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!

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.

2007-09-17 11:09:18 by Hold-Em

The most deathly disease shared among men and women-Colon cancer. "We are what we eat.":Dietitian. How to take care of your Colon health ...

And how does one get screened for Intestinal cancer?

Colon cancer runs in my family and I have a colonoscopy every year. But I found out that a close relative has Intestinal cancer.

As other peole pointed out, "colon" cancer is a cancer specific of the large intestin, whereas "intestinal" cancer could affect any part of the intestine (including the small intestine, i.e. duodenum, ileum and jujenum).

If colon cancer runs in your family, you are likely to have FAP, or Familial adenomatous polyposis, an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome. People with the classic type of familial adenomatous polyposis may begin to develop multiple noncancerous (benign) polyps (growths) in the colon as early as their teenage years.
This cancer usually develops in the lower part of the digestive system, including the large intestine (colon) and rectum. However, the FAP syndrome could present a risk factor for the cancer of the small intestine (what your relative might have), therefore this person could also carry the genetic mutation that confers cancer predisposition (the APC gene, in the case of FAP).

Feel free to contact me for more information

2007-05-17 17:47:06 by WPB_LV_AV

Price: $14.99

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.

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.

2008-07-01 21:21:21 by arienamanda

Price: $9.99

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!

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

2008-12-17 08:55:28 by lalalala life is wonderful

I was reading a story that Farrah Fawcet has anal cancer. I thought we called it colon cancer or is there a difference?

Anal cancer and colon cancer are not exactly the same thing. Colon cancer occurs in the colon, also known as the large intestine. It usually occurs as the result of malignant (cancer) degeneration of a precancerous lesion known as a polyp. Anal cancer occurs in the anal canal. A different type of cell lines the anal canal and thus, it is a different type of cancer. They metastasize (spread) differently and are treated in somewhat different ways depending on the cell type involved.

2009-04-06 16:32:47 by browncat79