Colon cancer spread

[Puppydogtail]

Hi god knows why I’m writing this I’m just wanting to express my feelings. I had colon cancer august 23, it was all removed. Mop up chemo after all good!!!
A year later we discovered it spread into my right ovary. So another operation to remove both ovaries and tubes. No chemo as it doesn’t work on these types of tumours. So all good, months of feeling great. The about 8 weeks ago my pelvis hurts, thinking it was menopause, but got sent for a colposcopy and it turns out the biology shows my colon cancer has spread into my cervix.
I only had a ct scan at the end of January and my blood tumor markers done in April, all fine.

now waiting on a ct and mri scan to find out the next plan. They think an operation or radiotherapy or targated therapy. I’m so gutted today.

Has anyone had the whole pelvic clearance? Or any experience with this. I’m in a lot of pain too. My colorectal nurse made me a doctors appointment today for pain relief

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can only offer sympathy.

My story is similar in some ways to yours, although not identical.

I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last summer (it seems so much longer ago than that) and had a left hemicolonectomy in August. I was originally recommended chemo, but analysis of the removed tumour suggested it would not be beneficial. Meanwhile, CT scans for the colon cancer also highlighted an enlarged uterus, and so I was referred over to the gynae team once I'd recovered from the bowel surgery. This showed womb cancer (most likely a separate primary, not apparently linked to the bowel cancer) and so I had a hysterectomy plus associated bits removed at the start of the year, and have just completed a course of adjuvant radiotherapy (27 sessions) and brachytherapy (2 sessions) as analysis of the removed uterus suggested that the cancer had spread towards my cervix. It's too early to say whether I'm now cancer free and what options there would be left if I'm not.

I can understand how you feel - have a virtual hug from me.

Thank you for your message. It’s much appreciated.You have been through so much too. I had a left hemicolonectomy too. Plus they also found a chest tumor which turned out to be benign. Had operation 10 weeks ago.

That’s so unfortunate having two separate primary cancers. I know a lady who has had three.
I Think the gynaecologist mentioned to me a hysterectomy which means another operation. But I’ll take anything just to get rid of the reacurance and pain.

I hope and pray your cancers get to feck and keep away!! Xx

Hi
I just wanted to send you a hug too 🥰
My story is that in 2023, I was diagnosed with a leiomysarcoma in my uterus. It was mistaken for a fibroid. It was removed via a full hysterectomy. They also discovered secondary breast cancer in my lung ( primary BC 15 years ago!) so the aim was to treat the BC asap. All was fine until December 2024, when during one of my 3 monthly scans, a pelvic mass was picked up. After a biopsy, it was confirmed, leiomysarcoma had returned. Too big to surgically remove safely, or to have radiotherapy, chemo is my only hope. First chemo drug has done nothing. I start the next drug in 2 weeks. I’m petrified.

What pain relief have you got? Im
on oxycodene and it isn’t bad.

I hope your next treatment works well for you and you can be free of this awful
disease xxx

Enigma53 · Today 13:10
Thank you for your reply. It’s such a horrible shock isn’t it? A guy sick feeling when being told it’s returned. I hope and pray your next line of treatment works for you. 🙏.
im just waiting to go into the doctors to chat about pain relief. I’m going to ask for Oxycodone. The pain I’m in is reducing me to tears. Over the counter meds don’t hit the spot.

good luck for your next treetment!! Keep fighting! 🥰

Yes oxycodone or oramorph ( if you can tolerate morphine?)

Hopefully a hysterectomy and/ or other treatment will rid you of it completely.

xxxx ❤️

Enigma53 · Today 13:45
Thank you. Just been for my gp appointment. The doctor was lovely and listened to me bubble away for ages. Got oxycodone, paracetamol and also Prozac. So hopefully I’ll get a sleep tonight. I think because the last few operations where emergency and took the tumors out straight away. Now I know that’s this one’s inside and growing and I have to wait for scans and meetings when I just want the thing out. 😢

I’m glad to you have pain relief, hopefully you will get a good sleep
tonight.

I know exactly what you mean about wanting it out. Mine is in pelvis, pushing on everything. I can’t believe I can’t have it surgically removed, it’s like some kind of torture!

Anyway, hopefully you WILL be a level have it removed. Is it just in your cervix? I wonder why they didn’t do a full hysterectomy when it appeared on the ovary? Xx

Hello I’m so sorry to read what’s been happening for you. My story is a little different but perhaps some of it will help. I was diagnosed with colon cancer in March 2023 and tested positive for Lynch syndrome so they removed my entire colon to reduce the risk of recurrence. Lynch syndrome also carries a risk of gynaecological cancers so after recovering from chemo I had a risk reduction hysterectomy and oophorectomy- so uterus, cervix, ovaries and tubes all removed. My DH jokes I am now hollow inside. However after a period of recovery my quality of life is excellent. I hope that gives you some optimism for life after surgery.

