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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Life Span For Colon Cancer Patient?

A friend of ours was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at Easter time of this past year. She got two opinions. They both told her that if left untreated she would be dead in 6 months. The patient is in good spirits....she had oral chemo over the summer and even went back to teaching school for a month in September. Yet, she was having much pain at that time in her stomach. The doctor told her to quit teaching and thus she is on sick leave until the end of December. They put a stint in about two months ago and put the chemo directly into the stint. She was hoping to go back to teaching in January but is now experiencing pain in her hip. She had been filling up with water also. They drained about a gallon off of her and now she feels better. She remains very upbeat and positive. What can we expect with this diagnosis? We do not know yet what is causing the pain in her hip. The doctor said if it is more cancer she might need to undergo radiation. When she was initially diagnosed she was told there were masses all over her stomach, lymph nodes, and in her liver. What usually happens with someone in this situation. She is only 53 years old
Tue, 8 Jul 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
hi thanks for posting your query.i feel extremely sorry for your friend as she has gone through a lot of complications since her cancer colon has been diagnosed.
stage 4 colon cancer suggests disseminated ,widely spread colon cancer throughout the abdomen and beyond meaning it has involved various organs and lymph nodes.this stage is beyond cure .certain measures called palliative measures can prolong the life of the patient.she is currently experiencing MALIGNANT ASCITIS(fluid in the abdomen),malignant intestinal obstruction,for which she is currently dealt with a metallic stenting plus instent chemotherapy.now currently she is experiencing pain in her hip which is most likely as result of side effects of chemotherapy,this could possibly be "AVASCULAR NECROSIS".this can also arise from spread of cancer to vertebral and hip bones.with progressing metastasis she continues to have this fluid accumulation in the abdomen,unresolving pain in the stomach.as per your doctor's advice radiotherapy can be an option with improving results,but it not curative.
so i would like to conclude that stage 4 colon cancer is associated with a very poor outcome no matter what the treatment protocols be ,as the condition of the patient keeps on dropping.only palliation can prolong the life to some extent.but the average life span would be around 6 months with palliation.
thank you.
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What Is The Life Span For Colon Cancer Patient?

hi thanks for posting your query.i feel extremely sorry for your friend as she has gone through a lot of complications since her cancer colon has been diagnosed. stage 4 colon cancer suggests disseminated ,widely spread colon cancer throughout the abdomen and beyond meaning it has involved various organs and lymph nodes.this stage is beyond cure .certain measures called palliative measures can prolong the life of the patient.she is currently experiencing MALIGNANT ASCITIS(fluid in the abdomen),malignant intestinal obstruction,for which she is currently dealt with a metallic stenting plus instent chemotherapy.now currently she is experiencing pain in her hip which is most likely as result of side effects of chemotherapy,this could possibly be AVASCULAR NECROSIS .this can also arise from spread of cancer to vertebral and hip bones.with progressing metastasis she continues to have this fluid accumulation in the abdomen,unresolving pain in the stomach.as per your doctor s advice radiotherapy can be an option with improving results,but it not curative. so i would like to conclude that stage 4 colon cancer is associated with a very poor outcome no matter what the treatment protocols be ,as the condition of the patient keeps on dropping.only palliation can prolong the life to some extent.but the average life span would be around 6 months with palliation. thank you.