Rectal cancer metastasized to lung

UncleBuddy
UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
edited August 2013 in Colorectal Cancer #1

Had non-hodgkins lymphoma 13 years ago. Got rectal cancer in 2011. It was stage IIa. They did chemo and radiation, removed the tumor and put in an ostomy bag. Then they reversed the ostomy and did more chemo. All looked good for almost a year. CEA levels went up so the doctor did a CT scan. The scan showed nodules in both lungs (3 total). Had a needle biopsy done and found cancer cells. The nodules are tiny so they didn't get enough tissue to determine if it's metastasized from rectal cancer or if it's a new lung cancer. Doctor thinks it's a rectal cancer, but to be sure, they are going to remove nodule and also do an MRI to make sure there are no nodules on the liver. Since it's probably stage 4 cancer, can anyone tell me the survival rate is with chemo?? without?? They have to use different drugs this time. Just want to know what's coming this way! :)

«1

Comments

  • LivinginNH
    LivinginNH Member Posts: 1,456 Member
    Only God knows for

    Only God knows for certain...

    A short story;

    When I was 16 and had just gotten my drivers license, my dear elderly aunt called me to ask if I would come to pick her up and go to the hospital since she wasn't feeling well.  When we arrived, the doctor told me that her heart was in very bad shape and she may not last the week.   To this she simply said, "Oh nonsense, I'll be back home in a few days, even though her prognosis was grim.  But home she went! And as time went by, she attended three of my graduations, attended my wedding, saw her grandchildren born, attended her own son's funeral (officer killed in line of duty), and watched the towers fall on 9/11/2001, but then lose all of her memory on 9/12/01.  It was if that attack was just too much to take.  But you know what?  She OUTLIVED her healthy cardiac doctor by 15 years!!!   So my point of course is, only God knows when your time is up.  Just enjoy your time on this beautiful earth while you can.

    All my best,

    Cyn

  • Miss Cindy L
    Miss Cindy L Member Posts: 34

    Only God knows for

    Only God knows for certain...

    A short story;

    When I was 16 and had just gotten my drivers license, my dear elderly aunt called me to ask if I would come to pick her up and go to the hospital since she wasn't feeling well.  When we arrived, the doctor told me that her heart was in very bad shape and she may not last the week.   To this she simply said, "Oh nonsense, I'll be back home in a few days, even though her prognosis was grim.  But home she went! And as time went by, she attended three of my graduations, attended my wedding, saw her grandchildren born, attended her own son's funeral (officer killed in line of duty), and watched the towers fall on 9/11/2001, but then lose all of her memory on 9/12/01.  It was if that attack was just too much to take.  But you know what?  She OUTLIVED her healthy cardiac doctor by 15 years!!!   So my point of course is, only God knows when your time is up.  Just enjoy your time on this beautiful earth while you can.

    All my best,

    Cyn

    Only God knows for sure

    What a wonderful story to share and you are absolutely right only God knows for sure. This is such a beautiful inspirational experience to share with us we need to hear these things a little more often! Thank you....I needed this today.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member

    Only God knows for

    Only God knows for certain...

    A short story;

    When I was 16 and had just gotten my drivers license, my dear elderly aunt called me to ask if I would come to pick her up and go to the hospital since she wasn't feeling well.  When we arrived, the doctor told me that her heart was in very bad shape and she may not last the week.   To this she simply said, "Oh nonsense, I'll be back home in a few days, even though her prognosis was grim.  But home she went! And as time went by, she attended three of my graduations, attended my wedding, saw her grandchildren born, attended her own son's funeral (officer killed in line of duty), and watched the towers fall on 9/11/2001, but then lose all of her memory on 9/12/01.  It was if that attack was just too much to take.  But you know what?  She OUTLIVED her healthy cardiac doctor by 15 years!!!   So my point of course is, only God knows when your time is up.  Just enjoy your time on this beautiful earth while you can.

    All my best,

    Cyn

    Thank you! It's true, we

    Thank you! It's true, we never know when our time is up. Sometimes it helps to know what path you're heading, though. I think everyone is different that way. Thank you for sharing such a personal story with us. :)

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member

    Thank you! It's true, we

    Thank you! It's true, we never know when our time is up. Sometimes it helps to know what path you're heading, though. I think everyone is different that way. Thank you for sharing such a personal story with us. :)

    Captain Solo...

