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Is Chemotherapy Effective For Dukes C1 Colon Cancer?
Question: Is chemotherapy worth taking for dukes c1 colon cancer ?
Brief Answer:
overall yes
Detailed Answer:
if you have indeed Duke C 1 colon cancer, it means there is metastasis to at least one lymph node.
Getting chemotherapy reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and increases survival time.
The difference is significant although chemotherapy is not the panacea. There have been many studies with different chemotherapeutic medications, the difference in survival is about 15% in average (meaning 15% more people survived the cancer at >10 years after diagnosis compared with people that got surgery alone). Some studies show more benefit than others but as i said that is about the difference.
Again, there are multiple chemo's available, talk to your oncologist, as each one has its different side effects. I strongly recommend chemotherapy for Duke C1 colon cancer.
Good luck. Let me know if you have further questions
overall yes
Detailed Answer:
if you have indeed Duke C 1 colon cancer, it means there is metastasis to at least one lymph node.
Getting chemotherapy reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and increases survival time.
The difference is significant although chemotherapy is not the panacea. There have been many studies with different chemotherapeutic medications, the difference in survival is about 15% in average (meaning 15% more people survived the cancer at >10 years after diagnosis compared with people that got surgery alone). Some studies show more benefit than others but as i said that is about the difference.
Again, there are multiple chemo's available, talk to your oncologist, as each one has its different side effects. I strongly recommend chemotherapy for Duke C1 colon cancer.
Good luck. Let me know if you have further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
yes get chemo
Detailed Answer:
if you had 10 lymph nodes affected, that is significant. that is considered "local" metastasis.
there is a risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis in other organs in the future, and chemotherapy as i mentioned earlier decreases this risk by a significant amount.
The reasoning behind it, is that even thought not all the lymph nodes were affected, and you don't have any distant metastasis (for example on the liver), you can have microscopic cancerous cells in your body that have not been detected, and will take months to even years to organize into another cancer or tumor, therefore it is important to "kill" those bad cells you can still potentially have, even after during surgery the cancer was removed.
Hope that makes sense, let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
yes get chemo
Detailed Answer:
if you had 10 lymph nodes affected, that is significant. that is considered "local" metastasis.
there is a risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis in other organs in the future, and chemotherapy as i mentioned earlier decreases this risk by a significant amount.
The reasoning behind it, is that even thought not all the lymph nodes were affected, and you don't have any distant metastasis (for example on the liver), you can have microscopic cancerous cells in your body that have not been detected, and will take months to even years to organize into another cancer or tumor, therefore it is important to "kill" those bad cells you can still potentially have, even after during surgery the cancer was removed.
Hope that makes sense, let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I hope my dad can tolerate chemo though . Hes being stubborn at the moment that he doesnt want it.
Does everybody have microscopic cells left behind in colon cancer even after surgery ?
Is there a chance that he may not have microdvopic cells ?
Would a pet scan detect the microscopic cells? Cuz then we can get one requested asap .
Also even though he does have chemo
Can he still get mets in organs?
Does everybody have microscopic cells left behind in colon cancer even after surgery ?
Is there a chance that he may not have microdvopic cells ?
Would a pet scan detect the microscopic cells? Cuz then we can get one requested asap .
Also even though he does have chemo
Can he still get mets in organs?
Brief Answer:
see below
Detailed Answer:
1. not everybody has microscopic cells left behind after colon cancer surgery.
2. yes, there is a chance he is already cured after surgery, and he may not benefit from chemo, but it is impossible to really know so early, and if he does not get chemo he has a higher chance of getting a recurrence.
3. PET scan would not pick up any microscopic cancer cells elsewhere in the body (nor any other study).
4. Even after he get chemo, he can still get mets in other organs in the future, but chances are much less. This is the main reason chemo is recommended in his case.
If your dad does not want chemo it is also understandable, but risky. Chemo has many side effects, and I can't tell you that it is going to be a walk in the park.
Hope that answers your questions. Take care and good luck.
see below
Detailed Answer:
1. not everybody has microscopic cells left behind after colon cancer surgery.
2. yes, there is a chance he is already cured after surgery, and he may not benefit from chemo, but it is impossible to really know so early, and if he does not get chemo he has a higher chance of getting a recurrence.
3. PET scan would not pick up any microscopic cancer cells elsewhere in the body (nor any other study).
4. Even after he get chemo, he can still get mets in other organs in the future, but chances are much less. This is the main reason chemo is recommended in his case.
If your dad does not want chemo it is also understandable, but risky. Chemo has many side effects, and I can't tell you that it is going to be a walk in the park.
Hope that answers your questions. Take care and good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok so the only way to know is when these cells get larger and form in other parts ?
Is it advisable to threrefore have scans every three months?
