Question About Pain After Chemo Break - Experiences From Patients

Hi my dad, colon stage IV, mets to liver. His CEA level before treatment was 33. He did 4 months of chemo and the last CEA levels were 11 (end of February). His doctor stopped his chemo treatment (xeloda, erbitux and something else which I cannot remember now) and he was appointed for CT scan (liver only) in the beginning of April. He got results only 2 weeks ago and they showed that small mets are gone and some bigger (3) shrunk. He was without chemo for almost 3 months. After 2 months on chemotherapy his initial pain from liver was gone comletely, however it was back again after two months on chemo break despite good CT?? He just started the same regimen of chemotherapy and hoping that the pain will gone.

Is it possible that the tumor started to grow back so fast and therefore he has this pain back? Any patient with experience and what kind of treatment was recommended? I do not trust his doctor completely and I have a feeling he is not monitoring him regulary enough. I hope I am not being unfair and there is something my father is not willing to share with me.

 Thank you.

Mojca

Hi, I am a stage IV colon cancer patient. About 2 months ago I had terrible pain in my shoulder. Of course the first thing my oncologist thought was that the cancer had spread to my bones.

My oncologist ordered a CT scan. I went to see my orthopedic dr (I had previously seen him for an ACL tear in my knee). He ordered an MRI. The diagnosis was was bursitis - I had weeks of therapy and a cortisone shot to my shoulder. The pain is gone and so is the bursitis.

I would talk to your Dad's doctors - his primary care and oncologist. There is nothing worse than being in pain and it may not be at all related to the cancer.

Thank you for your answer. My dad had promissed me, he will talk with his doctor next Monday when he has an appointment and next chemo infusion. He always had back pain problems due to skiing accident 30 years ago and it was confusing him always. He also lost one kidney 5 years ago and he had experienced similar back pain. Again confusing.

But this time it is very strange that the pain is connected with chemo break and it became very strong after few days of begginning with new chemo cycles. He told me that if he is not moving, the pain is not present or at least it is not very strong. 

 I wish you strong will, faith and luck!

Mojca