Colon cancer secondary to CLL

[angelikab]

I had posted that I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and I’ve since had the mass successfully removed. Out of 16 lymph nodes analyzed 1 had cancer. So it’s off to chemo therapy in two weeks. For three months.

Is there anyone in the group who’s experiencing this ? And does anyone have experience in Xeloda (the chemo pills) and Oxalipatin (the IV)?

I’ve recently successfully gone through Gazyva and hope this is as painless. I love the support everyone receives here so I thought I’d reach out to get your wisdom

[Fruitbat13]

I was diagnosed with CLL in 2016 then a couple of months later I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. My colorectal surgeon wasn’t at all concerned about my CLL and my operation was straightforward. Just like you, I only had one lymph node with cancer so I had five months of Xeloda tablets (called Capecitabine here). I had to have the dose reduced a couple of times due to the side effect of sore hands and feet, which is common. Otherwise I tolerated the treatment well and nearly six years later I am doing fine, all my tests and scans have been normal. Now I just have the CLL to deal with!  Good luck with everything, I hope your treatment goes well.

[angelikab in reply to Fruitbat13]

Thank you. That’s so reassuring!

[Keepkicking]

Stop it!! Just stop.

Dr. Longoria has a history of selling his "diet" for a couple hundred dollars.

Angelikab requested reassurance and information from others who've undergone treatment with Capox. I don't recall her asking for diet advice.

[LeoPa in reply to Keepkicking]

Done. But it is a pity that you don't know the difference between Dr. Longo and some doctor called Longoria

[Keepkicking in reply to LeoPa]

Thank you for removing your initial post. I don't believe an autocorrect error is a "pity". But paying hundreds to a doctor of biology for "fasting products" sure is. All the best to you.

[LeoPa in reply to Keepkicking]

I'm glad you get all your medical help and medications for free. Best to you too.

[SofiaDeo]

Please just answer the question posted, LeoPa, if you have something relevant to the question asked.

[LeoPa in reply to SofiaDeo]

Comment removed. I thought it was relevant. Have a nice day.

[SusanBo]

Hi Angela - So sorry to hear about your secondary cancer. My husband has had CLL since 2012 and was dx'd with colon cancer at the beginning of this year. He had resection of his sigmoid colon - about 14 inches - approximately two months ago. So far as they could determine he had no lymph involvement and opted for no chemo. He's had two Signatera draws and so far, so good. Recovery from the surgery was not difficult at all. As far as his CLL is concerned, his number are amazingly good. Wishing you all the best with your treatment.

[angelikab in reply to SusanBo]

Thanks 😊

[SeymourB]

I'm curious to know what symptoms led to your colon cancer diagnosis.

Was it discovered on a routine colonoscopy? I'm due for one myself.

=seymour=

[angelikab in reply to SeymourB]

Ihad fluid in my lungs for months due to the CLL and they did a CTSCAN to check the status after taking venetoclax and O which solved it. A polyp in the colon showed up and they suggested a colonoscopy. Luckily I followed up. Nothing has really scared me up to now but the chemo does. I’m not afraid of not surviving this but I just want to feel healthy and I was on the way til the colon cancer showed up. I’m sick of not feeling well. I work with startups on their investor pitch and need energy and enthusiasm to make it a good experience 😊

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to angelikab]

Hi angelikab,

When I first read of your colon cancer experience, it reminded me of someone who went through a similar diagnosis, had surgery to remove a section of cancerous bowel, was recommended chemo, (technically known as adjuvant therapy) and refused it, then credited his subsequent dietary and lifestyle changes for curing his bowel cancer, when surgery already gave him a good chance at a cure. The adjuvant therapy just slightly further improved his chances. Here's a cancer surgeon's explanation of how follow up chemo can improve survival statistics after bowel cancer surgery.

sciencebasedmedicine.org/ch...

I hope this helps you better appreciate the trade off between undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy and improving your already good, but could be better, survival odds. Just please don't start a business based on misleading vulnerable people as Chris did.

Neil

[angelikab in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil. I have 2 excellent oncologists. One for CLL , one for colon. They like and respect each other and are just wonderful to work with. So I’m going to do what they recommend -the chemo- even if I really don’t want to. I really don’t think I have a choice. I’ll get through it the we all do in this group 😊

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to angelikab]

You are indeed fortunate to have two good cancer specialists that work together for you. I'm relieved that you are doing the chemo adjuvant therapy. When we have CLL, survival stats for secondary cancers are less encouraging than for otherwise healthy people, so getting on top of it early is even more important.

Neil

[newyork917]

Sorry to hear about your secondary cancer. I am wishing you well in your treatment. How did the doctors analyze the 16 nodes and determine it spread to the one node?

[angelikab in reply to newyork917]

a pathologist took a week analyzing the lymph nodes.