Expert: John C. M.D. - 4/12/2001

Question
My husband has colon cancer and has had surgery. The Dr. removed a foot of his colon but, the cancer when on threw into his system. He is in stage III and had just started with his Chemo treatments. How long does people live after this?I heard 3 to 5 years. Is this true? Also does it get any better? Will he ever feel better? What kind of vitimans do recommend? How about food and drinks to give him engery? Any info is welcome!Thank you!

Answer
First, let me say that Stage III colon cancer is not incurable.  40-50% of patients are long-term survivors of Stage III disease.  A person's best prognosis with stage III disease is when all of the primary tumor is removed at the initial surgery.  With stage III cancer, he had lymph nodes involved but not any distant sites of cancer such as the liver. If this truly is stage III cancer, he has a chance of beating it and should hang in there with the adjuvant chemotherapy.  He should feel much better after the chemotherapy is over.  How long he will survive will depend on whether or not the cancer recurs.
I can't give specific medication or vitamin recommendations without knowing him.