Anita Mitchell is alive and without any evidence of cancer, despite a diagnosis of metastatic (stage 4) colon cancer a year ago. Her story will be featured on a live Health Talk broadcast on Monday evening, July 31st at 8:30 p.m. (Eastern).
Joining Anita are Dr. Lowell Anthony, Director of Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, and Dr. Thomas H. Cartwright, president of the medical staff at Ocala Regional Medical Center in Florida. Rick Turner will host the panel.
- Colorectal Cancer: Understanding Your Options
- Monday, July 31, 2006
- 8:30 p.m. Eastern
- Via Webcast or Teleconference
- To Register
Registration is required.
July 30, 2006 at 11:26 am, Donald Baker said:
Is RFA or CyberKnife a cure? How do you find the right Dr. for the procedure?
July 31, 2006 at 7:33 am, Kate Murphy said:
RFA or radiofrequency ablation destroys metastatic tumors with heat generated by radio wave energy. A probe is inserted into the tumor, either during surgery or through the skin.
Cyberknife is carefully focused radiation.
Both can be effective in treating tumors, reducing symptoms and prolonging life, but neither are considered cures for colon or rectal cancer when used alone.
August 01, 2006 at 12:55 am, gordon said:
NO mention of PET Scan is care of patients.
January 02, 2008 at 11:39 pm, annalisa davis said:
I have stage IV colon cancer and was told by my doc that i would have a small chance of being cancer free one day but the goal was for the cancer to shrink…i hope it will go away completely…i wonder if is even possible.
January 02, 2008 at 11:52 pm, Kate Murphy said:
Your doctor is right — there is a small chance that the cancer will go away completely.
However, most situations where stage IV colon or rectal cancer is cured involve removing the tumors where it has spread surgically.
Talk to your doctor about a referral to a surgeon to see if removing liver or lung tumors is possible.
February 21, 2008 at 4:46 pm, Dave Gray said:
I am a 64 year old male diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in August 2004. I had colonrectal resection in December 2004 with chemo treatments until march 2007. I have had liver RFA 3 times to remove 4 separate tumors. I had a colostomy at the time of my original colon resection surgery. I seem to be doing ok with a reasonable loss of energy. Pet scans every 3 months. I am hoping to continue exceeding mortality charts.
July 16, 2008 at 9:51 pm, Shannon Lipskey said:
I am now 37 years old, and Cancer Free. My story has it’s ups and downs, and ultimately it was all worth it just to wake up every day and see my son Jake smile at me. I was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, March 10th, 2005. Three weeks later I had a bowel resection, and 50% of my liver removed, followed by 6 months of chemo, the cancer returned in my liver again, another surgery.. this time having 80% of my liver removed… survived that one too somehow. 6 more months of chemo, and radiation… this radiation caused so much damage, I had surgery to have my entire large bowel removed, I now have a permanent Iliostomy…that took some getting used to…then he cancer came back again.. in right lung this time…. another surgery was planned to do a wedge resection on my right lung, in surgery my pulmonary artery in my heart had torn…and I almost bled to death in seconds… my surgeon had no choice but to remove my entire lung…. I then did another 6 months of chemotherapy. I’ve also had 12 bowel obstructions, with three of them requiring surgery… I’m am by some miracle still alive today. When you are feeling like you just can’t go on, or you’ll never be able to endure the chemo, or surgeries… think of me… if I can do it, you can do it too. Time will pass, and God willing you will heal. These bodies we’ve been blessed with are absolutely amazing…. our bodies want to live!! Don’t ever give up… don’t ever let anyone tell you HOW LONG you have to live… nobody can answer that question… nobody. Live for today, that’s all we have. Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring. Smile. Enjoy friends and family…. Love… that is what it’s all about.
Shannon Lipskey
August 11, 2008 at 5:26 am, Susan said:
Hello,
I am a 58 year female , with Stage 4 colon cancer.
