Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Colon Cancer Other Than Chemo
Question: Can i speak to a dr regarding colon cancer
Brief Answer:
Yes, You can!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for trusting and using our services.
I am right here and would be more than happy to talk with you regarding cancer of the colon. Can you kindly type out your query so that I can address it and open the doors for further discussions on this?
Hope to hear from you. I wish you well.
Yes, You can!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for trusting and using our services.
I am right here and would be more than happy to talk with you regarding cancer of the colon. Can you kindly type out your query so that I can address it and open the doors for further discussions on this?
Hope to hear from you. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My dad had surgery to remove a colon cancet . Was a dukes c1 with 10 nodes affected (28 nodes removed altogether).
Can it be a c1 with 10 nodes ?
Also he refussing chemo n we worried mets will appear? Is there any other treatment he can have?
Can it be a c1 with 10 nodes ?
Also he refussing chemo n we worried mets will appear? Is there any other treatment he can have?
Brief Answer:
Yes, C is correct!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.
Duke C means that the cancer cells were not seen beyond the lymph nodes, No matter how many lymph nodes are affected, there is no change in the stage.
I am as concerned as you are about your dad refusing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is capital to help reduce the chances of distant metastases. Radiotherapy is an option, not as effective as chemotherapy and rather used as a complementary treatment to chemotherapy and not an alternative. Please, talk to hi, understand his reasons for not wanting to accept chemotherapy and lets' try to address in the hope that he would change his mind. Also, talk to him about the possible risk that he runs should he decline chemotherapy.
I hope this helps. I wish hi well. Come back to me with what the possible reasons are so that together we may formulate an approach to address them with him.
Yes, C is correct!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.
Duke C means that the cancer cells were not seen beyond the lymph nodes, No matter how many lymph nodes are affected, there is no change in the stage.
I am as concerned as you are about your dad refusing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is capital to help reduce the chances of distant metastases. Radiotherapy is an option, not as effective as chemotherapy and rather used as a complementary treatment to chemotherapy and not an alternative. Please, talk to hi, understand his reasons for not wanting to accept chemotherapy and lets' try to address in the hope that he would change his mind. Also, talk to him about the possible risk that he runs should he decline chemotherapy.
I hope this helps. I wish hi well. Come back to me with what the possible reasons are so that together we may formulate an approach to address them with him.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Its because of the side effects he got told like nausea, weight loss, etc he does not think hel cope with the side effects.
What is prognosis like for c1?
Do mets usually appear anytime after surgery?he had surgery 26 march and we are thinking of requesting a pet scan for XXXXXXX to check again
What is prognosis like for c1?
Do mets usually appear anytime after surgery?he had surgery 26 march and we are thinking of requesting a pet scan for XXXXXXX to check again
Brief Answer:
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
I understand these side effects can be scary but the complications and prognosis of metastases are worse. Though he may have nausea, we also have drugs to help lessen the severity of symptoms and maintain an acceptable quality of life.
If treatment is completed with no metastases in the long run, then he has nothing ore to worry about. If metastases develop, prognosis would depend on the organ affected. For instance, the prognosis would be worse if the liver is affected compared to the spine.
Doing a scan to look for metastases is not an urgency right now. What matters most is that he should be able to somehow accept his follow up treatment and not get discouraged by side effects. All treatment options, even the surgery had its undesirable side effects.
You may go for the scan but am not too much of looking for complications but actively fighting the onset of complications. this requires that he strongly consider to take his chemotherapy.
What would you do it the scan return and say there are metastases to the liver/lungs/bones etc? Let me know and I will be more direct talking about this sensitive topics.
I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes.
Thanks!
Detailed Answer:
I understand these side effects can be scary but the complications and prognosis of metastases are worse. Though he may have nausea, we also have drugs to help lessen the severity of symptoms and maintain an acceptable quality of life.
If treatment is completed with no metastases in the long run, then he has nothing ore to worry about. If metastases develop, prognosis would depend on the organ affected. For instance, the prognosis would be worse if the liver is affected compared to the spine.
Doing a scan to look for metastases is not an urgency right now. What matters most is that he should be able to somehow accept his follow up treatment and not get discouraged by side effects. All treatment options, even the surgery had its undesirable side effects.
