Rectal cancer, potential secondary liver cancer and tumour on one kidney

Hi Powder and a warm welcome to the board. I also had something flagged up in my liver but it turned out to be a harmless tumour called a haemangioma - these are apparently pretty common and most people go through life not knowing that they have one unless they have a scan. Even if there is spread to the liver there are still a lot of treatments available and the liver can be re-sected for example but we’ll cross that bridge if we get to it.

I’m sorry that you’ve had such a tough couple of years and the next few months are going to be trying too but bowel cancer is very treatable. The waiting for scans and results is very stressful but once you have a treatment plan in place then things will feel a bit better.

Please keep posting - we’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery and happy to help and support you through this

Take care 

Karen x

Hello Karen

thank-you for taking the time to respond and providing such a  positive response.  Your response has helped greatly

Hi Powder 

What a lot you have gone through . It’s so tough .

As Karen said not all liver involvement is malignant. However if it is then bowel cancer is more fortunate than some other primary cancers as it still has a lot of treatment options . Size and location matters when it comes to the liver but my mum had a good response to treatment for her liver spread and it allowed a surgical option to open up . It did go back and forward for around two years until she had 73% of her liver removed at a specialist centre and her liver remains clear 13 years later . 

She is currently in treatment for a spread to her liver but fourteen years into this and still got a good quality of life . 

The kidney if it’s another primary may still have surgical options . You would be surprised at the amount of people who come through here with two primaries at the same time . The specialist are inclined to work together .

It might s also encourage you to know my mum went round various European destinations after her diagnosis.

One step at a time and we can help you each step of the way with information and top tips with chemo etc if required .

Take care ,

Court

Thankyou, I appreciate the information.  It’s a great source of strength to me to speak with the first hand knowledgeable people in this community.

It should read her lung !!! Her liver is still clear . 
So glad you are finding it helpful .

Court 

An update:  I had the detailed MRI scan on my liver and Ive just received news from the consultant that the team have reviewed the scan and advise it is haemangioma and he's confident in treating the rectal cancer and they will start treating that first prior to any treatment for the kidney.  I have an appointment to see the urology consultant on 16th August so Ill hopefully hear about the plan forward for that.

Im going on holiday for a week now on a cruise with all my family - i'm still facing 2 primary cancers but I'm more hopeful now and intend to enjoy this holiday with my two granddaughters prior to the treatment starting.

Good news about the liver Powder . Enjoy your holiday x

Hi powder, I'm so sorry you have been through so much over the last 2 years. Such good news about your liver. Ee March on! Hope you had a restful break and enjoyed your cruise. My story is very similar to yours, I have a T1b N0 polyp and another primary in my kidney, found by chance. I'm hoping they can remove the polyp by endoscopic mucosal Resection, dont have a date yet, then same as you I will no doubt find out what is in store for me re the kidney. Hope the urology appointment went well. Take care kerry. 

Hi Gosh,

keep your spirit and hope up, it’s often the unknown that’s worrying but once you know what’s happening, it’s easier.

I had my urology appointment yesterday and they advised it’s a  small 18mm cyst or tumour on top of left kidney.  The consultant is happy tor the rectal cancer to be treated first and just wants to monitor the kidney with another MRI in six months.  He advised risk of spread if it is cancer is very low given size and location.  Advised potential to cut it out in future depending on future observations.

just before I went on holiday, on receiving the positive news about my liver, the consultant also advised I had a thicker uterus lining and had referred me to gynaecology ( what else is going to be revealed by that MRI scan! - it’s just more bad news).  Anyway,saw gynaecology consultant the day before we flew out for the cruise.  Advised that as there were no symptoms and thickness of lining was 8mm, below the 10-11mm were they would be take further investigative action, he was not concerned.

a great weight off my shoulders with the liver and uterus news enabling me to thoroughly enjoy the holiday with my family and spend quality time with my two granddaughters.

I have my first oncology appointment at the end of the month for the rectal cancer.  I’m reading a book called radical remission and have changed a few aspects of my life, particularly diet and more exercise - I’m focused on doing all I can to help the healing. It’s still a long road ahead but I have my personal plan and I’ll have the oncology plan soon.

good luck with your battle