Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma

Hello, my dad was diagnosed with early gastric cancer (signet ring) in the summer of 2009. Had a partial gastrectomy (no lymph involvement). It came back six months later. He went on oral 5FU (Xeloda) and radiation. Grade 4 side effects and huge weight loss. He then went for a total gastrectomy but it was stopped due to peritoneal seeding (carcinomatosis) not seen on PET scans. Now on enteric feeding at night with a port cath and Folfox6 (5FU+ Oxaliplatin + Leucovorin) and Avastin on a 14-day cycle. Side effects started after round 3. This is a very rare and aggressive cancer.

It is an agressive cancer. My husband had surgery on March 2 and they couldn't get it all. They removed 80% of his colon, his spleen, his appendix, the tail of his pancreas, a liter of cancerous fluid in his abdomen. It is growing already. I really don't think the chemo will do anything but make him sick and ruin what might be his last summer.

It has come on us like a ton of bricks. We haven't told the kids yet. They are all grown and some have kids of their own.

He just had a PET scan and another CT.

Does anyone have any good advice for pain management since I do believe that he won't do the chemo?

lostinlove

My thoughts are with you and your family.

My mother was diagnosed with Signet ring carcinoma stage 4 of the colon last April had a protion of the colon removed and a foot of intestine. Her last chemo was Nov 17 2010. Her PET scan was done Feb 15 2011 and was clean blood work was normal, then in end of march 2011 she was getting the bloating and pains back CAT scan showed she was full of tumors again and became obstruted. She just had surgery to try to remove the tumors but they couldn't because of the locations.

If anyone has had any other treatments that have worked please let me know.

In summer of 2007 at age 49 I was diag with Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma in my pelvis, with messed with part of my colon. I had surgery in Sep '07 to remove a small sample, plus a 'temporary' colostomy, along with an IV port on my left shoulder. In October I started 6 months of Oxaliplatin chemo 6 hours every other week with a 48 hr mobile bag 'kicker'. Then someone came to my house to disconnect the mobile IV. AIn April '08 had some tests and scans, and my mass in the pelvis had only shrunk a little. I had 6 weeks of daily radiation to the pelvis. Decided to go with a second shot of Chemo, thru Jul '09. The mass in my pelvis went down to about 2 cm and hasn't done anything since.

So don't be afraid to talk to your doctor, Nurse Prac or oncology nurses, as they can be real helpful and make things easier for you.  But there is life at the end of the tunnel. I recommend reading the book by Barbara Barrie (was Barney Miller's wife on the TV show) where she details her treatment with Cancer.

I was diag with Sig Cell in summer of '07, with mass in my pelvis and problems with my colon. I had surgery in Sep '07, and have a colostomy (initially temp, but decided not to have it reversed) and an IV Port on left side. Had 6 months of very other week Oxaliplatin here in Anchorage, AK, with the 48 mobile bag. Then in May '08 had 6 weeks of radiation of the pelvis. Mass in pelvis still not small enough, so chemo again until Jul '09. CTs good, MRIs good, PET good, so basically living the life until something gives them reason to check.

On adverse affect is that I developed Neuropathy in hand and feet which we belive was caused by the Oxaliplatin.I had a bad lower back before then, and thinking the mixture of Oxali and Radiation messed up my degen disc and possible pinch nerve in my back. I had a couple of the electric nerve tests showing some problems with the nerve signals to my leg causing me to drag it when walking. Had an internal electric stimulous put in my back (internal TENS machine) that helps relax my lower back and hopefully will help with the problem with my legs.  But yeah, I'm a 3 yr survivior.

On Aug 06, 2005 12:00 AM Larry__a_ho_Model_Railroader wrote:

I have just been diagnosed with signet ring cell carcinoma. I was told that is is very rare and agressive and does not respond well to chemo. My oncologist at Hershey Medical center is going to try to kill it with Oxaliplatin and Capecitabione - which works well on colo/rectal cancer - but this is not what I have. Does any one know info about this rare form of cancer and possible forms of treament??

My friend has been diagnosed w Signet Ring Cell Breast cancer. She has lived with it for 2 years doing chemotherapy.

On Aug 06, 2005 12:00 AM Larry__a_ho_Model_Railroader wrote:

I have just been diagnosed with signet ring cell carcinoma. I was told that is is very rare and agressive and does not respond well to chemo. My oncologist at Hershey Medical center is going to try to kill it with Oxaliplatin and Capecitabione - which works well on colo/rectal cancer - but this is not what I have. Does any one know info about this rare form of cancer and possible forms of treament??

Hi: my best friend has been diagnosed with Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma - can anyone tell me if they know if a specialist who understands this rare form of cancer? Is there any vaccinations out there?

On Mar 18, 2012 8:59 AM eachmorning wrote:

I was diag with Sig Cell in summer of '07, with mass in my pelvis and problems with my colon. I had surgery in Sep '07, and have a colostomy (initially temp, but decided not to have it reversed) and an IV Port on left side. Had 6 months of very other week Oxaliplatin here in Anchorage, AK, with the 48 mobile bag. Then in May '08 had 6 weeks of radiation of the pelvis. Mass in pelvis still not small enough, so chemo again until Jul '09. CTs good, MRIs good, PET good, so basically living the life until something gives them reason to check.

On adverse affect is that I developed Neuropathy in hand and feet which we belive was caused by the Oxaliplatin.I had a bad lower back before then, and thinking the mixture of Oxali and Radiation messed up my degen disc and possible pinch nerve in my back. I had a couple of the electric nerve tests showing some problems with the nerve signals to my leg causing me to drag it when walking. Had an internal electric stimulous put in my back (internal TENS machine) that helps relax my lower back and hopefully will help with the problem with my legs.  But yeah, I'm a 3 yr survivior.

 

Hi; my best friend was diagnosed with this form of cancer but in  the breast. Can you please tell me if there is any vaccinations at this point in time for her?

On May 06, 2012 4:25 AM millermartin wrote:

On Mar 18, 2012 8:59 AM eachmorning wrote:

I was diag with Sig Cell in summer of '07, with mass in my pelvis and problems with my colon. I had surgery in Sep '07, and have a colostomy (initially temp, but decided not to have it reversed) and an IV Port on left side. Had 6 months of very other week Oxaliplatin here in Anchorage, AK, with the 48 mobile bag. Then in May '08 had 6 weeks of radiation of the pelvis. Mass in pelvis still not small enough, so chemo again until Jul '09. CTs good, MRIs good, PET good, so basically living the life until something gives them reason to check.

On adverse affect is that I developed Neuropathy in hand and feet which we belive was caused by the Oxaliplatin.I had a bad lower back before then, and thinking the mixture of Oxali and Radiation messed up my degen disc and possible pinch nerve in my back. I had a couple of the electric nerve tests showing some problems with the nerve signals to my leg causing me to drag it when walking. Had an internal electric stimulous put in my back (internal TENS machine) that helps relax my lower back and hopefully will help with the problem with my legs.  But yeah, I'm a 3 yr survivior.

 

Hi; my best friend was diagnosed with this form of cancer but in  the breast. Can you please tell me if there is any vaccinations at this point in time for her?

There may be some more consult on the seriousness of things.  Alot depends on the position of the cancer and how it has progressed.  Then good chance some 'routine' chemo or radiation, or maybe both.  Then probably a scan or two to see how things progress. 

Either way, you'll find that there are a lot of great caring and knowledgeable people out there that will take good care of her.

Hi: My friend has just heard the news that the cancer has now spread to her hip. Her oncologist is starting her on radation w a new chemo drug. Does anyone out there know of a trial for her??