Neuroendocrine Cancer Colon Liver

Hi. I’m new and having trouble finding anyone to talk to about my husband’s cancer. He is 57 and works construction. He began having pains that relate to inguinal hernia. Had a CT, no hernia but small mass in liver. After MRI, they did a biopsy and confirmed a 2cm stage 2 well differentiated NET. Then told us that there is more cancer somewhere in his intestines. After colonoscopy/endoscopy, capsule endoscopy, and octreotide scan they finally found the area in the intestines. All they see is an enlarged lymph node so far. Very hard to find. The only symptoms he has is groin pain, chills, fatigue. He is very constipated but that is his norm. The plan...exploratory surgery, bowel resection, hemicoloectomy, and burn the small one in his liver. The surgeon said he will cut it out and we will be done. No more cancer, just scans for the rest of his life. Of course, we will have to see the Oncologist again for his opinion on that after surgery. Could it really be that simple? Or are they just making sure our stress levels aren’t debilitating? I’m hopeful because the surgeon said the liver tumor is easy and because after ALL those tests they only found one tiny area enlarged in the mesentery. I know there are at least one or more tiny tumors in the intestines and the surgeon said he will find them. My worries...if it metastasized to his liver, even if it’s only one tiny one, he is still in stage 4. If it metastasized through blood or lymph nodes then couldn’t there be more than what they’re saying. The facts...after ALL those tests, only 2 small areas were seen. Thoughts? And thank you for listening.

doctors sound good - unlike mine

Hi Daisy, hope you got 2nd opinion...always a good idea. Neuroendcrines are tricky, slow growing but can’t say how long it’s been growing. Sounds like they are being careful. But no chemo or radiation post op? He should be monitored closely every 3-6 mos. PET Scan. Best to you. Janey

I guess we’re lucky. University of Florida teaching hospital. We’ve got one of the best conservative cancer surgeons out there. He has a team of 7 doctors/specialized radiologists and every case has to go before the tumor board before surgery is agreed upon and scheduled. Keep looking for doctors you’re comfortable with.

Janey, yes 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions and then some. After surgery the oncologist decides on further treatment, but they (several doctors) say that if they get it all during surgery then just scans for the rest of his life. I guess we won’t know until they get in there. We were told by several doctors that chemo doesn’t work on slow growing NETs. They also said PET test not the best for neuroendocrine cancer. The Octreotide Scan is where they finally found 1 enlarged lymph node in his mesentery. Still haven’t located any tumors. But his team of doctors and the tumor board all agree on exploratory surgery where they are sure they’ll find it. I guess it’s just confusing for him to be classified stage 4 due to 1 liver NET, but see almost nothing on CT, MRI, colonoscopy, endoscopy, capsule endoscopy AND octreotide scans. 1 more week and we’ll know. The waiting and wondering is so hard. Thanks for your response. Best to you also.

Amazing how many spouses chime in. Thoughts about your husbands condition. I am 57 and I was recently diagnosed with Squamus cell carcinoma. I was in the construction trades for 38 years and never had time to take care of myself. The lifestyle is what causes the illness. I completely changed my lifestyle and in three months have lost 35lbs. The cancer is gone and I feel great. It started with the Gerson Protocol and herbs and the elimination of all food that has an ingredient lable, dairy, meat, sugar, cheese and chocolate. This starved the cancer and killed it. It I believe is the same for all cancer patients. However who wants to give up so much, in order to live?

OP is good. The only way to prevent the cancer from coming is a very strict plant based nutrition with juicing and smoothies. Check the site chrisbeatcancer.com for very valuable information.