Does Metastatic mean the same as secondary cancer?

Hi Reggatta and welcome to the community.

I’m sorry to read that your cancer has recurred-I’ve been through recurrence of a different cancer so I understand how difficult it is hearing that news.

In answer to your question, yes, these terms mean the same thing. Your cells from your original bowel cancer have now been identified in the tumour found on your liver. This makes it metastatic or secondary cancer rather a new and different cancer.

I notice that you haven’t joined any groups yet, so would like to suggest that you join and post in the bowel cancer forum where there are many people who have had a spread to the liver and can help, and who will also have experience of the chemo you are having. I’ll put a link here for you to get there

Bowel Cancer Forum

I hope things go well with your treatment.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah 

Thanks for explaining that to me.

I will check out the Bowel Cancer Forum.  Thanks for me the link.

Kind Regards,

I’m sure there will be lots of help and support for you in the bowel cancer group.

Sarah xx

Hi Tracey.  

Firstly I'm so sorry for your diagnosis,  it's such a scary unknown time isn't it. I hope you dont mind me reaching out,  when I read your post I couldn't pass it by given the similarities of our diagnosis.  

I was diagnosed with Cancer over Christmas,  it was a complete shock as I had zero symptoms and was fit and healthy,  I have Bowel Cancer as my primary cancer and I have 2 small tumours in my liver,  secondary cancer. 

I have now had the tumour removed from my bowel along with the lymph nodes and 40% of my right colon. 

The testing on the tumour hasn't finished so I'll not find out what type of cancer or how aggressive is it until my next appointment. 

Next steps are chemotherapy,  then potentially liver operation to remove the part of the liver with the 2 tumours. 

I hope your treatment goes well and they are able to shrink that tumour. Sending you positive vibes and love. 

Mollie

Tracey.  

Firstly I'm so sorry for your diagnosis,  it's such a scary unknown time isn't it. I hope you dont mind me reaching out,  when I read your post I couldn't pass it by given the similarities of our diagnosis.  

I was diagnosed with Cancer over Christmas,  it was a complete shock as I had zero symptoms and was fit and healthy,  I have Bowel Cancer as my primary cancer and I have 2 small tumours in my liver,  secondary cancer. 

I have now had the tumour removed from my bowel along with the lymph nodes and 40% of my right colon. 

The testing on the tumour hasn't finished so I'll not find out what type of cancer or how aggressive is it until my next appointment. 

Next steps are chemotherapy,  then potentially liver operation to remove the part of the liver with the 2 tumours. 

I hope your treatment goes well and they are able to shrink that tumour. Sending you positive vibes and love. 

Mollie

Hi Mollie.

My thoughts are with you.  I started chemotherapy treatment again about 2 weeks ago.

I have also had to start taking blood pressure tablets as my blood pressure hit the roof during my first cycle!  I should be having a scan once I've had 6 cycles to see if it's shrinking or not.

I hope all goes well for you with your treatment.

Thank you for reminding me that I'm not alone with this.

Sending you positive vibes and a hug.

Tracey 

You are not alone. I know it feels like it, I'm a little down today after my bowel surgery,  but we will get there!! 

We have got this xxx 

Hi Mollster 

It’s tough recovering from surgery, both mentally and physically, so although my cancer was different I do understand that. 

I notice that you haven’t joined any groups yet, but as I suggested to Reggatta you might  benefit from joining the bowel group I linked to in my reply to them. You can connect with others there who have been through the same sorts of experiences with surgery and treatment and you might find it helpful-you can’t make new posts in a group without joining, but if you join the group you can introduce yourself and chat with others.

Sarah xx

Thanks Sarah. I'll take a look. As far as I am aware the bowel is done for now and they are less concerned about it, I move onto liver treatment next as I have 2 small tumours in there , but I've not seen the oncology department yet, us there a liver forum? Xx

Thanks again 

Hi Mollster

Yes, there is a group for secondary liver cancer, and this is the link-

Secondary Liver Cancer

This group is for those who have secondary liver cancer after another primary cancer (which might not be bowel) but it is not as “busy” as the bowel group.

Many people on the bowel group use that group to post further details of their stories and treatment etc and may not join the secondary liver cancer group. So you may get more replies in the bowel group if you post there as spread to the liver is a topic which is discussed frequently.

There is another group specifically for liver cancer as a primary cancer, but I haven’t linked to it as you are in a different situation.

Sarah xx