Spreading Of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer and lung cancer are two different things. Colon cancer can metastasize to the lung, but it is still colon cancer.

2008-03-20 18:13:12 by mbpisano

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when colon cancer spreads to the liver, what is it called?

When a type of cancer originates in one area and moves into another or grows to a point and becomes "metastatic" it is called by the original site of the cancer. So in this case, it is colon cancer that has moved into the liver so genetically speaking, it is still "colon cancer".

The cells have moved on and multiplied and traveled from of the orignal site to new places in the body. Another example is lung cancer that may move to the breast or liver, or vise versa, it is still ok to call it by the original site or organ it has invaded. Many times if left unchecked it ends up in the bones, so you could also say it has metastisized into bone cancer.

I won't bore you with genetic addresses but basically research has progressed to a point that each cell is given a name and stage as it divides and multiplies. Research has found genetic addresses in the DNA where the cells originate. When genes in the DNA have been altered or damaged genetically they cause the immune system to faulter. It takes two perfect genes to fight off 1 cancer gene. This is how cancer starts and spreads. It attacks the weaker gene and starts its mutation of the cell and eventually turns into a tumor and kills healthy cells to the point where ther organ fails if not caught in time.

Progression points (markers) have been named as we know, stage 1,2,3,4, and so on depending on how far the cancer has spread and size of the tumor margins for each type of cancer etc. In some cases when the cells invade past the margin of the tumor, it has become insitu,, and spread to lymph nodes we now have a new road for the cancer to spread through the blood stream into the lymph system that can go any place it so chooses into in the body with no way for us to know exactly what direction it will take. It pretty much has a mind of its own. This is why medicine has developed so many different kinds of Chemo therapy and radiation treatments to deal with the patients personal cancer battle plan. Hope this all helps, best wishes!

2006-07-09 12:38:06 by Jean L

The blood test came back fine, and radiation and chemo was being received for the spot of colon cancer (which had spread). They are now having a PET scan done to see what these spots are - and it is posible there is just damage from the radiation or chemo (about 1 month ago)- have you heard of this?
Anyways, any help (nothing to do with prayer, staying happy...I am not in the mood for that stuff right now) you can give is appreciated.
Um I wasn't meaning to say that the cancer had spread by a Cat Scan, but that this was the test that has caused concern.

Radiation can cause damage to the colon. The test may have been done to see if the spot on the colon was damaged tissue or cancerous tissue.

Cancer can spread via direct extension, like growing bigger and bigger and invading surrounding tissue, or through the lymphatic system, which could cause it to spread throughout the body and to other organs or could spread through the blood also to other areas in the body.

The test could have been performed to check any of these. You should just ask your dr why they are doing this test and what they are looking for.

2007-08-21 05:39:21 by weredoomed

I was wondering after someone has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and then after 6 months of chemo it has spread to the liver acn they operate and take it out of the liver or does the cancer just find another part of the body to go to

Once cancer has spread to a distant site we know cancer cells are circulating in the body and they can start a new tumor anywhere. The liver is usually the first place colon cancer spreads. The liver would never be removed as the patient would die. Sometimes the lesions are removed, but this is not a curative measure.

2009-10-07 14:48:41 by twins

im 18 male dont smoke or drink or do drugs im worried that i have colon cancer my bowel movements have been bad somedays i go 4or 5 days without one and when i do i feel incomplete. i have recently have had trouble breathing in the morning but gets better throughout the day however last night i had it again and now i have pain in my ribs. i also feel weak all day and im worried if i do have it if its spread

does colon cancer spread to the liver first though causing juandice?

To answer your first question; you will know when you have stage 4 colon cancer when a doctor tells you. This is not something you can diagnose yourself even if you were a doctor.

Whether or not you smoke, drink or do drugs is really pretty irrelevant and you should know there are people who do none of these things that are diagnosed with cancer everyday.

By far most colon cancers do metastasize to the liver first, but rarely does this cause jaundice and it is possible for mets to turn up anywhere while completely skipping the liver.

It is so very rare for someone your age to have colon cancer that it doesn’t even rank in the top 20 possible things it could be and there is nothing in your question that would make colon cancer a logical conclusion. You should also know most colon cancers are slow growing and people can have it for years without symptoms. It is recommended to begin colon cancer screening at age 50. If the test does not turn up anything then it is usually recommend the person be screened again in another 10 years.

Regardless of the cause of your problem it is not normal for someone your age to have breathing problems or to feel weak for any length of time. I think the first thing you should do is talk to your mom about your symptoms, follow her advice and if you are not feeling better in a week or two, or if your symptoms worsen, then go to a doctor.

2008-07-16 19:10:48 by wii man