Small tissue lesion on liver

[Mikes21]

Has anyone heard or experienced a soft tissue lesion on their liver due to maybe colon cancer spread? I had stage 1 colon cancer removed and all the surrounding lymph nodes were clear. This lesion showed on my latest Ct scan along with fatty liver. I hope it’s just the fatty liver. Thanks I’m advance for your responses.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Mikes21,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected.

I have not heard of that, but that's not to say it can't happen. I would definitely get a biopsy of it to determine exactly what you're dealing with and give you information to develop a plan if necessary. Having had colon cancer caught early, I'd definitely want to know.

We wish you the best in your investigation. Hopefully it will be something you uneventful for you.

Quick question, would you be willing to share what lead you to discover your stage 1 colon cancer? We deal with a lot of symptoms and may be informative to others here. It is very good you caught it early. And are you in for a certain screening process to make sure it doesn't return?

Best wishes,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Mikes21 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Yes I have a Dad that died at 52 from colon cancer. In 2017 I found out that I carry the lynch syndrome gene. So when my dad died in 1993 I had my first colonoscopy and have had them every five years. So I’m finding out I have lynch I’m now testing every year. That is how we found the stage 1. I had some pre cancerous polyps prior to the stage 1 finding last year. I am waiting on a cea to see if that tells us anything. Thanks

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Mikes21]

Wow ... We are on the same page. So sorry to hear about your father. That's never easy. I'm glad you took action and got genetic testing and are now getting screened. You went 24 years before finding out you had lynch. That's amazing. Did you know your father had lynch? Once you knew about lynch, you probably had some of your other family members on your father's side get genetic testing also.

I also have Lynch, but the genetic testing began with me and not with family members that had passed including my father. I was stage 4 metastatic colon cancer before my first colonoscopy in 2012. I had genetic testing done that showed I was MSI-h, dMMR and MLH1 gene variant .. my biomarkers .. Lynch. After over 2 years of chemo & radiation, the tumor kept coming back and growing. From out of nowhere, a clinical trial was looking for MSI-h colon cancer patients for an immunotherapy drug. It was the game changer. Saved my life. I should have been getting a colonoscopy in the early 90's. Genetic testing is huge in advanced cancer fights. I'm big on that point. It saved my life.

I am now 10 yrs from diagnosis in 2012, 5 years NED from exiting the clinical trial 2016. So I'm part of that 10% survival rate. I get an annual colonoscopy, CT scan and blood check with an endoscopy every 3 years. I actually have a Lynch doctor I check in with right before I need my colonoscopy. So I keep doing my screenings and take a baby aspirin every day.

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

[Mikes21 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Wow we have some parallels for sure. How old was your Dad when he passed? I’m 57 and had prostate removed in 2016 and still here. I knew colon cancer was in the cards based on family history but not prostate cancer. Crazy thing is that my dad had colon cancer at 21 and got it again at 38 and then of course died at 52. We were lucky we had him that long. I was 29 when he passed. I am glad you found the way to survival. I am in San Diego. How old are you, where do you live? I would be interested in talking to a lynch dr specialist. Thanks for the information in advance

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Your dad was very young and had it twice. Probably the only thing out there was chemo regiments. How many members of your family have been through genetic testing for lynch? Everyone on my father's side ended up getting tested after I received my results.

My Father was 65. And two cousins, brothers, age 35 & 41. I'm 59. I'm in NC. I had a partial colectomy 2012 to remove the large mass. It was metastatic. Lynch says I'm likely to face it (or something) again. It got really ugly in 2014 and the options were few. All of the sudden here's this clinical trial on the table Oct. 2014. The genetic testing I did in 2012 gave me my biomarkers and now 2014 there was a therapy that may be beneficial. The therapy was approved for lung & melanoma. I had metastatic colon cancer, but the biomarkers said it might work. It did and it was amazing.

I got involved with GCCA because they advocate for patients around the world. I realized my journey and the protocols I did are not common. But they should be. Ideally, all cancers should have genetic testing. Especially advanced cancers.

I'm a big advocate for "knowing your biomarker" as it could lead to life saving therapy. More and more tumor types are being linked by biomarkers to single therapies. It's getting so personalized now. But the big key is screening early and preventive measures. I should have been getting my first colonoscopy in 1990. Not 2012 when I had a large mass.

My Lynch guy is a Gastroenterologist. I met him once and now I email him to see if there's any further protocols for the lynch patient to follow. Other than what you are doing annually and a baby aspirin, it doesn't change much. Look into Colontown and their neighborhood Lynchville.

You're in San Diego. You must know about Illumina and what they do. That's their home town. Cancer is a disease of the genome and they do genome sequencing. I'm just now becoming familiar with them. It's an amazing side to the cancer (and overall health) fight.

All the best. Stay vigilant. Know your Biomarker👍

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Mikes21 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thanks Tom. Yeah I know about the gene editing. Wasn’t sure if it’s ready for prime time but sounds promising for my sons.

[Mikes21]

Wait did your cousins and brothers die of it at those ages? Cause if so I’m sorry and that is too young.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Mikes21]

My two cousins were brothers and yeah, those were the ages. Their mother, my dad's sister, caries the lynch gene. Both were very fit and one was in the Marine Corp. His fight was epic. He went everywhere looking for a chance. Even went to try something in Mexico. It was amazing and just crushing to watch. Immunotherapy saved me. Available at just the right time.

Genome sequencing looks very promising, but it raises a lot of questions on the ethics side. It looks like England has been doing something for about 6 years called Genomics England. Getting ready to investigate that. You may already know about the "Golden State Killer" ... and how genetic sequencing played a role in solving that. Absolutely amazing.