Colon Cancer Treatment

Question: Effectiveness of Xeloda and Avastin Combo As Primary Treatment for colon cancer that has spread to liver? Xeloda tablets daily and Avastin 2xmonth intervenous. How effective is this as a primary treatment for colon cancer that has matastized to the liver. Cancer is inoperable and also harsher chem/radiation regimens are not possible due to poor health and severe renal problems. Cancer was operated on some time back so it is not present in the colon. Just the liver.

Answer: I don't really know, but for what it's worth, I've included you in prayers to Jehovah God that he portion out some Holy Spirit upon you to help you deal withwhat you're going through. God Bless and thanks for reading.

Question: Effectiveness of Xeloda and Avastin combo as a primary treatment for colon cancer that has spread to liver? Xeloda tablets are taken twice daily and Avastin 2xmonth intervenous. How effective is this as a primary treatment for colon cancer that has matastized to the liver. The cancer is inoperable and also harsher chem/radiation regimens are not possible due to poor health and severe renal problems. The cancer was operated on some time back so it is not present in the colon. Just the liver. Thanks for helping

Answer: We don't know yet, hopefully it will be effective on my brother-in-law who just had the colon surgery when they found the lesions on his liver. I believe the combo is what his doctor recommended as well.

Question: I have damage in the lower intestines/colon from radiation cancer treatment 5 years ago. Any help? I would appreciate any help. Hoping for others who have had the same problem tell me what helped them or anyone with any ideas. Alternative treatments would be greatly appreciated but would consider others. Thanks. The details are that I need to have bowel movements several times a day and may not have good digestion (therefore, the supplements I take may not be working as well as they should be.). Which also causes raw tissue from excessive wiping. Sorry if this is too explicit. I have radiation colitis.

Answer: what about homeopathic treatment

Question: If someone has colon cancer and the only options are chemo or removal of the colon, can they deny treatment? Would family and friends be shocked if they refused treatment? If it's so bad the colon needs to be removed, won't some people prefer just to die from the cancer? The whole stoma thing... I couldn't do it.

Answer: Chemotherapy alone is not going to bring the cure. Nobody can/will force you to have an operation if you don't want it. But remember that having a segment of the colon doesn't necessarily mean that you will have a stoma. Often the two ends of the bisected colon are simply anastomosed together. Most people who actually have a stoma live a happy life with it. Given the choice between a stoma and death, most people will chose the stoma.Unfotunately some alternative practitioners exploit peoples predjudices/fears and offer them worthless treatments.

Question: colon cancer treatment? will i be able to get treated after 6-8 weeks of having symptoms of colon cancer? i feel fine right now ... i read somewhere that colon cancer can be treated if it is detected early...how early?? i am 20 years old....no family history of colon cancer

Answer: “Early� refers to how advanced the cancer is not a specific amount of time. You will be treated regardless of the stage of disease, but it doesn’t mean you will survive. The chances of survival and cure diminish with the progression. So the sooner you get to the doctor the better your odds.

Question: what are the treatment or surgerys of colon cancer? what are the names of treatments and surgerys for a patient who had colon cancer?

Answer: kellbell: I don't know that I can't tell you ALL the names and treatments for Colon CA, but I can tell you of my experience. 1). A colon CA might be discovered via a COLONOSCOPY....looking with a camera (no kiddin') into one's colon. Via the colonoscopy the MD's might view a normal colon, or perhaps find POLYPS, a growth on the lining of the colon POSSIBLY indicating a Cancer related cell growth, or an actual TUMOR (again an abnormal growth of cells) and again, as I understand, possibly a CA or possibly not. Lab testing of specimen tissue ( a BIOPSY) determines a CA growth and the type of. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy for lab testing. Should these polyps or an actual tumor be found to be CA, then I believe a surgery is indicated. The surgeons will remove the parts of the colon necessary in an operation called a COLECTOMY. The colon, your "large bowel" which is connected to your small intestines at one end and your rectum at the other, is basically identified in 3 parts: the ASCENDING COLON, the TRANSVERSE COLON, and the DESCENDING COLON. Surgical removal of a section of the colon is called a HEMICOLECTOMY, removal of all the colon is referred to as a TOTAL COLECTOMY or a SUB-TOTAL COLECTOMY, Some persons who receive a colectomy are also fitted with a COLOSTOMY, a "hole" in the abdomen via which an exterior bag device is located to accept the fecal matter ( poop..you know..) the patient produces. Such a patient , as long as they have a colostomy will no longer pass feces rectally..only into the device, which obviously the patient changes/empties as necessary. P.S., I have known people with a Colostomy who have had such for 25 years and better...you could "look at them and never know " they were wearing the device. In my case, I received a sub-total colectomy, I am basically without any colon save for a small remaining part near the rectum to which the distal end of my small intestines is attached. I do not have a colostomy. I attribute this to good luck and my surgeons' skill. another P.S....my Kaiser surgeon has "saved" me twice now. How does one acknowledge such a person, and all the other staff as well? I do it by having fun every day. THANKS AGAIN KAISER!!! Colon CA might also be treated with a course of CHEMOTHERAPY...basically a medicine designed to "attack and kill fast growing type cells), whether they are CA or not I suppose, thus some of the side effects of Chemo..{fatigue, nausea amongst others). Hey, another P.S., all through Chemo I also tried to have fun, and sorta did..I was as active as I could be given the circumstances. Being on chemo is not "a nightmare". After a surgery for colon CA the MD's will continue to follow a patient with follow up colonoscopies as well as other regular exams. I hope I have answered some of your questions, I know I have not stated "all the treatments existing for Colon CA", just those I am familiar with and aware of. Here is what I think of CA, and my experience. Cancer is like a bully, twice you size and completely able to pummel you, but no matter how many times he punches you...you get up and say "F/U cancer", whether you are going to get smashed again or not. F/U CANCER, and heres a big F/U for all those too ill to say it for themselves. Just as with all other bully's, one day you are going to get your A** kicked too.

