Mets to Colon?

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terri-c
terri-c Member Posts: 180
edited July 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

So, while I'm still a lurker here, things had been going pretty well for me. My MBC has been stable for just over 4 years now.

But yesterday I had to have a colonoscopy because of some symptoms I've had. Doc found 3 polyps that weren't there at last colonoscopy 4 years ago. They were 7mm, 10mm and 20mm, and one had a blood vessel in it. They've been removed and sent to pathology, but I've been doing some research today, and it turns out that though it isn't common for MBC to spread to the colon, it does happen.

Have any of you experienced mets to your colon? If so, how was it dealt with after removal? Any information you can provide would be appreciated. The case reports I've read online are interesting, but purely clinical perspectives, and I would rather have the personal perspective.

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  • EuroAmerican
    EuroAmerican Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2018

    Hi,

    Very unlikely. You had polyps. Polyps are very common. 20 mm polyp is still very unlikely to have malignant cells. You have to wait for the pathology. You will have to have colonoscopy more often now. If you had malignant cells - it would most likely be stage 0 or 1 colon cancer. But your chances are very low. I didn’t have breast cancer. But have strong family history. But had malignant colon polyp overs 3 years ago. Stage 1 colon cancer. I only had polyp removed and so far good

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  • terri-c
    terri-c Member Posts: 180
    edited July 2018

    I left out that my gastro and onco docs think 2 of the polyps removed are mets, but yes, we are waiting on the pathology. Thanks for your response :)

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  • EV11
    EV11 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2018

    Hi, Terri-c...

    I have MBC mets in my colon (seven 3-6mm lesions scattered throughout my large colon), also found on routine colonoscopy this spring...I was not having any GI symptoms at all, but I do have a strong family history of colon cancer so I get a colonoscopy every 5 years. I have lobular CA, which not-too-uncommonly metastasizes to the colon and abdominal region. None of these lesions show up on CT or PET scans, so we are not certain how long they have been there, but my onc asked the radiologist doing the pathology to also check for mitotic rate and found that it was <1% (my original mets discovered 3 years ago had mitotic rate of 19%) so we are assuming that those are "old" mets that are being held at bay by my regimen of Ibrance/letrozole.

    As long as the polyps are "just" MBC and not a new primary colon cancer they will be treated with systemic MBC medications, just like mets to any other organ would be treated. If your polyps end up being MBC, and they are suspected as "new" mets, you most likely will need to change treatment a new medication; it will be good to know the pathology (ER/PR and HER2 status) to help guide that decision.

    I am sorry that you are having to deal with this-- I hope that you get your path results soon and that you and your onc figure out a treatment soon. I find that the waiting and uncertainty between test results and the next plan is a maddening time. My head gets into a better space once I have a plan.

    Let us know when you get your results...

    Best,

    Elizabeth

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  • terri-c
    terri-c Member Posts: 180
    edited July 2018

    Thanks Elizabeth <3 So they left your mets there in your colon? I have read that it is "more" common for ILC, but have IDC, and its even less common to get them in the colon. I've also read there may be a correlation between breast and colon cancer, and I have no family history of either.

    So Ibrance is working well for you? It will be the next treatment option for me (I think). How are the side effects for you?

    Thanks so much for your input, I truly appreciate it!!


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