You may go for the scan but am not too much of looking for complications but actively fighting the onset of complications. this requires that he strongly consider to take his chemotherapy.
What would you do it the scan return and say there are metastases to the liver/lungs/bones etc? Let me know and I will be more direct talking about this sensitive topics.
I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
You are so right.
They have offered chemo tablets n after a lengthy discussion again today he has agreed to try! Thank god.
Had surgery march. U think mets could already have developed ?
He has a bit of cold at the mo and im worried it might be due to maybe mets
They have offered chemo tablets n after a lengthy discussion again today he has agreed to try! Thank god.
Had surgery march. U think mets could already have developed ?
He has a bit of cold at the mo and im worried it might be due to maybe mets
Brief Answer:
Please, What is "MO"
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up information.
I am happy to hear he accepted to take the tablets. That is the single and most important thing to do at this time.
I can suggest that he has developed mets. Unless a test clearly says so, i will not want to make hasty conclusions that would only heighten the tension and not help with the healing. A follow up test would situate us on this.
Also, I did not understand the meaning of "mo". Can you help me with this?
Thanks!
Please, What is "MO"
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up information.
I am happy to hear he accepted to take the tablets. That is the single and most important thing to do at this time.
I can suggest that he has developed mets. Unless a test clearly says so, i will not want to make hasty conclusions that would only heighten the tension and not help with the healing. A follow up test would situate us on this.
Also, I did not understand the meaning of "mo". Can you help me with this?
Thanks!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I mean he has developed a cold at the moment- keeps getting sore throats.
U mean if he had surgery march he probably has mets now!
U mean if he had surgery march he probably has mets now!
Brief Answer:
Cannot tell whether he has mets or not!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Well, it could be very easy for him to develop infections now because cancer leads to a weakened immune system.
There is no way to say that he has mets now unless a test shows it. For now, he has not mets and only testing can make me to change this stand point.
I wish him well. Courage as you accompany and support him through this process.
Cannot tell whether he has mets or not!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Well, it could be very easy for him to develop infections now because cancer leads to a weakened immune system.
There is no way to say that he has mets now unless a test shows it. For now, he has not mets and only testing can make me to change this stand point.
I wish him well. Courage as you accompany and support him through this process.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this figure. CEA is important in persons who are being screened of cancer of the colon. Because he has already had this, what matter is not the absolute number but how it compares to previous values. It may be 3 and rising from about 2, it is worrisome. it may be 3and falling from a 5, it is reassuring. I will like you to provide me with the previous numbers so that I can accurately comment whether there is an active disease going on or it is regressing. In the strictest sense, it should be less than 3.
I hope you get the logic of interpretation. Let me hear from you.
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this figure. CEA is important in persons who are being screened of cancer of the colon. Because he has already had this, what matter is not the absolute number but how it compares to previous values. It may be 3 and rising from about 2, it is worrisome. it may be 3and falling from a 5, it is reassuring. I will like you to provide me with the previous numbers so that I can accurately comment whether there is an active disease going on or it is regressing. In the strictest sense, it should be less than 3.
I hope you get the logic of interpretation. Let me hear from you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This is the first time he has done the cea test after surgery in march. Bug my dad is a smoker ?
He smokes and drinks alcohol. Could this increase chances of mets?
He smokes and drinks alcohol. Could this increase chances of mets?
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Alcohol and tobacco are risk factors to develop cancer and not metastases.
The main contributing factor to mets are late diagnosis and poor management.
Because this is the first time he has this CEA measures, a follow up value in 1, 3 and 6 months would be advised to monitor the disease activity. Please, double check to see whether for sure it was not done because it is a very good tool to monitor cancer activity after surgery.
Feel free to ask for more clarification or information if needed.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Alcohol and tobacco are risk factors to develop cancer and not metastases.
The main contributing factor to mets are late diagnosis and poor management.
Because this is the first time he has this CEA measures, a follow up value in 1, 3 and 6 months would be advised to monitor the disease activity. Please, double check to see whether for sure it was not done because it is a very good tool to monitor cancer activity after surgery.
Feel free to ask for more clarification or information if needed.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He only gad surgery march so cae test was done may but next week i will double check if one was due previous.
