Stage Iv Comming Back Strong?

My wife was diagonosed Stage IV Dec 2006 and took colone surgery first than chemo (FOLFOX with Avestin) for 3 months than June 2007 left Liver resection than Xrloda + Avestin (Due to her neuropathy) for 3 months

All treament was complete 11/9/2007 than CT scan monitor on 10/2007, 1/7/2008, 4/7/2008

Until 4/7/2008 we were all happy and all.

On 4/8/2008 my wife's oncology called me that she has 2cm size of cancer on her liver and around 16 spots of liver nodules which is suspected to be a cancer so my wife need strong chemo ASAP as Dr think it all came back starting Jan 2008 as until Jan report did not show anything.

My wife started chemo Camptosar, Erbitux, Avastin

My wife took Mediport surgery on 4/14/2008 and got first chemo on 4/15/2008 as dr said she need it ASAP (She got only little of camptosar as she got reaction and she refused to get Erbitux and Avastin was not possible after 1 day surgery)

Now she is on track with her chemo Camptosar, Erbitux, Avastin

On 4/23/2008 we took CT from UCSF today second opinion and CT scan report showed 2.6cm liver, 1.5cm rectum, 2.3 lypm node on chest, 2.3cm lymp node around liver, and around 16 small spots on her lung.

Basically Dr said due to too much areas involved only hope is chemo which she has been getting and if this do not work than some clinical trial chemo agents

Could cancer grow that fast? I am think it might have been missed during mornitoring state... On 3/24 my wife went to emergency room as she had pain on her abdomen area Hospital took a CT but Dr discharged her as there is no worry since CT results are fine and only 2 lung nodules which should be followed with her oncologist. Oncologist got a phone call from Hospital that day.

I picked up a report and CT films from that hospital and report clearly said liver there is 2cm size which is suspected to be recurrence but emergency Dr discharged her saying CT came out fine.
Also seems like my wife's oncologist did not review a electronic radiology report from that CT scan (Emergency) as she only found recurrence sign on my wife's routine CT scan 2 weeks later.

I am just so mad with current condition as it could have been caught early stage than like now UCSF dr said most likely surgery will not be my wife's future treatment which is the best way to remove cancer...

Any opinion?

I am so sorry to hear about your wife.  My Mom is also Stage IV Colon Cancer.

She has had 2 surgeries, and many of all of the same combinations of drugs your wife has had.

My answer is YES, it does spread and grow that rapidly.  My Mom has been monitored just as closely ass your wife.  She had a CT and PET Scan in January of this year,  It was a few nodes here and there.  We sought out second opinions and had to see many doctors, but her surger was 3-25-08.  When the surgeon opened her, he said "she was LOADED" with cancer.  He removed 16 things and sent them off to Pathology.

I cannot understand this happening either.  The PET Scans are supposed to be 90-95% accurate, but it appears to me, that is not the case.

I wish you and your wife all the best. You will be in my prayers.

Beth

Some cancers grow very fast and that seems to be the case here.  I have had 3 PET scans during the last year and they have been very accurate.

Thanks Beth and Arnold for reply.

Beth good luck with your Mom and good luck with you Arnorld.

My wife's case she had 2-3 nodules on Jan 7 2008 scan but my wife's oncology said it shoud not be worried as my wife was coughing and all...

But now I am thinking most of "Most lung nodules are noncancerous, but some may represent early-stage lung cancer" statement on online which means my wife's case should have been more test as she was stage IV.

It is my guess but I am thinking Jan scan somehow missed other areas. It seems to me it got spread from liver this time and Lung had few nodules on Jan which means there has to be some in liver that time...

Also how could a hospital discharge my wife without any notice of recurrence as report said suspected recurrence on liver with size of 2cm but her discharge note says nothing about liver part but follow up with oncologist for lung nodules. So my wife's oncology thinking Oh, lung nodules she had that from Jan scan so not to worry than moved on than reviewing a radiology report.

Also I think due to there is lots of way to take CT/PET there is still good amount of chances which could be missed. Like my wife's 4/7 scan show only 2 locations but on 4/23 scan show 5 different location which Drs thinking 4/7 scan missed some area (Note 4/7 scan 4/23 scan is done different way and different places)

 

Hi   Regardless of how the latest movement was discovered, it appears that the focus now will be on defeating the beast and proceeding on good faith and positive attitude.  I have been through 3 chemos and radiation fighting the initial cancer and one recurrence.  My last PET/CT scan showed no mets and no tumor.  The tumor was 3cm by 6 cm and radiation + chemo removed it. I have seen all of my scans and have the opportunity to question the docs at the same time.  I would suggest you do the same so that you are more comfortable with the results.