Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 6/29/2004

Question
In Oct. 2002 my husband was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer, which had spread to his liver (Metastatic Adenocarcinoma)7 out of 22 lymph nodes identified positive for metastatic carcinoma with soft tissue seeding and he had extensive tumor seeding of the omentum. they removed his entire colon and had a ileostomy hooked up. One doctor only gave him a few months. He endured almost 10 months of chemo (CPT11,5-FU and leucovorin) after 10 months the PET scan showed the cancer was gone, his surgeon was amased. so he went to reconnected his small intestines with what was left of his bowels and while he was in there he couldn't find any cancer. Cancer was gone we thought.
He went back in May 2004 for his 1st scan 6 months after his ileostomy was reversed and they found two tumors on his liver one being 3cm the other one was smaller, and numerous nodules on both lungs, they put him back on chemo (5-FU,leucovorin, Eloxatin and Avastin) he also wears a pump home for 48 hours, he doesn't seem to be responding very well, it seems to affect his breathing alot (short of breath) and he has pains in his stomach alot. He just had his second treatment. He told the doctor and he just acted like it was normal. He is not one to complain or tell me if something is wrong I have to just watch him. He says that the cancer isn't going to beat him. He does have a very positive additude.
My question is after doing reseach on this chemo they are giving him it sounds like they are just trying to prolong his life and not really trying to get rid of the cancer. Do you think that is what they are trying to do and are not saying anything to us? Should we try something else?

Answer
I'm sorry to read about your husband! Unfortunately I can not honestly give you any good news. His kind of cancer has a very bad prognosis regardless of whatever is done in the way of therapy. I agree that the initial affect of chemo was better than expected, but that will most probably not affect the following clinical course. The best result we can hope for is an increased survival time and maybe decreased symptoms. There is at present NO known way of really getting rid of his cancer, I'm sorry to have to tell you! There is at present really nothing else that can be tried. Surgery and radiation are of no help in a case like this. I regret I have nothing better to tell you!