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Does Colon Cancer Ever Metastasize To Lymph Nodes?
Question: When a cancereus playp is removed from the right side of the colon and a second series of samples proved negative ...is it still necessary to remove 1/3 of the colon? Also the doctor has scheduled a catscan ...should we insist on an m.r.i.
Brief Answer:
YEs, surgery should be done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Yes, it is strongly advisable to right part of the colon (right hemicolectomy). Please note that every cancer (even early stage) has some ability to give metastases. And the first place where the colon cancer gives metastases are regional lymph nodes.
Also colon cancer should be removed with proper margins (5 cm) to make sure it wont regrow.
Now when we remove polyp only, we really do not know if there are any lymph nodes affected and the margins are too close.
That is why surgery should be done. With the intestine, lymph nodes will be removed. This will be tested by a pathologist.
The information about lymph nodes status is very important. Lack of metastases in this lymph nodes makes the surgery the only treatment. If we find some cancer cells in the lymph nodes, chemotherapy should be given. This is crucial for the treatment, prognosis and survival.
Abdominal CT is enough. And it is standard with colon cancer. No need to insist on MRI.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
YEs, surgery should be done.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Yes, it is strongly advisable to right part of the colon (right hemicolectomy). Please note that every cancer (even early stage) has some ability to give metastases. And the first place where the colon cancer gives metastases are regional lymph nodes.
Also colon cancer should be removed with proper margins (5 cm) to make sure it wont regrow.
Now when we remove polyp only, we really do not know if there are any lymph nodes affected and the margins are too close.
That is why surgery should be done. With the intestine, lymph nodes will be removed. This will be tested by a pathologist.
The information about lymph nodes status is very important. Lack of metastases in this lymph nodes makes the surgery the only treatment. If we find some cancer cells in the lymph nodes, chemotherapy should be given. This is crucial for the treatment, prognosis and survival.
Abdominal CT is enough. And it is standard with colon cancer. No need to insist on MRI.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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