    ...in Star Wars said: "Never tell me the odds."

    Never look at the statistics, but be ready for anything. We should make arrangements so if we die tomorrow we don't leave a mess behind. Hundreds of happy, healthy people woke up this morning like on any other day and by evening they died of car accidents, work related or something really odd. Two little kids in Canada went over to friends for a sleepover and they were suffocated by a large snake from a pet shop downstairs. Crazy!

    Just find out what it will take and do it. 

    We all support you and wish you the best outcome.

    Laz

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Lung nodules

    I've been Stage 4 for 3 1/2 years, diagnosed with lung tumors among others at that time, have had all the other tumors taken out or gone through chemo, but as for the lung tumors still have them, still here.  if the other tumors will stop appearing here and there I believe we'll get around to getting rid of the lung ones at some point, many have calcified my onc thinks from the chemo and I believe there are three left To deal with at some point, the chemo has worked well with keeping them in check so far.

    Winter Marie

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member

    Lung nodules

    I've been Stage 4 for 3 1/2 years, diagnosed with lung tumors among others at that time, have had all the other tumors taken out or gone through chemo, but as for the lung tumors still have them, still here.  if the other tumors will stop appearing here and there I believe we'll get around to getting rid of the lung ones at some point, many have calcified my onc thinks from the chemo and I believe there are three left To deal with at some point, the chemo has worked well with keeping them in check so far.

    Winter Marie

    Will find out tomorrow if

    Will find out tomorrow if they're going to take all the tumors out or just one lung. It sounds like herdizziness, you have had success with the chemo. I'm told that you have to treat this as a chronic disease and just keep on truckin. Thanks, it doesn't sound as bad as people are telling me.

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    lp1964 said:

    Captain Solo...

    ...in Star Wars said: "Never tell me the odds."

    Never look at the statistics, but be ready for anything. We should make arrangements so if we die tomorrow we don't leave a mess behind. Hundreds of happy, healthy people woke up this morning like on any other day and by evening they died of car accidents, work related or something really odd. Two little kids in Canada went over to friends for a sleepover and they were suffocated by a large snake from a pet shop downstairs. Crazy!

    Just find out what it will take and do it. 

    We all support you and wish you the best outcome.

    Laz

    Laz, thanks for the positive

    Laz, thanks for the positive outlook. It's true, we never know when our number is up, with or without cancer.

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member

    Will find out tomorrow if

    Will find out tomorrow if they're going to take all the tumors out or just one lung. It sounds like herdizziness, you have had success with the chemo. I'm told that you have to treat this as a chronic disease and just keep on truckin. Thanks, it doesn't sound as bad as people are telling me.

    Chronic

    That's what it is for quite a few, I had a liver(2nd) resection done in May and am having another colon resection here soon.  In between all of that I graduated from full time 2 year school, travel, go camping, babysit and go to the water parks, etc., with grandchildren and try to live life at it's fullest starting as a Junior in 4 year college in two weeks full time, along with part time work.  It interrupts life a bit, but it sure doesn't stop it.  Hope you get good news tomorrow!

    Winter Marie

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member

    Chronic

    That's what it is for quite a few, I had a liver(2nd) resection done in May and am having another colon resection here soon.  In between all of that I graduated from full time 2 year school, travel, go camping, babysit and go to the water parks, etc., with grandchildren and try to live life at it's fullest starting as a Junior in 4 year college in two weeks full time, along with part time work.  It interrupts life a bit, but it sure doesn't stop it.  Hope you get good news tomorrow!

    Winter Marie

    Wow, you certainly are living

    Wow, you certainly are living an exciting life. Thanks for sharing. Good luck!

  • danker
    danker Member Posts: 1,276 Member

    Only God knows for

    Only God knows for certain...

