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Colon Cancer/colon cancer metasized to liver and lung

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Expert: - 8/9/2007


Question
In Feb. 2006 my 50 year old husband was diagnosed with colon cancer that had already spread to his liver (over 15 lesions).  They said it was inoperable.  He did chemo with minimal shrinkage although it did remain stable.  Eventually it showed very small nodules at the base of his lungs.  He had an awful year filled with major pain - so much pain medicine that he ended up psychotic and in the hospital.  Luckily, we saved him and now he just takes dilaudid - 24 8 milligram a day.  Wow.  Anyway, his stomach has gotten very large and tight and he has swollen feet (just noticed that) and is jaundice.  what does this all mean?  He is on vectibux and has been for 9 treatments.  Is this an indication of months?

Answer
Unfortunately these are bad signs - probably indicating impaired venous blood return and lymphatic fluid return from his legs, increased fluid amounts (ascites) inside his abdominal cavity and impaired liver function (his jaundice). All probably signs of increased tumor growth in his liver. Yes unfortunately it probably is an indication of that he has only months or maybe even only weeks left.

Colon Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

Expertise

I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience with regards to this cancer.

Experience

I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps. You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

I also answer questions in these categories: Oncology (General Cancer), General History, Military History, Brain Tumors, Breast Cancer.

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I'm a medical doctor and a specialist in medical oncology & radiation therapy.

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