Question: Approximately how long is a treatment of chemo for colon cancer? My boyfriends ex (mother of his son) was diagnosed recently. I don't know many details besides it hasn't spread to any other organs and they told her she'll need about 2 chemo treatments. I just wanted to know how long the treatments usually take? Also does this sound like a beatable cancer?

Answer: If she needs chemo but it has not spread to other organs, she likely is stage II or III, the difference primarily being lymph node involvement in stage III. Standard therapy is currently FolFOX, which is Folinic acid, 5FU, and OXaliplatin. It is given every 2 weeks for 12 treatments, so 6 months of therapy. There are other chemo options, including capecitabine (Xeloda), a pill which is converted to 5FU after swallowing, which can be give on a 3 week course 8 times- again 24 weeks or 6 months of therapy. 6 months is the norm. God bless, best wishes

Question: I have neuropathy of the hands. Does anyone have a treatment that may help me? I had colon cancer treatment?

Answer: Perhaps go and see a Neurologist. If it was chemo induced neuropathy then it should slowly recover over time, as nerves do regenerate, be it ever so slow (1mm per day). For what it's worth I am currently going through a Cisplatin induced periperal neuropathy which peaked at its worst probably around 4-5 months after completing my last course of chemo. It was quite distressing at the time as each week it was getting worse and worse with the numbness/tingling commencing at the toes and fingures and gradually working its way up until at its worst my arms and legs were numb, side of my face, loss of fine motor movement and balance! But it does get better over time. It is now almost 10-months since finishing chemo and there has been impovement as I am now able to type on the keyboard, write legibly (just a little) and the numbness is now just in my hands and feet. I am also able to handle cold items, which before I could not as it was shear agony and I don't get shooting pains which were also part of the problem. What did I do to overcome this? Well not much, I was initially taking a course of vitamin B6, B12 and multivitamin B supplements to supposedly assist in the nerve regeneration, but I only took these for a few weeks as they did not appear to be doing a great deal. In fact you need to be aware that B6 in high doses can in fact have the opposite effect and cause neuropathy! Basically I've maintained a healthy diet and underwent some rehab comprising of Occupational Therapy, Physical Eduaction and Phisio, along with regualr exercise (i.e walking). This all seemed to help and having someone massage hands and feet helps and feels great! Hope this is of some help. I'm told that it will improve over time and in my case it has, but it appears that it does get worse before it gets better. Generally the symptomns peaked at around 3 - 5 months after the last session of chemo, before starting to improve. All the best....

Question: Is there anyone you know who survived stage 4 Colon Cancer and what treatment? MY FATHER HAS BEEN TREATED W/ CHEMO FOR ALMOST A YEAR. SPREAD TO LIVER AND LYMPH NODE. IT IS INOPERABLE THEY ARE STILL DOING CHEMO. THERE ARE ALOT OF OPTIONS

Answer: I think you father has had a hard time with so much chemotherapy and I think that he should start looking elsewhere. There are cures for cancer but they are all actively suppressed. Go to my website and see how we cured my wife of stage 4 ovarian cancer. She is fine today and the cancer is long gone, 7 years after diagnoses.

Question: How do doctors check you for colon cancer? If I went to the hospital to get checked for colon cancer, what would they do to me to find out? How do they find out? And about how much do you think it will cost? And if I did have colon cancer, what treatment would they tell me to take? I'm trying to keep this question more general, what would they usually do? What would they normally do or recommend to anyone?

