Trying to understand diagnosis. Please help!

FormerMember
FormerMember
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My husband has been diagnosed with bowel cancer. I previously asked a question about BRAF mutation which he was told he has. Today we received more information in a letter. He had BRAF mutation, is RAS wild type and his MSI shows a normal expression. Can anyone help me understand this? I have tried to read up on it but it all seems so complex. I asked his consultant but if I’m honest I was even more confused afterwards. Does anyone know anywhere I can find out more information about what this all means. Feeling so lost right now! 

  • Hi 

    It’s a lot of information to take in . RAS wild type means he has no ras mutations . That is what is more common in Bowel cancer.  MSI can be High or Low in terms of expression and it sounds as though your husbands is very low at the normal end . These are both encouraging as far as I understand it and I am no Dr just been reading ! 

    One of the most important things is being operable . Hold onto that . It comes more into play if people require further treatment . 
    Hoping that’s never the case for your husband .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to court

    Thank you 

    Can I ask is Ras wild type or is having ras mutations more common in bowel cancer. Not sure I read it correctly? 

  • Ras wild type is more common . No mutations . 

    It is all so complicated . I always have to recheck before I reply !

    Hope your having a nice weekend .

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to court

    Thank you  for taking the time to reply. I keep going over it and trying to make sense of it all but I guess it is such a complex thing that doesn’t make a lot of sense. As you said before we just have to focus on what is in front of us and hope for the best.
    I hope you are having a good weekend and thank you again for your kind words. 

  • Totally understand and it’s a good thing that you do , I certainly did the same and tried to process some of the information as best I could ! Its  just hard to translate unless you have a degree in cancer biology . We actually used to have a lecturer on cancer biology on the forum . What a gift he was ! 

    Once he has a few good scans on board it’s easier to focus on the future . It’s easier said than done but  hopefully he will put this all behind him in the near future .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000