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Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience?

Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Sep 5, 2023 | Replies (52)

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@colleenyoung

Welcome, @not2ruthless. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- Stage 3 colon cancer: What's your experience? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stage-3-colon-cancer-diagnosed-yesterday/

I did this to help connect you easily with other colon cancer members like @maya8238 @paul28 @lisag03 @martin77 @kitty2 @chrisjenn8287.

I'd also like to bring in @mercator @cnso and @bea1972, who have had immunotherapy for colon cancer. Here's a related discussion on that topic.
- Immunotherapy - Keytruda for colorectal cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/immunotherapy-keytryda/

Not2ruthless, when do you have your next followup to check how treatment is working? How are you doing?

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Replies to "Welcome, @not2ruthless. I moved your message to this existing discussion: - Stage 3 colon cancer: What's..."

Hello and thanks! I have had two Keytruda only treatments thus far and another one this Friday. They are scheduled for every three weeks. The only side effects for me right now seem to be .... very dry and irritated skin (maybe a rash on face, but dermatologist does not think that is due to treatments) and at times maybe a little lack of energy. I DO have to add tho, that these both could also be attributed to winter time and lack of general physical stamina since was so inert for awhile with the tumor spasms!

The good news is, the tumor pain is totally gone, and the surgeon can tell that's it's already shrinking!! He also said that it had been observed that these can almost shrink down to a "scar" type of thing. (p.s. my colon cancer type is MMR BRAF Mutation (acquired mismatched) He said another surgery would be required even so, and because of its location -- being so close to abdominal sides (and they had found during the initial surgery that there was no "fatty" issue to cut around....it could still be a rough one.) This is concerning to me, because they won't know until get in there again with those laparascopic Edward scissor hands!!!

I will be getting the Oncologist take this Friday on possible time lines, initially they had said treatments for 4-6 months, but surgeon felt this might not take that long. I am thinking also, about getting a second opinion before what could be a major surgery (if they have to rebuild abdominal walls, etc.)

But I am sure happy to report that for ME, I have not found either the treatments NOR any effects that are that worrisome. Am aware this can change as treatments continue, but having no tumor pain has been a huge huge blessing in the meantime!!

Thanks for asking, and will keep everyone updated!