What Are The Signs Of Recurrence Of Colon Cancer?

Posted on Wed, 29 Apr 2015

Question: my question is why should my daughter have a colonostomy after the pet scan showed a mass in the lower left desending colon. she had colon ca and the surgeon said he cut it all out, now we are faced with this new mass less than 10 months.

Answered by Dr. Heera Lal Poonia (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
it could be recurrence or new cancer, meet your doctor urgently

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX, welcome to HCM and thanks for choosing us.

I understand your concerns as your daughter has to suffer with cancer with probable recurrence in such a short time in spite of surgical removal of cancer 10 months ago.

Cancer is very unpredictable disease, so it's difficult to guess the outcome of treatment. In my opinion it is recurrence of the cancer. It may happen due to spread of cancer cells prior to surgery. Incomplete removal can also be a cause behind it.

Another possibility is development of new cancer independent of the first one. Since your daughter had cancer earlier, same process can affect new areas independent of first one.

Another possibility is development of fibrous bands in the earlier operated part of colon. Such fibrous bands appear like mass in abdomen.

You need to get an ultrasound scan , ct scan of the area involved and biopsy if possible for cytopathological study. This will confirm the diagnosis and treatment can be planned accordingly.

I hope my reply will help you. Please write to HCM or me for follow up queries. I wish good health to your daughter and whole family

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar