Mestastic Colon Cancer Spread To The Lung

My Mother who is 64, was diagnosed with Stage 2 colon cancer 3 years ago and had the tumor successfully removed. It was not in her lymph nodes surrounding the area either. She was told her CEA levels were clear (checkups every three months)therefore no Chemo was necessary. Four months ago, she began spitting up blood and a chest Xray detected a large mass in her lung. It has been determined that it is a metastic colon cancer, not spread to the brain, bone or liver. She under went large dosages of radiation which substantially reduced the tumor but now they are recommending Chemo..What variations of Chemo will give my Mom the least amount of side affects and also give her the quality of life she wants. The doctors were surprised she came out of the radiation so well and with no side affects. She is taking some alternative medicines to supplement her immune system..IP6/inocell and a japanese mushroom.

I am so sorry your mom is going thru this. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in 6/2004. I had surgery to remove tumor and 2 nodes were involved, so stage 3. I had chemo therapy and am cancer free at this time, which is one year from end of treatment. I knew of someone who had stage 1 colon cancer and no chemo. It came back a few years later and she died. My point is, should all colon cancer patients have chemo, no matter what the stage???? I do not know what they do for lung cancer (from colon). I would, however, get a couple of opinions.
I wish you and your mom luck. Don't give up. Keep fighting. Attitude is 90% of this awful disease. Barbara119

Thank you for your kind words. We are currently getting second opinions but who knows what is best.. What Chemo treatments did you take? How did you feel? The doctors are telling us that the best course of action is to take the Chemo but it may not necessarily have to be very strong. We just want to control it..

I had folfox 4. It consisted of oxaliplatin, 5 fu and luckavoren (Spelling) for colon cancer. I did fairly well. I was extremely tired the 3 or 4 days after treatment. I could not drink or touch anything cold the 5 to 7 days after treatment. I had diarrhea. Food tasted so bad that it was difficult to find things to eat. Everyone said how wonderful I looked. Oh, I gained weight from the sgteroids with the treatment. If they give you oxaliplain and 5 FU, watch out for a dry hacking cough. If you get one, tell your doctor immediately as it could mean pulmonary fibrosis. My doctor ignored my telling him that I had a cough. Now I have full blown fibrosis in my lungs. I am on oxygen and will be forever. I got diabetes and osteoporosis from the prednisone. I am cancer free as of a year after chemo. My quality of life is drastically reduced because of the lung problem. No matter what chedmo is given, watch out for the cough!!! Could Luck and God Bless,
Barbar1119

my father did very well on 5FU, leucavorin and avastin (a must for colon cancer...even if it metastasizes)

best of luck...think positive and get the prayers jumpstarted

peace with you and your mom

Sorry to hear about anyone with this terrible illness. There are many websites out there with information and Avasten has it's own explaining the treatement. One thing get checked frequently don't wait. My wife has Met Colon Cancer/Lung after we hoped we were out of the woods. CEA was clear, symptoms were clear, CAT scans were clear 6 months ago. Now on a routine Ct Scan they found spots on Lungs resulting in removal of lower lobe of left lung. On removal of Primary site colon and surrounding Lymph Nodes no Cancer was found 1 1/2 yrs ago. She did the 5FU and Leucavorin we thought she was clean of Cancer.. Now the she is starting Avastin treatment. Regardless of the statistics regarding survival we all need to stay positive and hope for new improved treatment. We have seen one of the top 18 Drs that ACTUALLY WRITE THE TREATMENT PROTOCOL for this time of Cancer treatment. We are hopefully of new developments especially in stage 4 Met Colorectal cancer and the statistics improve.