Recently diagnosed with colon cancer

I was diagnosed with colon cancer this past week. I am a 40 year old male. I am meeting with the surgeon this week and hope to have it done laparascopically. Would love any help or feedback on what to expect in he coming weeks.

Hi, so sorry about your diagnosis. My hubby had CC in 03. (survivor) He was state 3/4. Was about the size of a softball. Anyway, we made sure we had a colon onocolgist surgeon, very important. He was also at a large hospital where there were clinical trials and was able to participate in one that saved his life.

Are you going to have to have chemo/radiation after your surgery? Your surgery doesn't seem as bad as my hubbies. He did have problems w/ using the bathroom was on pain meds of course which caused constipation so he had to take stool softners. His was a total resection of the colon. He had an incision from top of private area to belly button. No bag. (hence using the experience of the specialist)

Not sure if I've answered your question completely but hit me up if you have anymore. cj

Sorry to hear that you have colon cancer. If this hasn't been done already, it is important to have a CAT scan of the abdomen/pelvis and chest to check if the cancer has spread outside the colon. This should be done before surgery. Also have your MD do a CEA blood level prior to surgery. CEA is a measure of a substance that colon and some other gastric cancers produce and the presurgical level will serve as a baseline against levels that are taken periodically during treatment to assess progress. It is not a reliable indicator for some people but it is for most.

You didn't mention the location of your tumor. If it is low and close to the rectal area, it is important that your surgeon be a board certified colorectal surgeon with extensive experience in laproscopic procedures.

The surgeon should also have the tumor tested for microsatellite instability. If it tests microsatellite (MSI) high, there is a possibility, especially since at 40 you are relatively young that the cancer could be genetic in origin. Treatment options and follow-up are different for a HNPCC/Lynch Syndrome colon cancer than for a random colon cancer.