And as lymph nodes were affected, is there more chance cells have sneaked out or is it hard to say?
We are just really worried abt mets now that surgery is done. Will asprin help n things like barley grass powder to prevent reocurrence
?
Is it advisable to threrefore have scans every three months?
And as lymph nodes were affected, is there more chance cells have sneaked out or is it hard to say?
We are just really worried abt mets now that surgery is done. Will asprin help n things like barley grass powder to prevent reocurrence
?
Brief Answer:
see below
Detailed Answer:
regarding your questions:
1. basically yes, time will tell if he gets other tumor or metastasis in the future, and this would be because of microscopic metastasis that can't be detected at this time.
2. yes it is advisable to get routine check ups. The oncologist will ask for either CT scans or PET scans
3. Since he had lymph nodes affected, yes, he is more likely to have cells "sneaking out". This is why chemotherapy is recommended
5. aspirin decreases the chances of polyp and tumor formation, but it does not replace chemotherapy. Barley grass powder the same.
see below
Detailed Answer:
regarding your questions:
1. basically yes, time will tell if he gets other tumor or metastasis in the future, and this would be because of microscopic metastasis that can't be detected at this time.
2. yes it is advisable to get routine check ups. The oncologist will ask for either CT scans or PET scans
3. Since he had lymph nodes affected, yes, he is more likely to have cells "sneaking out". This is why chemotherapy is recommended
5. aspirin decreases the chances of polyp and tumor formation, but it does not replace chemotherapy. Barley grass powder the same.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok. If mets are to form how long they usually take ? Do many ppl
Survive with colon cancer?
Survive with colon cancer?
Brief Answer:
it depends
Detailed Answer:
mets can take a few months to years to appear, it is not possible to predict if your dad will get them. hopefully your dad won't get them ever (but is at risk due to positive lymph nodes).
And yes, many people can survive colon cancer, particularly those that are able to get surgery and chemotherapy when needed (as in your dad's situation)
it depends
Detailed Answer:
mets can take a few months to years to appear, it is not possible to predict if your dad will get them. hopefully your dad won't get them ever (but is at risk due to positive lymph nodes).
And yes, many people can survive colon cancer, particularly those that are able to get surgery and chemotherapy when needed (as in your dad's situation)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thx alot for your help . You have provided very helpful and detailed answers .has helped me understand alot.
Brief Answer:
you are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
good luck!
you are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
good luck!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Just to inform you we had appt with oncologist and and she said its a 50 50 chance whether re occurs or not.
She then stated all the bad side effects whuch has now put him off and he is refusing chemo.
Would it be safe to try homeopathic treatment as i
Dont think its safe to just leave him as it is. I know he may not get mets but too much risk to take.
The oncologist just said up
To you. She did not even say that we strongly revommend you take it.
She then stated all the bad side effects whuch has now put him off and he is refusing chemo.
Would it be safe to try homeopathic treatment as i
Dont think its safe to just leave him as it is. I know he may not get mets but too much risk to take.
The oncologist just said up
To you. She did not even say that we strongly revommend you take it.
Brief Answer:
it is really up to him
Detailed Answer:
homeopathic treatment should be ok. I am not aware of any that have proved to be successful, but it may be worth a try if you have been offered any alternative treatments.
Side effects from the chemo are hard to tolerate sometimes, and as i said it is impossible to predict if he is going to get the metastasis in the future or not, therefore if he is even going to benefit from chemo. he may or may not benefit! If he does not want it, don't force it, just have him get regular check ups with the oncologist, and if anything pops up in the future, then treatment can be started as well.
it is really up to him
Detailed Answer:
homeopathic treatment should be ok. I am not aware of any that have proved to be successful, but it may be worth a try if you have been offered any alternative treatments.
Side effects from the chemo are hard to tolerate sometimes, and as i said it is impossible to predict if he is going to get the metastasis in the future or not, therefore if he is even going to benefit from chemo. he may or may not benefit! If he does not want it, don't force it, just have him get regular check ups with the oncologist, and if anything pops up in the future, then treatment can be started as well.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What are the survival rates for stage 3 without chemo?
Brief Answer:
see below
Detailed Answer:
Survival rates with surgery alone, based on the largest patient population study done (the SEER database cancer registry) where they looked at almost 120000 patients with colon cancer:
Stage IIIA (which is equivalent to Duke C1 stage) which is what i understand your father has: 5 year survival chance of 83% with surgery alone.
Chemotherapy reduces recurrence rate by about 15-30% based on other studies.
see below
Detailed Answer:
Survival rates with surgery alone, based on the largest patient population study done (the SEER database cancer registry) where they looked at almost 120000 patients with colon cancer:
Stage IIIA (which is equivalent to Duke C1 stage) which is what i understand your father has: 5 year survival chance of 83% with surgery alone.
