My Mother Has Melanoma And Rectal Cancer I'm Not Understanding The Difference

I hope and pray that someone out there can answer at least one of my question's. My mother is 53 and she was told that she had melanoma seven years ago, and she has a tumor that is growing in her rectum. Her colon dr. told her a month ago that she only has a couple of months left ti live, due to she never would have the surgery to have it removed, and now it's too far gone. Her cancer does travel within her bloodstream; she had surgery around her neck area and that was removed, then two more came under her arm pits and all lymph nodes where remove. But now they are offering her hospice but she isn't taken it. Due to she knows that she can get this tumor removed> Honestly I have know idea what can be done, she is calling around everwhere. So my question is, what are the stages of a tumor in the rectum? Once it's so far long is it true that they cannot be removed?

Good Morning,

How is your mother doing at this point. My husband was diagnosed on August 1 2005. He did have the tumor removed, but nothing else has been done so far. The doctors don't know what to do. They told exactly that, but the Radiologist is sending us to the Moffit Melanoma Research Center in Tampa. This rare cancer works exactly the opposite of other cancers, as far as how they are monitored and treated.

It sounds so hopeless. If anyone out there knows anything please let me know. My husband feels ok right now, he is very tired. They did say, no need to take medication, chemo, or radiation since it won't work.


Waiting to hear from you.
Gail W.

Melanoma is very deadly and can move anywhere within the body, one area on her neck and 2 lymphnodes??? and now this rectol tumor is also melanoma. Check another opinion at www.cancercenter.com I am a 6 yr survivor of Stage 3 melanoma and understand that I only can count"on" this second, this day as the possibility of a reoccurance is high and other areas involved as well. I am very agressive with oncology checkups, dermotology check ups and monthly blood work. Wihout a 2nd opinion I am only a survivor but yes there could be that state that hospice is advised. I had a friend in CA and everything about our diagnosis the timing the area the size was all the same, but he delayed a year and went into denial and when he sought treatment 2 years after lst diagnoses he had mets in nodes in his arm pits and his back and his brain and he "graduated" a year later. There isn't anything "fair" about cancer, some make it some don't, those that do, don't know why, feel guilty that they are alive, and need counseling for seeing all their acquain. with cancer die and they are spose to not give up hope. Car crashes, strokes, heart attacks, old age, death we all have to face it and I only could by knowing I had accepted Jesus as my personal savior as I have no control over challenges life brings, but with God you don't have to do it alone. Praying a second opinion gives you your answers and wisdom and direction. Praying for you.............Sheila