What are the chances that after having a clear colonoscopy 17 months ago, a mass I have now is cancer?

5 Comments

1. Panda says:

   August 31, 2009 at 2:00 am

   Having a colonoscopy 17 months ago would not detect cancer that might be microscopic or became cancer at 12 months. Cancer is a progressive disease which means that it starts out as a single microscopic cell that begins to grow uncontrollably. A cancer tumor can grow in as little as 28 days . . . which means unless you have the colonoscopy at eactly the right time when a cancer is growing . . it can easily be missed.

   The reason I know this is because my son has a stage IV abdominal sarcoma that can grow rapidly within that 28 day period. Cancer growth is not at all predictable . . some can grow rapidly and some will take years to appear. If you have an aggressive colon cancer it can grow fast and become larger in a month or two. Which really means that 17 months is a long, long time in the cancer world . . ancient really, meaning that you need a new colonscopy if anything at all seems suspicious. The old test is just that . . . old news now, because many things can change in a few months including a new cancer.

   The reason that cancer patients have a CT or PET scan every three months is to track whether the cancer is growing or not.

   It is not at all weird that you might have been ‘normal’ a year and a half ago and now you might have cancer. This happens all the time.

   The good part is that you do have records of the colonoscopy from a year or more ago and the doctor will be able to compare the results with what is happening now.

   Here is an illustration of the stages in colon cancer. Please note how tiny the cancer is in stage I and how difficult it would be to detect. Keep in mind that one microscopic malignant cell can occur at ANY time . . and remain dormant for an undetermined amount of time . . and than suddently start growing. Cancer is a deceptive disease. Do not underestimate it.

   Illustration: The stages of colon cancer
   http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/Media/CDR0000415501.jpg

   Best wishes to you.
2. rocky says:

   August 31, 2009 at 2:00 am

   There must be more to your story, that you are not telling, otherwise they wouldn’t repeat your test so soon.
3. embellishment3 says:

   August 31, 2009 at 2:00 am

   It is bad that nothing was showing up for you when you had the colonoscopy months ago.I really hope if it is cancer it is in the early stage.Did you ask your Doc.why nothing was detected earlier?Yes it is a dreaded disease and can hit at any time but please be very positive as the treatment these days are alot better then along time ago.All the best with everything and think 100% positive.
4. tina s says:

   August 31, 2009 at 2:00 am

   I don`t know what the chance are,but Alternative medicine can save your life.Check out the book Perscription For Nutritional Healing.Find an alternative medicine dr.You need to cleanse your colon ASAP.Spices such as cardamom,cayenne pepper,ginger,rosemary,sage,thyme,and tumeric,have anti-cancer properties.Alternate astragalus,burdock root,dandelion milk thistle,green tea,parsley,red clover.These can help detoxify.Cats claw has anti tumor properties.Melatonin,taken an hour before bedtime can shrink a tumor.Take it to late,and it can make it grow.Chlorella,spiralina,cilantro and wild bear garlic can detox and have many vitamins and minerals in them.
5. TedEx says:

   August 31, 2009 at 2:00 am

   It might just be a polyp, then all that worrying is for nothing. Let’s wait until we’re sure.