Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 7/17/2007

Question
Hi Doctor:
My mother was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer in 2002. 4 lymph nodes were tested and the cancer had spread to one out of the 4. She had surgery and did a course of 5fu chemotherapy. During the surgery, it was found that she had a badly cirrhotic liver and she stopped drinking alcohol. In 2003 she had a major stroke that left her paralyzed on one side, unable to walk or speak.
Lately, she has had a terrible cough that seems to recur every 3-4 months, it seems to clear with antibiotics, but always comes back. Could the cancer have spread to the lung even though she will be at the 5 year mark next month? She doesn't seem to have any other symptoms, although she can't really tell us if she is in any pain. She does not seem to be short of breath.
Also, just recently, during a festive couple of days, we given her small amounts of alcohol and she has started bleeding bright red blood rectally. Of course, we stopped and so did the bleeding. I know this may sound dumb, but could it be that the alcohol was aggravating her liver causing her to bleed rectally??
Any insight or help you can give would be appreciated.


Answer
Well after 5 years it is unlikely but not impossible that her cancer has come back, so it is possible that it has spread to her lungs. But probably a simple lung x-ray would clear this question up. With regards to her bleeding and the alcohol I do not know if they were connected or if it was a coincidence. No one does. But to give alcohol to someone with a severe liver cirrhosis IS DUMB if you pardon me saying so! It is like treating someone who has managed to survive a suicide attempt by shooting by shooting him one more time!