Thank you @colleenyoung Yes. I was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer in October 2023, with mets to the liver and several lymph nodes. I had no previous history of cancer. I’m doing well. After the Ileostomy in November 2023, my quality of life improved dramatically. I’ve been on first-line Nivolumab (Opdivo) plus Ipilimumab (Yervoy) immunotherapy treatment since November 2023. My last PET/CT scan, in September, showed “no current PET/CT evidence of hypermetabolic malignancy,” and my oncologist said she considers this a “complete response” (to the immunotherapy). I have another PET/CT scan next week and am hoping that the positive results continue.
I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with "innumerable" mets to the liver (in both lobes, inoperable) in July of 2022. 30+ rounds of chemo later and one surgery to remove part of my colon and I'm still here. I have a wonderful life. Painful and tiring much of the time? Yes. But still wonderful. Educate yourself, pursue physical and mental healing, and do what you can to change your odds.of survival. They are still crappy odds, but not impossible.
I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with "innumerable" mets to the liver (in both lobes, inoperable) in July of 2022. 30+ rounds of chemo later and one surgery to remove part of my colon and I'm still here. I have a wonderful life. Painful and tiring much of the time? Yes. But still wonderful. Educate yourself, pursue physical and mental healing, and do what you can to change your odds.of survival. They are still crappy odds, but not impossible.
You have shared a very positive and encouraging story about your journey with cancer. I especially like, "Educate yourself, pursue physical and mental healing, and do what you can to change your odds of survival." It is important to be our patient advocate when we are dealing with cancer. Education (learning about cancer), and pursuing healing on all levels, are great.
How are you feeling? What symptoms are the most troublesome for you?
I'm aged 79 and was diagnosed with secondary liver cancer in July after 3 scans. This followed a colon cancer op in November 2022 and 3 months chemo, after which I made a rapid recovery (and achieved over 2,000 miles on my e-bike!). An operation on 16 August removed 3 small tumours and 2 suspicious spots which turned out to be non-cancerous. Since then I've been in recovery mode and gradually increasing the miles walked each week, currently around 15-20, but not yet back on the bike. I'm waiting to hear the results of a scan if chemo is required but at an initial meeting with my oncologist he thought this may be unnecessary.
Despite secondary liver cancer being rated stage 4 it does seem possible to live a near normal life for several years provided it has not progressed too far. If it weren't for the scans I had in the summer, when I felt 100% fit, things could well be different by now, so thank God for scans. I remain positive but time will tell. Best of luck with your diagnosis and any treatment that may be necessary.
Keeping fit physically and mentally does seem to be a key ingredient in keeping cancer at bay or stopping / slowing up its return. Since the end of October, following my liver resection on 16 August, it's been good to be back on my e-bike and I have covered over 500 miles since then. Also, lots of walking and 5 weeks of skiing during which I celebrated my 80th! The best news in early December was that following a CT scan and an MRI scan no chemo was considered necessary this time. Looking forward to lots of good things happening in 2025 but all the time aware that a new scan could have an impact on these - hopefully not! I'm so grateful to my hospital team for looking after me so well.
Keeping fit physically and mentally does seem to be a key ingredient in keeping cancer at bay or stopping / slowing up its return. Since the end of October, following my liver resection on 16 August, it's been good to be back on my e-bike and I have covered over 500 miles since then. Also, lots of walking and 5 weeks of skiing during which I celebrated my 80th! The best news in early December was that following a CT scan and an MRI scan no chemo was considered necessary this time. Looking forward to lots of good things happening in 2025 but all the time aware that a new scan could have an impact on these - hopefully not! I'm so grateful to my hospital team for looking after me so well.
You have shared some useful information, @martin77. Your active lifestyle and attitude have certainly been of help to you. I appreciate you sharing these thoughts.
Yes, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing is performed after liver resection for colorectal cancer (CRC). This testing is used to monitor for minimal residual disease (MRD) and to detect potential recurrence of cancer. Here are some key points:
It's important to discuss with your healthcare provider to understand how ctDNA testing might be used in your specific case and to determine the best surveillance and treatment plan.
