Colon Cancer

Question: What is the difference in the stages of colon cancer? my boyfriend has 4th stage colon cancer. They removed some of the colon. they now say both lobes of his liver have cancer spots and they are concerned about a spot on his lung.

Answer: As colon cancer progresses from Stage 0 to Stage IV, the cancer cells grow through the layers of the colon wall and spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Stage 0 (Carcinoma in Situ) In stage 0, abnormal cells are found in the innermost lining of the colon. These abnormal cells may become cancer and spread into nearby normal tissue. Stage 0 is also called carcinoma in situ. Stage I In stage I, cancer has formed and spread beyond the innermost tissue layer of the colon wall to the middle layers. Stage I colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes A colon cancer. Stage II Stage II colon cancer is divided into stage IIA and stage IIB. Stage IIA: Cancer has spread beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall or has spread to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum. Stage IIB: Cancer has spread beyond the colon wall into nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum. Stage II colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes B colon cancer. Stage III Stage III colon cancer is divided into stage IIIA, stage IIIB, and stage IIIC. Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread from the innermost tissue layer of the colon wall to the middle layers and has spread to as many as 3 lymph nodes. Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to as many as 3 nearby lymph nodes and has spread: beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall; or to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum; or beyond the colon wall into nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum. Stage IIIC: Cancer has spread to 4 or more nearby lymph nodes and has spread: to or beyond the middle tissue layers of the colon wall; or to nearby tissues around the colon or rectum; or to nearby organs and/or through the peritoneum. Stage III colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes C colon cancer. Stage IV In stage IV, cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes and has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or lungs. Stage IV colon cancer is sometimes called Dukes D colon cancer.

Question: What are the survivar rates for stage 4 colon cancer? My grandma just found out she has stage 4 colon cancer. Have you or anyone you know had stage 4 colon cancer and know the survival rates? Other than the cancer she is failry healthy. Thanks!

Answer: 5 year survival is not 50%, closer to 10% or less. Average survival is about 2 years, meaning half live longer. This assumes patients go through the usual drugs of 5FU, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, avastin, and erbitux. While the treatment can be tough, others tolerate amazingly well and preserve a very good quality of life. Treatments are definitely worth trying at least. I have many older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer- they frequently do very well with treatment. Blessings

Question: How long does it take to recuperate from colon cancer surgery? How long does it take to recuperate from a surgery that is supposed to eliminate colon cancer?

Answer: My Mom survived colon cancer 2 years ago...it took her about 4 or 5 mos to get any spring in her step. She is now experiencing some bowel problems but will not have any thing confirmed...she says whatever will be will be......She today, at 81-1/2 looks fine, got back all her weight and her demeanor improved....but we will see P.S....She refused all treatment after her surgery

Question: What aspect of colon cancer would be interesting to present to an audience? Colon cancer in a specific country (what country do you think would be best to discuss about) Pllllzzzzzzzz give me ideas!!! :D Thx!!!!

Answer: In a specific country? It's interesting to note that the incidence of colon cancer is highest in the westernized countries of North America, Northern Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. And it's even more interesting to note that when a developing country adopts a Western diet, colon cancer rates rise. Would this be something that you could present to an audience?

Question: If my family has a history of colon cancer, how early should I start getting tested? My mom had colon cancer and I was just wondering if there was a certain age that it is recommended I should get checked out. Thanks!

Answer: You have not mentioned your age, even then you should have contact your doctor periodically at least once in 2 years and have the tests done to ensure you do not have the disease. The U.S. Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends the following screening options: * Annual fecal occult blood testing * Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years * Annual fecal occult blood testing plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years * Double contrast barium enema every five years * Colonoscopy every 10 years More frequent or earlier screening may be recommended if you're thought to have a high risk of colon cancer. Explore the benefits and risks of each screening option with your doctor. Together you can determine which colon cancer screening option is best for you. One factor to consider is whether your health insurance provider covers colon cancer screening.-

Question: has anyone had the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer? My doctor is planning on doing the laproscopic surgery for colon cancer and I was wondering if anyone in here had had this?

Answer: yes I have had laproscopic surgery for colon cancer ,3 yrs ago was out of the hospital on the fourth morning after the surgery ,quick recovery.

Question: What are the very early symptoms of colon cancer? My mother died from this when she was 31, as she was diagnosed too late. I'm 20 and have just been diagnosed with a possibility of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Seeing as I've heard colonic cancer is genetic, should I be getting checked out the possibility of cancer? Also, for people who have suffered from colon cancer- what were the earliest symptoms that you got? I don't mean to sound like a hypochondriac-it's just I don't want to find out too late like my mother did.