It has metastisized to my liver, and my oncologist says it is inoperable.. I have one tumor on one lobe and one on the other.. with i guess its like teeny specks.. of it.. on the liver,,
this was discovered , when I had a hystorectomy in Feb, 2008.
My question is is it possible with the 6 months of chemotherapy, for the two tumors to keep shrinking? so far they are a little bit…
I guess, I am asking if there is any hope for me.
Ty, Susan.
August 11, 2008 at 8:22 am, Kate Murphy said:
Susan,
If you haven’t had an opinion from a liver surgeon about whether the tumors in your liver cannot be removed surgically, please get one.
Very often surgeons understand liver — and lung — mets better than medical oncologists.
The surgeon and oncologist need to work closely together to decide on the best chemo and how long to give it before trying surgery.
As for “hope” — there is always hope. Sometimes curing the cancer isn’t possible, but longer life and better quality of life is always hopeful.
I have many good friends who have outlived their doctor’s predictions — some by many years.
Kate
August 12, 2008 at 3:49 pm, Donna K said:
Diagnosed with Stage IV Colon on 1/13/07. Had colon resection at which time they found 4 tumors in my liver and 4 lesions on my lung. Started chemo March of 2007, by July all tumors and lesions gone. Cancer free as of today but still taking mild chemo every three weeks. There is always hope.
August 16, 2008 at 6:12 am, Susan said:
Ty Kate for your letter . I really appreciate it.
This question now is for, Donna.. Donna did the surgeon remove your tumors on the liver?
Ty
Sincerely ,
Susan
January 06, 2009 at 3:12 pm, Tony said:
Started with colon cancer in August, 2004. Chemo, radiation followed then surgery and was deemed clear by Nov, 2004. October, 2008 I was diagnosed with stage 4 that had moved to the liver. Started 12 cycles of chemo, four completed to date. Would appreciate any advice from those with a similar diagnosis.
tony@valdezicorp.com
January 06, 2009 at 4:56 pm, Kate Murphy said:
Tony, if you would like to share information with others with colorectal cancer, you might want to join the Association for Cancer Online Resources Colon Discussion List.
There are many patients and caregivers there who have a similar diagnosis and are getting chemotherapy for it.
August 28, 2009 at 10:02 am, Alex said:
I am writing so others can see there is real life evidence of Hope. I am a 4th Stage Colon Cancer Patient (Liver & Lung Metastases) and am coming up on the anniversary of the first (and biggest – colon and liver) of many surgeries. Later I had a tumor in each lung removed. I’ve experienced chemo and a vaccine clinical trial. ALL THIS STARTED 7 YEARS AGO! I’m not saying any 4th stage cancer patient should kid themselves that the odds are good for us. The point is you never know. I’ve lived life a day at a time for the last 7 years. And, the truth is that they’ve been the best days of my Life. Good Luck and God Bless.
November 27, 2010 at 11:23 am, greg j said:
One month ago, my mom was diagnosed with 4th stage colon cancer that metastisized into her liver. The tumor is about the size of an orange. Currently mom is in hospice and being made comfortable. Her appetite is somewhat diminished, seems tired a lot, but her skin color is normal, blood pressure is perfect and no weight loss. Can you give me any insight on the time of her possible life expectancy, what symptoms should be anticipated etc. Thanks in advance for your time and attention
November 27, 2010 at 12:01 pm, Kate Murphy said:
It is almost impossible to predict life expectancy.
Your doctor can tell you how long people with your mother’s condition might live, but it would only be a guess. People are very different.
The hospice team can tell you what to expect as your mother gets closer to death. She may sleep more, be weaker, and may want to eat less or even stop eating.
Talk to her about what important things she’d like to do or people she’d like to see. Sometimes the best thing family can do is just “be there.” It’s not necessary to talk a lot or go places.
Hospice can help you make plans so her death will be at home, if that’s what she wants.
Use your hospice nurse as much as you need to. Call her, even in the middle of the night, if something doesn’t seem right. Talk about changes and what to expect.
All my best to you and your mother.