Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/6/2007

Question
i had colon cancer and was operated/had chemo nine years ago (when i was 32).  for the last year or so i have had pain in my left thigh that comes and goes - that is the side i had cancer on, too.  i have read that colon cancer can cause this kind of pain when it recurs.  am i just being paranoid?  is this worth a special follow-up and if so, what kind of follow-up?  

my last colonoscopy was clean, almost two years ago.  the doctor said i did not need one for another three years at the time, but my personal feeling is that this is too far apart.  i was initially diagnosed almost by fluke and by that time it was a Dukes' stage III.  should i insist, and have another one now, especially given the thigh pain?  is there another test i could ask for that would be useful between the colonoscopies?  i was CEA negative at the time of diagnosis - are there better markers nowadays that might have clinical value?

i try not to be paranoid but it seems reasonable to me to do a follow-up scope every year or two to keep a patient's mind at ease with my history.  i also would appreciate any insight you might have as far as other tests that could help with the follow-up.

thanks!  

Answer
Yes in my opinion if you had a colon cancer so early in life you SHOULD have a regular colonoscopy once every year at least to be on the safe side! Well if you have managed to survive for s long you are probably cured, BUT in order to be on the safe side since a colonoscopy can NOT cover everything in this situation and you were unfortunately CEA negagtive I do suggest that you have a PET scan done in order to see if you have any tumor suspicious activity anywhere. If not your symptoms are probably unrelated to your cancer! Good luck!

Thanks! Sorry to ASK You a question, Are you from Canada (Quebec) or from France, Belgium or Switzerland?