Just diagnosed: Surgery not an option, looking for hope

@sbelyea
Keeping abreast of other options always is a wise decision. Taking a proactive part in your search may rattle some physicians; pass these folks on by. It is your body and your life so seeking out additional therapies and enlisting a trusted person to keep you in good perspective's is also beneficial.
jofree

@wku
So True: Attitude with gratitude for just seeing another morning, a bird landing in a tree and chirping, a red velvet ant crosses your path' usually considered a good omen. Facing any unknown is unraveling but a good and grateful attitude usually stays one's course. Hang in there,.
jofree

@wku I have stage 3 CRC . I've done chemo and radiation.Look up Chris Wark he is a Colon cancer survivor, his square one program is inspirational. God Bless

My wife was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer with a large tumor in that same location and significant mets to her liver.
She was told she had 12 months and to go home and make her arrangements. We didn’t like that answer so we obtained second opinions from well know colon and liver surgeons.

Colon surgeon removed her tumor with ‘curative’ surgery and six months of chemo later her liver tumors had reduced to the point allowing a 50% liver resection four weeks ago. Liver surgeon believes she is now cancer free and doesn’t require any more chemo.

Takeaway is be relentless in looking for alternative options. It’s a ton of work and possible expense but in our case it appears to have saved her life.

In my third year of chemo for stage 4 colon cancer. Same location as yours. Originally mets were in peri and other places along outside of colon. Told not operable. Cea started in mid 40s now in single digits. Chemo consisted of 5 floro and another drug. Last scan showed only liver tumors but they have shrunk. Suddenly surgeon says Im now operable (although high risk of returning). Bottom line chemo has improved significantly. It’s still a chore but not like it was even a few years ago. Be heartened. The best defense to what lies ahead is a good attitude.

@nycmusic edit-i should mention that i was told my tumor was too big for safe and successful surgery….thank heaven for the immunotherapy…i hope it becomes more available to far more people !

I suggest to seek a 2nd opinion, I have seen in many posts on colontown how people were told surgery not an option and later on they qualified for it. Also, liver and lung mets are treatable with little hospital stay, assuming not a lot of them. I have my liver mets treated with microwave ablation, I was out and about in 1 day. My oncologist told me they have means to treat lung and peritoneal mets too. So, please seek 2nd opinion, preferably from a larger cancer center.

@cliffe75 Absolutely, check these things out…i had a rare and aggressive tumor, dMMR and immunotherapy knocked out all the cancer in only a few treatments…and surgery followed up….i had told the oncologist I really wanted an alternative to chemo…and the genetic testing was key. Good luck !

@vcsongradi
Hi I am colon cancer stage 3B. Just wondering if you have the molecular analysis of your tumor. (also called Genomic or Tumor Markers) Then you might be able to get Targeted Therapy. . i.e. the type of chemotherapy could be different based on which mutations they find in the specimen (either from biopsy or surgery). If you have KRAS G12C or D, there are specific drugs. Unfortunately, Targeted Therapy is not available for all mutations. If you are dMMR (deficient mismatch repair also know as Microsatellite Instability) then you could get immunotherapy. dMMR is less common, only about 5-15% of colorectal cancers. But certainly worth asking.

Hi, I am offering my thoughts. First, that is what the oncologists would say to surgery, not an option or let's see. I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer with large spread to peritoneum. After 11 rounds of FOLFOX, I was deemed stable and ready for cytoreduction surgery and HIPEC. Coming out of 12 hours surgery there was no evidence of disease left. Felt great, despite the challenges of post surgery recovery and later a much more dramatic surgery due to colon/small intestine rupture. Then 4 month later 2 metastases were found in my liver which after 4 rounds of FOLFIRI+avastin were ablated. I am now 2 months in with no sign of disease. Cancer life is a roller coaster, some really good days and some shitty. You have to hang in there, life is still good despite dr appt and pain. Your family loves you and they deserve to have you in their life. I go for walks in nature, I go meet friends, anything to make me feel normal. Please take care and wish you the best!