Is c1 late stage ? The problem was he had anemia for 2 years n gp did nothing at all apart from give tablets ! They were in the wrong .
The main worry for us is about mets.
With chemo will the chance if mets reduce alot?
Is c1 late stage ? The problem was he had anemia for 2 years n gp did nothing at all apart from give tablets ! They were in the wrong .
The main worry for us is about mets.
With chemo will the chance if mets reduce alot?
Brief Answer:
Sorry to hear this!
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately your GP was in the wrong. Unexplained anemia in elderly is an indication for screening for cancer of the digestive tract. So sorry this was missed for as many as two years.
With chemotherapy, the chances of spread are reduced. If they should appear at all, they would be greatly retarded.
C1 stage is late. Ideally we like to catch it at the a stage where we can guarantee complete excision with surgery with no need for chemotherapy.
I also remain worried about mets. I pray we don't get there but should we, we would do our best using to best available evidence to address this. But until we get there, we are not just there yet and should not be too worried about that.
I wish you well. Feel free to request for more clarifications. Let me also hear from you when you get the CEA updates.
.
Sorry to hear this!
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately your GP was in the wrong. Unexplained anemia in elderly is an indication for screening for cancer of the digestive tract. So sorry this was missed for as many as two years.
With chemotherapy, the chances of spread are reduced. If they should appear at all, they would be greatly retarded.
C1 stage is late. Ideally we like to catch it at the a stage where we can guarantee complete excision with surgery with no need for chemotherapy.
I also remain worried about mets. I pray we don't get there but should we, we would do our best using to best available evidence to address this. But until we get there, we are not just there yet and should not be too worried about that.
I wish you well. Feel free to request for more clarifications. Let me also hear from you when you get the CEA updates.
.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I think im just overly worrying about mets appearing.
What chance do you think he has of them occuring ? E.g . 50/50?
Also , have u seen any cases whereby with a c1 they do not appear?
Is there any way these left over ( microscopic cells) can be identified at all if any?
Wud it be because some were left at surgery or is it from the lymph nodes they will have sneaked out jnto the body?
What chance do you think he has of them occuring ? E.g . 50/50?
Also , have u seen any cases whereby with a c1 they do not appear?
Is there any way these left over ( microscopic cells) can be identified at all if any?
Wud it be because some were left at surgery or is it from the lymph nodes they will have sneaked out jnto the body?
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me.
I understand the need to get concerned about possible mets but, you are not doing justice to yourself. You keep getting too disturbed by this. For now, he has no mets and that is the good news. Anticipating and predicting the future raises more questions than answers, raises more worries than solutions, etc. Keep cool! Your dad is of course not in the best of health right now but, certainly in the best possible as concerns his cancer.
Generally speaking, a good proportion of patients with c1 would go on to develop mets. Does it mean your dad would develop mets? No one can tell with certainty. Please..........be kind to yourself and celebrate the good days whilst they last.
Hope this helps. More concerns are welcomed!
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for following up with me.
I understand the need to get concerned about possible mets but, you are not doing justice to yourself. You keep getting too disturbed by this. For now, he has no mets and that is the good news. Anticipating and predicting the future raises more questions than answers, raises more worries than solutions, etc. Keep cool! Your dad is of course not in the best of health right now but, certainly in the best possible as concerns his cancer.
Generally speaking, a good proportion of patients with c1 would go on to develop mets. Does it mean your dad would develop mets? No one can tell with certainty. Please..........be kind to yourself and celebrate the good days whilst they last.
Hope this helps. More concerns are welcomed!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Last question . Hw long do mets take to develop?
I suppose chemo is tge key right now right?
I suppose chemo is tge key right now right?
Brief Answer:
No one has an answer to that!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.
No one knows how long it takes for mets to develop. It is highly variable and depends on several different factors including stage, treatment, etc. We generally do follow up monitoring at 1, 3, 6months using CEA to see if there is any more tumour activity. Some never, some already have, etc. Help him and be supportive as he goes through the chemotherapy.
Feel free asking as many more questions as you may wish. Am humbled responding to your questions. I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes!
No one has an answer to that!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up.
