Different Kinds Of Colon Cancer?

I was diagnosed with colon cancer? Stage 3 6 nodes were positive.  Please tell me if anyone knows are ther different kinds of colon cancer?  Is it harmonal like breast cancer can be. Please if there is anyone out there that can give me an answer I would so appreciate it. My oncologist gave me a 56 to 64% chance of survival before my chemo.  Is there anyone out there that had a tumor removed by your appendics thaat did not go thru the colon has had 6 mos of chemo oxiplatin some lymph node involment and knows if I should find out if I am doing everthing I can to prevent this from coming back.  I here many positive things happening with colon cancer and i am wondering is it all treated the same if there is different kins of colon cancer.  Any input would be appreeciated.     thank you, concerned

I don't believe colon cancer is hormonal. Have you had a PET scan done yet? This scan helps to see if the cancer has spread.

Does your doctor check your CEA levels regularly, it is a blood test that checks the levels of colon cancer. This test can and can not be accurate. For example my mom's levels did not raise significantly when her cancer spread, but it is definately worth checking (in many patients this number starts to rise when cancer is present.)

 My advise to you to always get a second opinion, it can't hurt. Be an advocate for yourself. Ask lots of questions to the doctor. Follow up is key and I wish I would have realized this alot earlier. We were told my mom was "cancer free" because there was no lymph node involvement. A simple Xray would have shown the cancer had spread to her liver. By the time she showed symptoms of the cancer spreading to her liver, the tumor was inoperatable. Early detection is key and if in fact you decide to stop chemo, make sure you follow up regularly. I am not sure if it is recommended by physicians but I never understood why my mom did not have follow up scans of her liver and lungs (these are the places that colon cancer spreads to). I am not trying to scare you but we were so happy when they said she was cancer free and we never followed up. I wish you the best of luck and remember if you ever ever feel you are not getting the best and utmost treatment get a second and even a third opinion. It's your life and you are the best advocate. Good luck..

i know how overwhelming all this info on colon cancer can be. i am a two time survivor. first time the tumor invaded my colon. they took 37 inches. i did chemo for 6 months. eight months later they found a tumor the size of an apple touching both my colon and my stomach. took another 7 inches and half my stomach. i was a stage 4 this time. i did the chemo folfax 6. dont be so discouraged they have come a long way with colon cancer and diagnosing it in earlier stages also gives you a better chance. its been 2 years now my life is finally going back to normal. i dont know how old you are but i was 45. follow your doctors orders, stay strong and positive. you can beat this!!!

What you are receiving is standard therapy I think.  Chemo used to be 5Fu and Leukovorin and/or Avastin.  I will have to investigate the Oxaloplatin as there must have been something show it is better.  I would think the toxity would be worse in general though.  Radiation is only used in selected cases of "proximal" colon cancer ie patients were the tumor is stuck down to adjacent stuctures and multiple grossly involoved LN or extranodal spread. 

All you can do is get the treatments and then be followed.  The percentages you were give are accurate.  Unfortunately, and I have to tell my patients this, you only know over time whether or not you are "cured" .

It only becomes absolute over time.

Sounds to me you're on the right road.  Although it is dificult to type this when you're considering chemotherapy...I certainly don't mean to generalize that everyone handles it the same, or that other types of cancers are more concerning...One of the most amazing things my "colon buddies" and I noticed during the six months of chemotherapy was that we were very fortunate.  You'll meet breast cancer patients who suffer tremendously, people with metastatic cancers who have few options, others who get sick every time they come to the clinic.  There were four "of us" who were treated at about the same time.  We came away thinking, "well, it wasn't the best way to spend six months, but I didn't really miss any work, I feel great, and at least I didn't have ___________." 

My six months seemed like a long time while it was going on, but my support team was terrific.  They made the time pass nicely....so that now, a year later, it seems like it happened to someone else.  Feel free to write back, it will send me an email, and if you'd like further thoughts, just let me know.   Reading some of these other posts will be very difficult, as some are very, very ill.  I ache when I see the challenges that other families face.  We were very lucky, but I had some "involved" lymph nodes, too, and so far things are working just great.

Mark 

Hi Mark,  Thank you for the good news>  It always makes me feel stronger when I hear good stories like yours.  I have kept things inside for 1 year and now I feel like I can start talking about it.  My treatment had a couple bad days but not like some that I went to treatment with.  I still am experiencing numb hands and feet from the oxiplatin.  Did you have that side effect?  I want to thank you again stay strong and healthy.  Please stay in contact if you have any questions feel free I'm sure we can help eachother and others who are scared and relate to us. I am going in April for my second check up I haven't  had a cat scan since last March.  Did you after 1 year?  I wonder if they will.  I had a colonsopy and that was clear.  Thank Heaven!!

Take Care   Jean

 

 

Jean

There are drugs to help with the hand and feet numbness from Oxil.  The one we are trying is Lyrica.  It seems to work...but my husband has so much other pain it's hard to tell.  Ask your doctor about it.