Thanks for alerting me to ctDNA testing, which I had not heard of before. Sounds very encouraging, particularly if a negative result is obtained. I'm asking my oncologist in the UK if I can have a test.
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Yes I would message. Sometimes making a call or messaging again they just might get you in sooner.
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1 Reaction@positiveps, you may also wish to join the discussions in the Ostomy support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ostomy/
Your experiences living with an ileostomy may be helpful.
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1 ReactionI was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer with "innumerable" mets to the liver (in both lobes, inoperable) in July of 2022. 30+ rounds of chemo later and one surgery to remove part of my colon and I'm still here. I have a wonderful life. Painful and tiring much of the time? Yes. But still wonderful. Educate yourself, pursue physical and mental healing, and do what you can to change your odds.of survival. They are still crappy odds, but not impossible.
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9 ReactionsHello @bigskysue,
You have shared a very positive and encouraging story about your journey with cancer. I especially like, "Educate yourself, pursue physical and mental healing, and do what you can to change your odds of survival." It is important to be our patient advocate when we are dealing with cancer. Education (learning about cancer), and pursuing healing on all levels, are great.
How are you feeling? What symptoms are the most troublesome for you?
Keeping fit physically and mentally does seem to be a key ingredient in keeping cancer at bay or stopping / slowing up its return. Since the end of October, following my liver resection on 16 August, it's been good to be back on my e-bike and I have covered over 500 miles since then. Also, lots of walking and 5 weeks of skiing during which I celebrated my 80th! The best news in early December was that following a CT scan and an MRI scan no chemo was considered necessary this time. Looking forward to lots of good things happening in 2025 but all the time aware that a new scan could have an impact on these - hopefully not! I'm so grateful to my hospital team for looking after me so well.
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3 ReactionsYou have shared some useful information, @martin77. Your active lifestyle and attitude have certainly been of help to you. I appreciate you sharing these thoughts.
Just curious is your oncologist monitoring recurrence with ctDNA testing?
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1 ReactionYes, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing is performed after liver resection for colorectal cancer (CRC). This testing is used to monitor for minimal residual disease (MRD) and to detect potential recurrence of cancer. Here are some key points:
1. **Surveillance**: ctDNA testing is often incorporated into surveillance strategies for patients who have undergone curative resection of CRC. It helps in identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828499?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1").
2. **Prognostic Value**: Studies have shown that ctDNA positivity after surgery is associated with a higher risk of recurrence and can be a powerful prognostic biomarker for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS)[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.esmo.org/oncology-news/evidence-for-the-utility-of-ctdna-monitoring-for-recurrence-after-crc-resection-and-mortality-risk-stratification-for-guiding-adjuvant-therapy?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "2").
3. **Guiding Treatment**: ctDNA testing can also guide treatment decisions, such as the need for adjuvant chemotherapy, by identifying patients with molecular residual disease[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://www.esmo.org/oncology-news/evidence-for-the-utility-of-ctdna-monitoring-for-recurrence-after-crc-resection-and-mortality-risk-stratification-for-guiding-adjuvant-therapy?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "2").
4. **Clinical Research**: Ongoing research continues to evaluate the optimal frequency and clinical benefits of ctDNA testing in improving outcomes for patients with resected CRC[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2828499?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "1")[43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054](https://learn.colontown.org/topic/ctdna-testing-for-patients-undergoing-liver-resection-dr-newhook-2022/?citationMarker=43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054 "3").
It's important to discuss with your healthcare provider to understand how ctDNA testing might be used in your specific case and to determine the best surveillance and treatment plan.
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3 ReactionsThanks. Very useful to have this information prior to hearing the results of latest CT scan.
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1 ReactionThanks for alerting me to ctDNA testing, which I had not heard of before. Sounds very encouraging, particularly if a negative result is obtained. I'm asking my oncologist in the UK if I can have a test.
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