Answer: The problem with colon cancer is that it shows no symptoms at early stages. It only starts showing when it's advanced. The symptoms are: - Blood flecks in your stools, particularly if the blood is dark or plum-coloured. This is the most commonly noticed symptom and should never be ignored. - A change in your regular bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhoea, that's severe or lasts for two weeks or more. - Abdominal pain or discomfort that lasts for two weeks or more. - Unexplained weight loss. To get cancer at a young age it is most likely genetic. I'm going to see a genetic doctor because I was diagnosed at 20. If any close relative has had colon cancer at a young age, you should ensure your doctor rules that out, instead of diagnosing you without any tests for cancer. I was told I probably have IBS, but luckily, she wanted to do more tests to be on the safe side. Although some people do get it at a young age without there being a genetic factor involved.

Question: What are some of the signs you have colon cancer? What are some of the signs when you first get colon cancer and if you wait a couple years and find out you have colon cancer what are the different signs?

Answer: Colon cancer is a silent disease. I was diagnosed with advanced stage IV colon cancer at the age of 40 in Jan 2006. My only long term symptom was constipation (20 + years) . A couple of months prior to diagnosis I had bloating and cramping. My GP, and GI specialist were not concerned about cc, only motility issues. Well, the colonoscopy showed different. Wendy www.wendysbattle.com

Question: How long would a 5mm adenomatous colon polyp take to turn into malignant cancer? I had one removed, and now I need to go back for yearly screenings. I'm just wondering had I not gone, how many more years it would have taken to turn into colon cancer.

Answer: We think the time frame from earliest genetic changes to frank cancer is something like 7-10 yrs in colorectal cancer.

Question: How old do you have to be to develop colon cancer? I'm 22 years old and I'm having some problems. I have streaks of blood in my stools and I;m having a hard time going to the bathroom. I keep getting constipated. I eat fiber rich oatmeal and fiber bars almost everyday and I still have issues. I'm constantly bloated and gassy. Could this be colon cancer?

Answer: i'd say go to your doctor, just to be on the safe side

Question: Colon Cancer? My brother-in-law has just been diagnosed with colon cancer. Apparently it's already spread to his liver and lungs. He also has some cysts formed on his kidneys and pancreas. They've told him it's terminal and he has about 3 years to live. The man is only 41! He has 4 young girls, the youngest being 3. He hasn't started any treatment yet, but they're going to do a colonscopy, and will remove the colon, then he'll start chemo. My question: Is there anything out there that could possibly fix the damage done? Any sort of herbal remedies he could try before the doctors start their treatment? What about life insurance? Does anyone know of a company that will cover him? Has anyone recovered from this illness personally? If so, how? We refuse to let him die without first trying every available resource possible. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answer: This is a very diffucult situation, and hope the very best for all of you. I hate diagnosing cancer like this. It's always hard, and your comments are not unlike virtually each and every case I've ever heard from patients and their family. Everyone wants to try everything and anything possible. But most don't know which way to turn, and what to do. Along the trail, your likely internet research will reveal a host of "potential cures," and "treatments" that target cancer. A lot of this will be overseas, and out of reach in many ways. Yet, many of the "cures" are also completely unsupportable and hold no merit. They are poorly conducted, and the average person (layman/woman) doesn't know any better. It will give you hope, but inevitably, and letdown. You brother-in-law's cancer is a bad one, and I know you understand this. The likelihood he survives it will be a true miracle, and only time will tell. My suggestion would be to get him to a cancer institute (like MD Anderson in Houston, TX, or the like) and let them take a look at things. These places are on the cutting edge of treatment and research, and are often able to use some newer medications that are still in the study phase. Treatments he could not find anywhere else through most basic oncologists where he currently lives. For his liver metastasis, I would CERTAINLY recommend liver radioablation therapy. I've seen this work for several people -- quite well, but not all. In the meantime, I would suggest that he eat as healthy as possible -- avoiding too many processed foods. Stick to organic fruits and veggies, and very lean meats like fish, poultry, etc. Don't run out and but a bunch of unresearched herbs either. Wait on that. Consult with the doctor on everything. Let them guide you through this time. They have the knowledge and the insight. My very best and humble support to you all. God bless.

