, and thus the pain - and the need to control that pain.

    This upcoming CT should help to clarify what she is up against - and then her team can put a plan in place to address it. I would imagine they will put her back on chemo as soon as possible to try and prevent further growth and/or spread. And of course, the chemo could shrink some of the tumor which would help alleviate the pain.

    This is just my opinion as none of us are qualified to make medical diagnoses...I would speak to the oncologist to see if she has Lynch Syndrome or Signet Cell, as the treatments for those type of agressive cancers have varying results due to their aggressive nature.

    I'm so sorry that you are all faced with this troubling news...just gather as much information as you can and then come back here and talk to us - and we'll see if we can provide you with any more information. The more that you know, the better we can talk about this.

    I'm wishing you the best in the meantime.

    -Craig

    My Niece
    Thank you so much Craig. You are so kind to reply and give me the information you have. I think I can maybe sleep tonight now!

    I live here in the States (Oregon) and its quite difficult to have my family ask for information in England... they are so much more reticent about asking Drs. anything, but I will see if the genetic profile they have mentions "Lynch Syndrome" or "Signet Ring Cell". My brother is a bit overwhelmed with everything so I'm not sure that he will be able to answer me right now. Unfortunately her oncologist is out of town at the moment which will make them even more nervous about the CT and someone else interpreting it.

    Thank you so much again and I will check back in when I have more information.

    Nikky

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