@P00hsticks were you tested for Lynch syndrome? It is very unlucky to have two unrelated cancers. I wish you all the best for successful treatment.

@Enigma53 I hope your pain is under control and the chemo does its job.

Oh god ! know that feeling !
I saw my cancer tumour during my colonsocopy and then had about about eight weeks wait before the surgery to move it - I spent that eight weeks thinking that I know how John Hurt must have felt in Alien and that any day the tumour would just burst out of my stomach ...

I hope you manage to get some decent pain relief - I've been lucky in that most of my treatment has been pretty pain free - I never even got to make use of the morphine button after my surgery.

@Remaker Yes, Lynch syndrome was suspected (the analysis of my bowel cancer tumour showed MSI-H which was the reason I didn't get chemo) but I've now been tested and the results have come back as negative.

Enigma53 · Today 14:13
Im sorry to hear they can’t operate. I have everything crossed for you this chemotherapy will work for you. Are you in a lot of pain? Mines is like a constant heavy period cramp, lower back ache and can’t empty my bladder properly.

As far as we know it’s just in my cervix. The mri will reveal more. Looking back now I don’t know why they didn’t take my cervix and womb out when they took my ovaries out. I wish I’d pushed for it at the time. The ovary tumor was 2.5 kg, it was a biggie.
Im going to also enquire about lynch syndrome.
Im only 52 and have young teenagers. I want my boring old life back 😩😢xxx

@Puppydogtail Thankyou. I’ve often wondered what hell might be like and now I know! ☹️ I take oxycodene slow release and liquid for breakthrough pain. Mine is squashing my bowel and bladder, so I have the bladder pain and need to be careful I don’t get a bowel obstruction.

Hopefully they can remove your cervix and the mass and will be the end of it. When is your next scan/ appointment?

I’m 54, have young adult kids and want my dull life back too. Instead, I’m off sick from work, will be down to zero pay soon and back and forth to the damm hospital. I’m SO sick of it!

Sorry, didn’t mean to rant on your thread. I genuinely hope they can get you sorted asap x

@Puppydogtail I hope you slept well last night 🤞

Enigma53 · Yesterday 20:00
Hi sorry I never got a notification to answer you. I hope you are ok. Yes I got an amazing sleep last night thank you. These painkillers are really helping with the pain. Just been a bit uncomfortable with passing urine. As if my bladders not emptying properly. I’ll need to bring that up with my doctor.

I hope your not in two much pain. Yes you need to be careful with the bowel obstruction. I had one of those with my colon cancer. When I got diagnosed.
Hopfully I’ll get my pelvic mri scan next week.
Yes I’d love my dull life back, now I’m living in a bloody nightmare.

Have you applied for disability benefits? I’m in Scotland so it’s a little bit different .I got mines no bother .It would take some of the financial stress.

You rant away all you like. I’m here to listen 🥰xx

@Enigma53 I remember you from another post I think. Idk if you have an adenocarcinoma or not but my Drs. are forging with the chemo (taxol and a TT). So far it’s holding the cancer at bay but I have a pet scan upcoming so we’ll see. If the tx stops working there’s another TT to try but has horrific SE. I’m trying to keep positive but it’s hard. Wishing you the very very best.

@Enigma53 I’m also on oxycodeine which works well and also don’t have to worry about my dr. not refilling it due to being on palliative care (not terminal but almost(?). What’s the worse that can happen when I know the cancer is incurable?

@Sbmppstill in hell unfortunately. Chemo not working, sarcoma getting bigger. I’m down to my last chemo attempt soon and that will be it. I’m on oxcodone and paracetamol ( plus some “ alternative “ remedies ) 😉

@Enigma54 So sorry to hear that but where there’s life there’s hope. I’m going down spitting mad. Alternative pain control is good and legal in my state 🥰. I hate cancer 🤬.

@Sbmpp ah you are not UK based?
Yes, it’s just a hideous “ journey” Indescribably shit!! How does one retain positivity?

@Enigma54 Yes but strangely enough it is legal in the state I live in but because it’s not legal federally my insurance doesn’t prescribe it 😝! Go figure. It’s definitely a “hideous journey”. Faith in the next life helps me hang on. I just don’t want to leave this one yet.

@Sbmpp I hear you. Desperately clinging onto hope this end!