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Suggest Treatment For Colon Cancer
Question: Are there hospitals/clinics that specialize in anal/rectal/colon cancer? Is the treatment, described below routine for this type and kind of cancer? I surgery usually recommended? My daughter in law is in her third week of radiation ( every day) and begins her second round of chem (mobile pump one week every three weeks) for anal rectal cancer in stage 2. The tumor which is large, shrunk 30 percent in five weeks. She is 42 and has had no other illness nor regular medication for chronic illness. Non smoker and non drinker, in good health otherwise.
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
thank you for sending the question. It sounds like the doctors are using chemotherapy and radiation initially. This may be followed by a surgical procedure as well.
as far as specialists are concerned there are some doctors who specialize in certain types of colorectal cancer. These can be found usually in larger cities or at academic institutions.
A combination of chemotherapy and radiation is a gold standard treatment and is usually practice the same from coast to coast. I suspect she's obtaining excellent here locally. If you would like to have additional recommendations from a doctor in your area you can request a second opinion consultation without a problem. This would involve transfer of all the records to another doctor in the area who can make some considerations and recommendations regarding treatment already given as well as treatment which might be indicated in the future.
I know this is a stressful experience with treatment of cancer as well as utilization of modalities including chemotherapy and radiation. I'm sure the doctors are doing an excellent job.
Thank you for sharing your health care concern with me. I would be happy to discuss this further with you.
sincerely,
dr Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
thank you for sending the question. It sounds like the doctors are using chemotherapy and radiation initially. This may be followed by a surgical procedure as well.
as far as specialists are concerned there are some doctors who specialize in certain types of colorectal cancer. These can be found usually in larger cities or at academic institutions.
A combination of chemotherapy and radiation is a gold standard treatment and is usually practice the same from coast to coast. I suspect she's obtaining excellent here locally. If you would like to have additional recommendations from a doctor in your area you can request a second opinion consultation without a problem. This would involve transfer of all the records to another doctor in the area who can make some considerations and recommendations regarding treatment already given as well as treatment which might be indicated in the future.
I know this is a stressful experience with treatment of cancer as well as utilization of modalities including chemotherapy and radiation. I'm sure the doctors are doing an excellent job.
Thank you for sharing your health care concern with me. I would be happy to discuss this further with you.
sincerely,
dr Galamaga
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you.
1. they live in St XXXXXXX Florida, about 40 minutes away from XXXXXXX and the Moffit cancer center. Would it be useful to go there ( or anywhere you would recommend) for an additional /second opinion?
2. It is our understanding that most cancer protocols are standard all over the country. Is that the case?
3. A friend of ours is fully recovered after 5 years ( had stage 4 Kidney cancer) In addition to chem and radiation she took daily supplements of phyto chemicals, kplant herbs, and tumeric and cut out all white food and sugar. Is this something that you have knowledge of ( phytochemcial and tumeric?
My daughter in laws update: today After 1 round of chemo( a pump on body for five days) and concurently, 4 weeks olf daily radiation, the tumor has shrunk 30 % The doctors are pleased.
1. they live in St XXXXXXX Florida, about 40 minutes away from XXXXXXX and the Moffit cancer center. Would it be useful to go there ( or anywhere you would recommend) for an additional /second opinion?
2. It is our understanding that most cancer protocols are standard all over the country. Is that the case?
3. A friend of ours is fully recovered after 5 years ( had stage 4 Kidney cancer) In addition to chem and radiation she took daily supplements of phyto chemicals, kplant herbs, and tumeric and cut out all white food and sugar. Is this something that you have knowledge of ( phytochemcial and tumeric?
My daughter in laws update: today After 1 round of chemo( a pump on body for five days) and concurently, 4 weeks olf daily radiation, the tumor has shrunk 30 % The doctors are pleased.
Brief Answer:
Followup
Detailed Answer:
thank you for the additional information.
You are correct that treatment protocols are standard throughout the country. Sometimes individuals may qualify for participation in clinical trials at university centers.
It would be reasonable to have a second opinion at the cancer center you have specified. These doctors might agree with the current treatment plan with some possible modifications.
It sounds like the treatment is contributing to a good therapeutic results so far. it is very early in the treatment continue them at this point but it sounds like good physicians are taking care of her.
there are literally hundreds of cancer diets which are publicized in written media as well as the Internet. I am familiar with some of the supplements you have mentioned but I am not familiar with actual proven clinical benefit. For this reason these supplements would be considered experimental. I feel like the only way this can be proven to be potentially beneficial would be any large randomized clinical trial where a portion of the patients receive the supplements are compared to an equal portion of patients who receive placebo.
I also remind patients that with cancer treatment we are trying to use medications to damage cancer cells. If we provide the body with antioxidants and additional supplements the cancer cells can actually use these as well to repair and potentially become resistant to treatment. This is one of the reasons why I urge patients to use caution when adding supplements to standard proven treatment protocols.
thanks again for sharing your health care concern. Please let me know any other questions you might have at this time.
Dr. G
Followup
Detailed Answer:
thank you for the additional information.
You are correct that treatment protocols are standard throughout the country. Sometimes individuals may qualify for participation in clinical trials at university centers.
It would be reasonable to have a second opinion at the cancer center you have specified. These doctors might agree with the current treatment plan with some possible modifications.
It sounds like the treatment is contributing to a good therapeutic results so far. it is very early in the treatment continue them at this point but it sounds like good physicians are taking care of her.
there are literally hundreds of cancer diets which are publicized in written media as well as the Internet. I am familiar with some of the supplements you have mentioned but I am not familiar with actual proven clinical benefit. For this reason these supplements would be considered experimental. I feel like the only way this can be proven to be potentially beneficial would be any large randomized clinical trial where a portion of the patients receive the supplements are compared to an equal portion of patients who receive placebo.
I also remind patients that with cancer treatment we are trying to use medications to damage cancer cells. If we provide the body with antioxidants and additional supplements the cancer cells can actually use these as well to repair and potentially become resistant to treatment. This is one of the reasons why I urge patients to use caution when adding supplements to standard proven treatment protocols.
thanks again for sharing your health care concern. Please let me know any other questions you might have at this time.
Dr. G
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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