Question: Are there any cancer charities that are very generous to colon cancer support and research? I would like to give out donations as favors at my wedidng, and since my father died of colon cancer I would like to find a charity that supports this cause. There are many breast cancer charities, but not many for other specialties. Please provide sourcing if you can so I can verify that information is correct!

Answer: www.bowelcancerresearch.org

Question: Is it possible to have colon cancer so young? My husband has every symptom listed of colon cancer except for weight loss, but he is only 31 years old. This just can't be right... I made him get checked out today and now we are just waiting for a specialist to to look at his colon next week.

Answer: Colon cancer can occur at any age, but the symptoms are far more commonly displayed by lesser illnesses. Colonic cancers are more prevalent in older patients, but there has been an increase in the number of younger patients who follow a western style diet high in processed foods. "Common illnesses are common" is one of the first things quoted to medical students, and there are many common ailments which singly or in combination can cause all of the symptoms of colonic cancer. Accurate diagnosis involves taking tissue samples for microscopic examination and the process in which this is done can be a bit uncomfortable but is not painful. The internet and self-diagnosis can in many ways be more worrying than the illness itself. Stop assuming it's cancer and let the expert make a diagnosis. Even if your worst fears are realised, then early detection and modern treatment ensure a high survival rate; treatments have dramatically improved even in the three years that I've been interested in oncology.

Question: How bad is it when doctors use radiation as treatment for stage 4 colon cancer? My best friend has stage 4 colon cancer. She's only 24 years old. She told me that they are going to start radiation, what does that mean? I read about how they do it, but how bad does it have to be before they do radiation?

Answer: Just as the poster before me, they do radiation even for Stage 2 cancers. I have to get radiation for Stage 3B Breast Cancer I was officially diagnosed as cancer free but I have still have to go thrut he radiation as a safety measure. All Stage 4 cancer is bad but that does not mean that she can't beat it--people beat statistics all the time. Keep a positive attitude and my thoughts and prayers are with you and her and the family during this difficult time.

Question: what are the odds that my boyfriend has colon cancer? my boyfriend recently told me that he has a long history of colon cancer with the males in his family. im not sure if he shows any symptoms of it,but im just worried. every 14 years all of the men in their family get a check up for it,just to make sure. i don't know if im making a big deal out of it,but i just want to make sure he's ok.do you think that he might have it?

Answer: I would say the best thing for you to do is relax. Ask him to check to make sure there isn't traces of blood in his feces. Scants of red blood could mean that a polyp is open. A polyp is a sign of rectal and colon cancer. If he is being checked out however there shouldn't be anything to worry about. He may also want to change his diet to include foods that support a healthy colon. try www.mayoclinic.com

Question: When you have stage 4 colon cancer and you are undergoing chemo is it hard or can you work? I have an inlaw that underwent a recurring surgery to have his colon removed. His cancer has spreaded to his liver.

Answer: "Panda" is the top answerer in this category, but I have to disagree with her statement that "stage IV disease . . . means that it will be more difficult to treat and take longer than a stage 1 .. that's all." Colon cancer metastatic to the liver is not likely to be cured in any medical center. Chemotherapy is usually given to buy some time - often in terms of extra months rather than many years. The chemotherapy given for colon carcinoma is usually better tolerated than more aggressive regimens used for other types of cancer. I have had some patients tolerate 5FU based chemo regimens well enough to work if they wanted to - usually they did not. Often it is the advancing malignancy in the liver that leads to weakness and weight loss plus lack of energy and decreased activity level. Added note re: Lola's answer (which is otherwise fine) - I've never heard a stage "five" cancer. Stage four means the cancer has spread to distant areas - such as the liver in this case. There is no stage beyond stage four. And stage does refer to the malignant disease - not to the treatment - though the treatment is tailored to the stage of the disease. These are small points. What you want to know is that the treatment is usually not very rough. If your family member is in good shape, he may have some good quality time left. If there is truly significant liver involvement, many years of survival would be unusual. Survival does vary with the level of involvement. The National Cancer Institute indicates that people with three or fewer lesions in the liver can do better.for longer periods -- perhaps 25% survival at five years compared to less than 5% survival at five years for more extensive liver involvement Correcting myself - Lola is correct. If you count stage 0, there are five stages - - but stage four is the last stage. Also - of course no doctor is God and no one can say when someone will die. We can only provide information about the usual outcomes based on previous people. I did not use the word "terminal" in my cancer specialty medicine practice. All of us are terminal. There are always people who do better than average.