No one knows how long it takes for mets to develop. It is highly variable and depends on several different factors including stage, treatment, etc. We generally do follow up monitoring at 1, 3, 6months using CEA to see if there is any more tumour activity. Some never, some already have, etc. Help him and be supportive as he goes through the chemotherapy.
Feel free asking as many more questions as you may wish. Am humbled responding to your questions. I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I read online somewhere that if meta are to develop they do so within 2 yrs of the cancer starting . Is this true?
And that some cancers are destined to spread n some not ?
And that some cancers are destined to spread n some not ?
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
I understand your worries. I know what you would have loved as an answer but, I will not provide an answer just to please you. The above information is very inconsistent with what goes on in reality.
All cancers can have mets. What matters is how soon they were diagnosed and well managed.
I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes. You need to relax your mindset on this. Why are you pushing so hard to get there? We are not there yet.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
I understand your worries. I know what you would have loved as an answer but, I will not provide an answer just to please you. The above information is very inconsistent with what goes on in reality.
All cancers can have mets. What matters is how soon they were diagnosed and well managed.
I wish your dad the best of all possible outcomes. You need to relax your mindset on this. Why are you pushing so hard to get there? We are not there yet.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I know u are so right. You have really provided so much advice and help thank you.
Cuz he lost lot weight after surgery as had alot of eating issues and pain, 2 months after he is still 58 kg so things like that make me more worried
Plus he smokes too much so we are going to rell him to reduce if cant completley stop. All that makes me think hel get mets more.
Are 10 nodes affected alot?
Cuz he lost lot weight after surgery as had alot of eating issues and pain, 2 months after he is still 58 kg so things like that make me more worried
Plus he smokes too much so we are going to rell him to reduce if cant completley stop. All that makes me think hel get mets more.
Are 10 nodes affected alot?
Brief Answer:
see below!
Detailed Answer:
The fewer the number of involved nodes, the better the chances of no developing ets. Persons with 10 affected nodes may not develop a met while others whose nodes were declared negative can still develop mets. There is no absolute number that would make mets a certainty or not.
I appreciate your concern and the love for your dad. Talk to him but remember there is just so much that you cannot do on his behalf. Recognise what you can do and let him do what only he can do. As you actively look for advice and provide to him, he should act on it. I think you have done a great job so far and there is no reason to feel guilty about this.
I wish your dad well. Courage and I do understand how traumatising it is to watch your dad go through this frightening diagnosis and treatment.
see below!
Detailed Answer:
The fewer the number of involved nodes, the better the chances of no developing ets. Persons with 10 affected nodes may not develop a met while others whose nodes were declared negative can still develop mets. There is no absolute number that would make mets a certainty or not.
I appreciate your concern and the love for your dad. Talk to him but remember there is just so much that you cannot do on his behalf. Recognise what you can do and let him do what only he can do. As you actively look for advice and provide to him, he should act on it. I think you have done a great job so far and there is no reason to feel guilty about this.
I wish your dad well. Courage and I do understand how traumatising it is to watch your dad go through this frightening diagnosis and treatment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
His weight of 58 kg is too less right? Hes 65.
His weight of 58 kg is too less right? Hes 65.
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up.
This weight needs to be compared to his usual weight. if it is about the same, this is okay. If there is a big difference, this is concerning. 58kg is okay for some people, too much for others and may not be enough for some. What is his height?
What matters most are the previous weights.
Tell me what you think!
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this follow up.
This weight needs to be compared to his usual weight. if it is about the same, this is okay. If there is a big difference, this is concerning. 58kg is okay for some people, too much for others and may not be enough for some. What is his height?
What matters most are the previous weights.
Tell me what you think!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I think height is 5.3. He has never been an over weight person but he dropped weight after the operation more as had real eating issues.
A year ago he was about 64 kg ( before cancer duagnosis), then about 62 kg. after op dropped to 53 kg and now about 57.6 kg.
Do u think im worrying and thinking too much into mets ?
I should let the chemo get started rite and request a scan to check .?
I just dont know if he will keep chemo up as keeps saying hel leave it if side effects bad.
Can he have immunotherapy? Is curcumin and barley grass good to kill cells?
A year ago he was about 64 kg ( before cancer duagnosis), then about 62 kg. after op dropped to 53 kg and now about 57.6 kg.