    A short story;

    When I was 16 and had just gotten my drivers license, my dear elderly aunt called me to ask if I would come to pick her up and go to the hospital since she wasn't feeling well.  When we arrived, the doctor told me that her heart was in very bad shape and she may not last the week.   To this she simply said, "Oh nonsense, I'll be back home in a few days, even though her prognosis was grim.  But home she went! And as time went by, she attended three of my graduations, attended my wedding, saw her grandchildren born, attended her own son's funeral (officer killed in line of duty), and watched the towers fall on 9/11/2001, but then lose all of her memory on 9/12/01.  It was if that attack was just too much to take.  But you know what?  She OUTLIVED her healthy cardiac doctor by 15 years!!!   So my point of course is, only God knows when your time is up.  Just enjoy your time on this beautiful earth while you can.

    All my best,

    Cyn

    Only God

    Coudn't agree more!!! When my mother died, her 10-year older sister said:"I'll be the next to go." She used to tell her son who she wanted for pallbearers.  She out lived 4 sets of them!! She lived 33 more years after my mom. So God knows and nobody else does.

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156

    Lung nodules

    I've been Stage 4 for 3 1/2 years, diagnosed with lung tumors among others at that time, have had all the other tumors taken out or gone through chemo, but as for the lung tumors still have them, still here.  if the other tumors will stop appearing here and there I believe we'll get around to getting rid of the lung ones at some point, many have calcified my onc thinks from the chemo and I believe there are three left To deal with at some point, the chemo has worked well with keeping them in check so far.

    Winter Marie

    Me too

    Think I'm like u Marie.  I have 4 mets to lung from bowel cancer 3 yrs ago.  Been on chemo pretty much fortnightly.  Currently nn cetuximab. Left Timor scar tissue now and right lung with three mets largest shrunk from 69mm to 45mm.  GOD is good.  If start to grow will have to decide on surgery or diff chemo...........keep the faith!

  • kennyt
    kennyt Member Posts: 110

    Lung nodules

    I've been Stage 4 for 3 1/2 years, diagnosed with lung tumors among others at that time, have had all the other tumors taken out or gone through chemo, but as for the lung tumors still have them, still here.  if the other tumors will stop appearing here and there I believe we'll get around to getting rid of the lung ones at some point, many have calcified my onc thinks from the chemo and I believe there are three left To deal with at some point, the chemo has worked well with keeping them in check so far.

    Winter Marie

    Marie how come they don't

    Marie how come they don't place as much importance on removing the lung stuff as the others?

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    kennyt said:

    Marie how come they don't

    Marie how come they don't place as much importance on removing the lung stuff as the others?

    Kenny

    Because if they did I could be refused the many surgeries that I've needed on my liver and colon.  They have been shrunk before and three calcified (died) so as long as they stay small from chemo and they don't biopsy them I can get surgery for other areas.  So we haven't worried about them too much until after I can quit coming up with other tumors (new primary in my colon) That need surgery.

    Winter Marie

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    kennyt said:

    Marie how come they don't

    Marie how come they don't place as much importance on removing the lung stuff as the others?

    Lung surgery

    The doctor is going to remove all the tumors in the lungs. It will take 2 surgeries, but he feels my brother will have a better chance with the surgery. We don't know yet whether they will do surgery first or chemo first. The lung doctor has to discuss it with the oncologist.

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156

    Kenny

    Because if they did I could be refused the many surgeries that I've needed on my liver and colon.  They have been shrunk before and three calcified (died) so as long as they stay small from chemo and they don't biopsy them I can get surgery for other areas.  So we haven't worried about them too much until after I can quit coming up with other tumors (new primary in my colon) That need surgery.

    Winter Marie

    Message

    Hi Marie,  did u get new primary tumor in bowel whilst on chemo ?

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member

    Lung surgery

    The doctor is going to remove all the tumors in the lungs. It will take 2 surgeries, but he feels my brother will have a better chance with the surgery. We don't know yet whether they will do surgery first or chemo first. The lung doctor has to discuss it with the oncologist.

    Lung surgery

    Let us know what they come up with and what type of surgery when your brother finds out If you would please.

    Winter Marie

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    Hooley said:

    Message

    Hi Marie,  did u get new primary tumor in bowel whilst on chemo ?