Chemotherapy reduces recurrence rate by about 15-30% based on other studies.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
U see thats where my confussion is.... Theybsaid ges dukes c1 but he has 10 nodes agfected abd its a t3 tumor so i read thats a 3c
Brief Answer:
so it changes:
Detailed Answer:
if the cancer is a IIIC, then the 5 year survival rate with surgery alone is 44% based on the same cancer database I mentioned to you earlier (SEER cancer registry).
Classification systems are different nowadays. The Duke system is old and really no longer should be used.
The newer staging system (stages I, II, III, IV), is a little more complicated but more detailed. it takes into account multiple things, including how deep was the tumor in the colon (which layer of the tissue of the colon), lymph nodes (and how many), metastasis (and how many).
so it changes:
Detailed Answer:
if the cancer is a IIIC, then the 5 year survival rate with surgery alone is 44% based on the same cancer database I mentioned to you earlier (SEER cancer registry).
Classification systems are different nowadays. The Duke system is old and really no longer should be used.
The newer staging system (stages I, II, III, IV), is a little more complicated but more detailed. it takes into account multiple things, including how deep was the tumor in the colon (which layer of the tissue of the colon), lymph nodes (and how many), metastasis (and how many).
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok. Im just confussed how they say c1 with 10 nodes . It would be a c2 then right?
But the tumor was confibes only to the bowel .
But the tumor was confibes only to the bowel .
Brief Answer:
See below
Detailed Answer:
c1 and c2 both have positive nodes. it doesn't matter how many. the difference is the depth of invasion in the colon:
c1 does not penetrate the muscularis propia layer of the colon, and in C2 it does
See below
Detailed Answer:
c1 and c2 both have positive nodes. it doesn't matter how many. the difference is the depth of invasion in the colon:
c1 does not penetrate the muscularis propia layer of the colon, and in C2 it does
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I see.
So would c1 be equivalent to stage 3a or 3c? He had 10 nodes affected.
Should we look into immunotherapy treatment as he has refused chemo?
So would c1 be equivalent to stage 3a or 3c? He had 10 nodes affected.
Should we look into immunotherapy treatment as he has refused chemo?
Brief Answer:
not sure
Detailed Answer:
C1 could be equivalent to 3A or 3C, again it does not depends on the amount of lymph nodes affected, but on the depth of invasion in the colon. see prior answer.
There is not much data on immunotherapy. It is up to your dad at the end. I don't go in favor or against it. It may or may not help.
not sure
Detailed Answer:
C1 could be equivalent to 3A or 3C, again it does not depends on the amount of lymph nodes affected, but on the depth of invasion in the colon. see prior answer.
There is not much data on immunotherapy. It is up to your dad at the end. I don't go in favor or against it. It may or may not help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank
You for your help. U have been brilliant.
You for your help. U have been brilliant.
Brief Answer:
you are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
good luck with your dad! i will be available whenever you need me
you are very welcome
Detailed Answer:
good luck with your dad! i will be available whenever you need me
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
One question i had . My dac had his cea blood test . It was 3 . Is that in normal range?
Brief Answer:
yes
Detailed Answer:
normal level is beetween 0 and 5, although it may vary slightly depending on the lab.
This test is of value to detect recurrence of the cancer. if the CEA level goes up it may indicate there is cancer recurrence.
yes
Detailed Answer:
normal level is beetween 0 and 5, although it may vary slightly depending on the lab.
This test is of value to detect recurrence of the cancer. if the CEA level goes up it may indicate there is cancer recurrence.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Will alcohol n smoke increase chance of reoccurence ? My dad has a drink a day n smokes?
Brief Answer:
yes
Detailed Answer:
Smoking is a carcinogen, and it has been shown that colon cancer is more common in smokers, therefore he would be at increased risk of recurrence as well.
High alcohol intake is also associated with a slight increase in the chance of developing colon cancer. One study showed that patient who had >8 drinks per week, were much more likely to get colon cancer compared to those who drank 7 or less alcoholic drinks per week (about 25% more likely to get colon cancer).
Other risk factors for colon cancer include: high intake of red meat, low fiber in diet, obesity, having low levels of vitamin D in the system, low levels of folic acid in the blood.
Hope that answers your question
yes
Detailed Answer:
Smoking is a carcinogen, and it has been shown that colon cancer is more common in smokers, therefore he would be at increased risk of recurrence as well.
High alcohol intake is also associated with a slight increase in the chance of developing colon cancer. One study showed that patient who had >8 drinks per week, were much more likely to get colon cancer compared to those who drank 7 or less alcoholic drinks per week (about 25% more likely to get colon cancer).
Other risk factors for colon cancer include: high intake of red meat, low fiber in diet, obesity, having low levels of vitamin D in the system, low levels of folic acid in the blood.
Hope that answers your question
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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