Answer: If your signs and symptoms indicate that you could have colon cancer, your doctor may recommend one of more tests and procedures, including: 1.Using a scope to examine the inside of your colon. Colonoscopy uses a long, flexible and slender tube attached to a video camera and monitor to view your entire colon and rectum. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor can pass surgical tools through the tube to take tissue samples (biopsies) for analysis. 2.Using dye and X-rays to make a picture of your colon. A barium enema allows your doctor to evaluate your entire colon with an X-ray. Barium, a contrast dye, is placed into your bowel in an enema form. During a double-contrast barium enema, air also is added. The barium fills and coats the lining of the bowel, creating a clear silhouette of your rectum, colon and sometimes a small portion of your small intestine. 3. Using multiple CT images to create a picture of your colon. Virtual colonoscopy combines multiple computerized tomography (CT) images to create a detailed picture of the inside of your colon. If you're unable to undergo colonoscopy, your doctor may recommend virtual colonoscopy. 4. Earlier and initially by conducting Blood tests. Your doctor may order blood tests to better understand what may be causing your signs and symptoms, but there are no blood tests that can detect colon cancer. Blood tests may include a complete blood count and organ-function tests. - A. With the test results of the above the doctor will confirm if you have colorectal cancer and advice you for further treatment planning depending of various conditions. Costwise it vary from contry to contry and unless we know where do you stay it is difficult to tell. This one you have to find out locally from an Onclogist or Oncology hospital. Generally as done for most of the cancers you will have to undergo treatments viz. Surgery, Chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The quantum of cycles of these treatments will be decided again on the basis of seviarity of your disease. - Please do not worry for the expesnes. You have to carry on the treatments suggested by the Oncologist and try to cure the disease as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA -

Question: I have a relative with Stage IV colon cancer. Has anyone tried a treatment called Avastin? Did it work? ? Anything can help. Anyone surviving stage four have some advice for a family member or sufferer?

Answer: This should give you some idea of the benefits we are seeing according to one group of patients studied:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112936.php Efficacy of Avastin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancers - a 82% increase in the time patients live without their disease getting worse (7.4 vs 13.5 months) vs chemotherapy alone - a 57% increase in overall survival (17.6 vs. 27.7 months) vs chemotherapy alone confirming that Avastin is the only biologic with proven survival benefit in this patient group - a significant increase in response rate; 60% compared to 37% in patients receiving chemotherapy alone - a 69% increase in the time patients live without their disease getting worse (5.5 vs 9.4 months) vs chemotherapy alone

Question: I have severe neuropathy in both feet following chemo treatment for colon cancer. How long will it last?

Answer: It is usually not permenant when related to chemo. Unfortunately, our current modalities ofchemo cannot differentiate between the cancer cells and normal cells in our body. So all cells especially the ones that divide rapidly like hair cells , skin cells, nerve cells get affecte. This causes a lot of unwanted side effects. Although there is no particular time frame, you will probaby start noticing some improvement in a few weeks. In the mean time, if it is peripheral neuropathy (affecting your feet or arms) make sure you keep them protected so you avoid injury.Simple things like shoes even inside the house will help.Check for any abraisions or skin breakage and get prompt treatment for the same. And remember, the pros outweigh the cons as far as your chemo goes. So hang in there and i'm sure you'll come out on top. good luck.

Question: What happens when a liver tumor from colon cancer no longer responds to any treatment and is growing?

Answer: If it isn't responding to treatment, the outcome is grim. It will most likely spread to more areas of the body and the person will inevitable not survive much longer. Very sad.

Question: i am having rdiation treatment for colon cancer i would like to know if...{Look below}? If you will feel diffrent when you get treatment? If so how will i feel? Also appearence wise will you look sick?

Answer: I don't get treatment. But i do know that your better off without it. You'll live longer if you just change your diet. My aunt have a cancer like that and she almost died in treatment, but she's lived 15 years without it so far, she's still alive and doing well today.

Question: what is the intial treatment for colon cancer?

Answer: Biopsy and Colonoscopy.

Question: Is there a treatment for skin sores and iching from colon cancer.? I have rectal cancer stage 4, I've had chem.and rad. treatment, and now iam breaking out in sores iand iching almost out of control.I have not had any treatment in 11 months.

Answer: Are we talking about the rectal area? You can try a sitz bath to help with the sores. You can buy one that fits over the toilet or you can just sit in a bathtub with a low level of water. You can buy saline solution or make it yourself by adding 2 tsps. salt (10mls) to every Litre (1000 mls) of water. Saline is more soothing than water. The temperature should be luke warm. Try not to use hot water because it dries out the skin which will probably make it more itchy. Warm water will increase vasoconstriction and may decrease itching. Do not add bath oils or other products to water. A hand held shower with a gentle spray or bathtub may be appropriate alternatives. Maximum 10 - 15 minutes, repeat up to 4 times a day and/or after each bowel movement. Gently pat area dry with a soft towel or expose area to room air. It might be a good idea to visit your doctor too. They may be able to prescribe some cream for you to use over the affected area. Hope this helps.