    Don't know

    First it had to be a polyp at some point.  And I was warned to have colonoscopies each year after my colon resection as a couple of polyps which were not there during my colonoscopy showed up 2 months later during my colon resection (I had been off of chemo for surgery) The surgeon said I had fast growing polyps. I did not get the follow up colonoscopies religiously as I should have.  I have been off chemo for a few months in the past 3 1/2 years so I don't know when it appearedAnd grew into a tumor. I don't know if I have more tumors either, this tumor did not show up on last two CT/PT scans.  I asked for a colonoscopy and they removed one polyp and then ran into this tumor and could go no further up as they could not get around it.  Now not getting a colonoscopy every year is my fault, even though for most people this would not be necessary And I along with everyone else on my team was trusting the CT/PT scans.

    Biopsies shows it is malignant and the surgeon's office called today (I missed the call and didn't see the message until to late to call back) to discuss surgery.  

    I thought CT/PT scans (one 1 month before liver surgery and 1 after colonoscopy) should show all tumors that were of any size, but was informed more often then one would think they do not show in the scans when in the colon. I hate to think of it growing while I was on chemo, but it is a good possibIlity. I have been off chemo since April and colonoscopy was in July, I don't think that was enough time to grow this large, so I do have to seriously consider that it grew while I was on chemo.

    ALLRIGHTY THEN, just looked at my CSN Space and read what I had written on 10/01/2012, it showed a tumor from scan in my sigmoid colon (where it still is) and then on another just before thinking of surgery (which they didnt do due to excess tumors) scan on 11/05/2012 it showed as gone, and three scans since then have also shown it as gone, I had been off chemo (I was still on Avastin which at the end of Decmber 2012 it was shown along with Oxi and Xeloda to longer be working for me) for  about six  months at the October point. So the one scan showed it was there and every scan since then has shown it gone, all the while it's been hiding.

    Winter Marie

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member

    Lung surgery

    Let us know what they come up with and what type of surgery when your brother finds out If you would please.

    Winter Marie

    Thanks!

    Winter Marie, I will keep you up-to-date. My brother is inspired by all of your stories. The statistics for metastasized rectal cancer scared the heck out of us. He has been through so much already. I am inspired by each and every one of you. My little brother is my hero. I am so proud of how he handles all of this with such dignity. I know we have an uphill battle ahead, but he's a fighter. The doctor asked him what he thought about having surgery, he told him, "go for it!" I almost burst out laughing in the doctor's office. In a way, he's blessed to not totally grasp the seriousness of the situation (in case you didn't read my original post, he's intellectually disabled, but such a sweetheart). 

    The onc and surgeon had a meeting and decided against the surgery. The onc feels it's too dangerous and could be in vain since we don't know if there are more that we don't see. I'm looking into a 2nd opinion, won't hurt, but I'm guessing my brother's size (he's a big guy) and the fact that he has a slightly enlarged heart has changed their minds. We'll see what happens.

    Lin

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member

    Thanks!

    Winter Marie, I will keep you up-to-date. My brother is inspired by all of your stories. The statistics for metastasized rectal cancer scared the heck out of us. He has been through so much already. I am inspired by each and every one of you. My little brother is my hero. I am so proud of how he handles all of this with such dignity. I know we have an uphill battle ahead, but he's a fighter. The doctor asked him what he thought about having surgery, he told him, "go for it!" I almost burst out laughing in the doctor's office. In a way, he's blessed to not totally grasp the seriousness of the situation (in case you didn't read my original post, he's intellectually disabled, but such a sweetheart). 

    The onc and surgeon had a meeting and decided against the surgery. The onc feels it's too dangerous and could be in vain since we don't know if there are more that we don't see. I'm looking into a 2nd opinion, won't hurt, but I'm guessing my brother's size (he's a big guy) and the fact that he has a slightly enlarged heart has changed their minds. We'll see what happens.

    Lin

    MRI

    3 cm tumor in liver, too. Doctors are going to biopsy liver instead of lungs. Hope to start chemo soon. Cry

  • renw
    renw Member Posts: 282 Member
    God may know, but

    God may know, but Statistically with stage 4 you have 12-36 months. Your 5 year survival chance maybe 5%, but odds will be better with surgery, and as for a cure, that is close to zero. Without chemo reliable stats are harder to come by.