Do u think im worrying and thinking too much into mets ?
I should let the chemo get started rite and request a scan to check .?
I just dont know if he will keep chemo up as keeps saying hel leave it if side effects bad.
Can he have immunotherapy? Is curcumin and barley grass good to kill cells?
Brief Answer:
Please, follow up with his doctors!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Yes, you worry too much about mets. I don't know why but you need to deal with what you have at hand and not what is not yet the case.
This is a significant loss in weight. Please, provide high caloric diet so that he can put on some more kilograms. It would be very helpful to him.
You sound like your dad seems very less concerned about this. Refusing chemo, saying he would quit, excessive smoking, etc. Remember this, though he is your dad, you cannot get too worried more than him as concerns his health. The best person to take care of his health is himself. If he doesn't. allow him on that. You would not die in his place should that be the end result of his irresponsible acts.
I hope this helps.
Please, follow up with his doctors!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Yes, you worry too much about mets. I don't know why but you need to deal with what you have at hand and not what is not yet the case.
This is a significant loss in weight. Please, provide high caloric diet so that he can put on some more kilograms. It would be very helpful to him.
You sound like your dad seems very less concerned about this. Refusing chemo, saying he would quit, excessive smoking, etc. Remember this, though he is your dad, you cannot get too worried more than him as concerns his health. The best person to take care of his health is himself. If he doesn't. allow him on that. You would not die in his place should that be the end result of his irresponsible acts.
I hope this helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yea i agree . I am also 7 mths pregnant so much worry not good.
I think with chemo he thinks he will not be able to cope with side effects. We will try to make him finish the course and reduce the smoking.
Its after surgery he lost more weight
Is immunotherapy available?
I think with chemo he thinks he will not be able to cope with side effects. We will try to make him finish the course and reduce the smoking.
Its after surgery he lost more weight
Is immunotherapy available?
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Your dad proves not to be compliant to proven and less expensive care which is the standard for treatment after surgery. There is no need to go looking for less effective and more expensive tests. What he is being proposed is the best possible in this category. If he wants anything less than the best, I am not comfortable with that. Immunotherpay is third line and in addition to surgery but not otherwise.
Be relaxed. He has to make the tough decisions and not you.
See below
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up.
Your dad proves not to be compliant to proven and less expensive care which is the standard for treatment after surgery. There is no need to go looking for less effective and more expensive tests. What he is being proposed is the best possible in this category. If he wants anything less than the best, I am not comfortable with that. Immunotherpay is third line and in addition to surgery but not otherwise.
Be relaxed. He has to make the tough decisions and not you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is immunotherapy available ? Or not yet?
Would you advise he has the chemo and we request a scan too?
Would you advise he has the chemo and we request a scan too?
Brief Answer:
Let his doctor make that decision and not you.
Detailed Answer:
Please, he has a treating physician. Follow up with him and he would ask these exams and tests when the time comes. You should not take the lead. You may suggest to him but not request for the test yourself.
Immunotherapy is more experimental than practical.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Let his doctor make that decision and not you.
Detailed Answer:
Please, he has a treating physician. Follow up with him and he would ask these exams and tests when the time comes. You should not take the lead. You may suggest to him but not request for the test yourself.
Immunotherapy is more experimental than practical.
I hope this helps. I wish you well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok thanks alot .
Brief Answer:
THanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for your kind words.
I am very grateful for this opportunity that you offered me to exchange with you. i will much appreciate it and it has been a very rewarding exchanges.
I wish your dad the best of possible outcomes. I very much wish he can be more responsible and contribute much more to his care. I know it can be difficult, I know he's doing his best but, I believe he can still do better.
I wish you well. I wish you a safe continuation of pregnancy and a safe delivery.
Best wishes in all your undertakings.
THanks, too!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for your kind words.
I am very grateful for this opportunity that you offered me to exchange with you. i will much appreciate it and it has been a very rewarding exchanges.
I wish your dad the best of possible outcomes. I very much wish he can be more responsible and contribute much more to his care. I know it can be difficult, I know he's doing his best but, I believe he can still do better.
I wish you well. I wish you a safe continuation of pregnancy and a safe delivery.
Best wishes in all your undertakings.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
