Newly Diagnosed - Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma

Hello. My wife recently had a GI scope with biopsy, testing positive for Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma in the lower stomach. Strange thing is, the upper GI scope shows perfect stomach with no tumors. CT scan showed no abnormalities. The upper GI was performed for ongoing treatment of Barrett's Esophagus. This is the second positive biopsy within one week of the first. I expect a lower GI scope will be recommended soon.

What is the treatment for cancer at this stage?

Signet ring is an extremely aggressive stomach cancer.  It's probably best if she has chemo and radiation prior to chemo to shrink the tumor as much as possible.  Then have the surgery to have clean margins.  I met someone who has been cancer free for 7/12 years bc of this method.

Also, have you heard of budwig diet?  She would need to be on a certain diet.  I don't know if this diet would affect the chemo or vice versa.  You can go to cancertutor.com to find out more.  someone posted earlier this link about the budwig diet at:

http://www.budwigvideos.com/

 

Please keep us posted to see if this cures your wife.

 

good luck

Hello, I'm so sorry that you and your wife are having to deal with this. Sometimes the CT scans just aren't all that accurate, same with PET scans (which she might have to go through soon). When my husband was diagnosed in July 2005 he had the endoscopies with biopsy which found the tumor (his was at the top of his stomach at the junction with the esophagus), he also had a CT scan, and even ultrasound. The Doctors concluded because of these scans that he only had a small tumor with no lymph node involvement and surgery was recommended. However, they didn't stage it until he had surgery... at that point they discovered that he had at least 15 nodes infected with cancer and the tumor was actually going up into his esophagus inside of the stomach/esophagus walls. None of the scans prepared us for that shock! He was stage 3...only one lymph node away from stage 4. He had surgery and then 5 weeks of chemo with radiation at the same time. It is now more common to see people have chemo/radiation before surgery to shrink the tumor. Studies have shown an increase in survival with this method. My husband is still doing well against all odds and I hope the same will be for your family. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to write here and we will reply! In strength, Amy

 

On 5/22/2009 couldbebetter wrote:

Hello. My wife recently had a GI scope with biopsy, testing positive for Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma in the lower stomach. Strange thing is, the upper GI scope shows perfect stomach with no tumors. CT scan showed no abnormalities. The upper GI was performed for ongoing treatment of Barrett's Esophagus. This is the second positive biopsy within one week of the first. I expect a lower GI scope will be recommended soon.

What is the treatment for cancer at this stage?

Sorry to hear about your dx. I was dx with the same thing,  Stage II , signet cell. CT scan showed that my stomach appeared normal, it was not. I was given 2 options, the MAGIC trial, chemo for 3 cycles or chemo/radiation. I went with the MAGIC trial, had surgery - partial gastrectomy in Jan 09 and then ended up having radiation and chemo. If I had a time machine, I would have done the radiation prior to surgery. Learn all you can and ask a lot of questions. To date I am doing well, 9 months after my dx. Stay positive and good luck, Teresa    

Do a lot of research. Ask a lot of questions. Do not accept anything at face value.

My sister had this exact same type of cancer. It is very aggressive but there are always positive stories in anything.

Tracy

I agree with all the postings. My husband diagnosed 1/25/08. Told he had as 3 cm tumor at the ge junction did not do well on chemo, lost his high tone hearing and not much change in tumor. So he wanted surgery. At the ime of surgery had 6x5x0.5 inch tumor in his stomach! Undetected by any PET scan. The only test that did show the tumor was anendoscpoic ultrasound. Although that information was known, it was never shared with us. In hind site I would have insisted he continue chemo and radiation BEFORE surgery. The outcomes are definately better. Also you are just in better shape before surgery than after. He did well for a while but now has extensive micro metastasis which also was undetected with PET scan. My heart goes out to you.

 

Thank you for all of your replies. Wife has taken all the tests and it was determined that a total gastro must be performed to remove the entire stomach. Based on biopsies and family history, this is suspected to be some kind of rare genetic stomach cancer passed on from her mother, who died at the age of 49. Wife has always had stomach problems since her youth, and I think she is ready to get it out at the age of 36. DR is confident that it has not spread, but the stomach has to go!

We would be very grateful for someone to tell us about their gasto experiences. Adjustments to diet, lifestyle, when you went off of liquid diet, weight loss...etc.

Thanks for sharing.

 

My wife was also diagnosed with Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma, specifically Linitis Plastica. She is currently on her second round of Oxalyplatin and Xeloda. The DR plans explorative laproscopy after her third round to determine staging. We are very hopeful as this is her third cancer (she beat Hodgkin's lymphoma and breast cancer).

Mike