Hello:

I'm a 59 yrs. old woman, in relative good health (or so I thought)  I had two types of colon cancer.  The first time was in july,2004 when I had a routine (first) colonscopy and I was diagnosed.  The gastroenterologist told me it was a "polyp gone bad" probably was there for some time and it developed into cancer.  I had it removed and received 6 months of chemo- 5FU&Leuvocorin.  I was doing everything by the book, taking eating healthy, taking antioxidants, herbs, vits. etc.  The Dr. told me that a FULL colonscopy wasn't needed for another 3 years, because polyps take a long time to develop., well just last month I had a full colonoscopy and much to my and my Gastroenterologist's surprise, I had a LESION that had rolled edges and it was cancerous.  I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, HOW COULD THE DOCTORS NOT KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLON CANCER AND SOME THAT CAN COME UP EVEN AFTER CHEMO.  I also had a PET scan that showed that everything else was OK.  Insist on a colonscopy yearly and a PET scan as often as they can give them to you.  I was told that chemo only protects you during the time you're getting it (6 months).  So what about afterwards?  HE said that my colon JUST developed another cancer and that now I would be treated with Oxaliplatin.  I'M DUE TO START SOON, BUT MEANWHILE, I'm loading up on antioxidants and taking vits, and doing exercise, (I just had my surgery 2 weeks ago).  I'm fighting this thing.  I have heard of wonderful survival cases.  SO DON't GIVE UP!  You need to focus staying POSITIVE and PRAYERS do work.  I've talked more to God in the last 3 years (since my first colon resection) than I had all my life.  Well, just hang in there.  AND>>>Don't look at statistics, they're not the same for everyone.  You just think positive & GOD BLESS YOU!

 

On 4/10/2007 Jitiu wrote:

Hello:

I'm a 59 yrs. old woman, in relative good health (or so I thought)  I had two types of colon cancer.  The first time was in july,2004 when I had a routine (first) colonscopy and I was diagnosed.  The gastroenterologist told me it was a "polyp gone bad" probably was there for some time and it developed into cancer.  I had it removed and received 6 months of chemo- 5FU&Leuvocorin.  I was doing everything by the book, taking eating healthy, taking antioxidants, herbs, vits. etc.  The Dr. told me that a FULL colonscopy wasn't needed for another 3 years, because polyps take a long time to develop., well just last month I had a full colonoscopy and much to my and my Gastroenterologist's surprise, I had a LESION that had rolled edges and it was cancerous.  I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, HOW COULD THE DOCTORS NOT KNOW THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLON CANCER AND SOME THAT CAN COME UP EVEN AFTER CHEMO.  I also had a PET scan that showed that everything else was OK.  Insist on a colonscopy yearly and a PET scan as often as they can give them to you.  I was told that chemo only protects you during the time you're getting it (6 months).  So what about afterwards?  HE said that my colon JUST developed another cancer and that now I would be treated with Oxaliplatin.  I'M DUE TO START SOON, BUT MEANWHILE, I'm loading up on antioxidants and taking vits, and doing exercise, (I just had my surgery 2 weeks ago).  I'm fighting this thing.  I have heard of wonderful survival cases.  SO DON't GIVE UP!  You need to focus staying POSITIVE and PRAYERS do work.  I've talked more to God in the last 3 years (since my first colon resection) than I had all my life.  Well, just hang in there.  AND>>>Don't look at statistics, they're not the same for everyone.  You just think positive & GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Thank you so much for your information.  I hope everything goes well with your chemo.  I had the oxiplatin in 2006 you will notice you will be affected by the cold and have some tingling and numbness in your feet.  I still have that side effet taking viatmin B helps and it is slowly getting better.  I have read the oxiplatin really works agains colon cancer so I'm sure after this you won'd have any more problems.  I am 57 years old and naver had a side effect.  I went in for my colonospy and there it was.  I worry about the 6 nodes that were involved my surgeon said everthing should be fine and my oncologist is hopeful.  I went into a clinical study.  I have only had a cat scan never a pet scan and my 6 mos check up is April 16th I'm hoping everthing will e fine.  I am starting to feel really good.  If you have any questions once you start your chemo please write it feels good to have someone that understands what its all about and I will be glad to tell you things that helped me get thru it.  It really wasn't that bad a couple yucky days.  I have four sons and that is what bothers me most of all they seem to not even want to discuss it.  I am thankful for the message center so you don't feel so alone.God Bless you and He certainly does make a difference I know its all in his hands and when I do feel overwelmed he is a great comfort.  Look forward to hearing from you and Good Luck

hi. there are actually many different types of colon cancer. adenocarcinoma is the most common, but there are other forms as well. examples include leiomyosarcoma, lymphoma, melanoma, and neuroendocrine tumors. i'm including a url that provides an overview of each type with links to more detailed info:

http://coloncancer.about.com /od/typesofcancer/a/TypeColonCancer.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://coloncancer.about.com /od/typesofcancer/a/TypeColonCan

i see it has been a while since you posted. i hope all is well.

take care,

donna myers
guide to colon cancer
http://coloncancer.about.com