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Does Prostate Cancer spread to your stomach?

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Posted 5/3/2008 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
My father in law had radical prostate surgery about 11 years ago with good result on his PSA tests over the years.  Last Wednesday however, he colapsed and was rushed to a local hospital.  He's a young 69 in overall good shape.

They determined he was loosing alot of blood (black stools) from either is stomach or upper bowls.  When they scoped him they found a large (1/2 of his stomach) tumor.  A biopsy was taken and we awaiting the results.  He has crashed twice now from blood loose and is currently in ICU.  Once he is stabalized they will try and removed the tumor.

Does prostate cancer spread this way?  Can it lay dormant for years and them magically spring to life?  My wife's comments "Is this going to be you in 10 to 15 years?".


Thanks

Posted 5/3/2008 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
All of you questions have a "yes" answer. Unfortunately. But from the description of the mass, this does not sound like prostate cancer but rather colon cancer. Prostate does attach itself to bone, lung, and liver most commonly, and sometimes rectal. But to do it without a PSA rise is extremely rare. Especially so vast that it landed him in the ICU...(Tony's opinion, but educated a bit). There is a study that is trying to see a link to prostate cancer and colon cancer but there is no conclusive evidence at this time. But some folks get the cancer gene, and have multiple malignancies in their life time. For anyone with prostate cancer, the bad news is that 15 years is not out of the question for recurrance, and no one knows why it can linger so long in a dormant state. But there is Hope, and you have to stay positive. No sense in living worried about it.

Tony
Posted 5/3/2008 5:49 PM (GMT 0)

Agree with TC, this sounds like colon cancer, not prostate cancer.  Either way, it sounds quite serious.

Did he have colorectal examinations regularly?

Will keep him in my prayers.

DanMan

Posted 5/3/2008 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
First, I am so sorry to hear about what your father and you are going through.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Second, has he ever had a colonoscopy? Colon cancer also runs in the family, so I would definitely schedule a colonoscopy if I were you.  Guidelines recommend screening at 50, but with a family history, I wouldn't wait.  Similar to PCa, Colon Cancer is very treatable if caught early.  I know a number of people that have done well with colon cancer treatment.  Either way, keep us posted on your dad's condition and I am not sure where you are located, but if you need any names of top Gastroenterologists, let me know.  God bless!
Posted 5/3/2008 11:56 PM (GMT 0)

I  have had (or have)  both prostate and colon cancer -- both primaries.

If Roger C's description is correct, "stomach or upper bowel", this would place his father-in-law's tumor outside the colon and  beyond a colonoscopy -- at least the ones I have had which stop at the exit from the small intestine (upper bowel).

My non-medical opinion is that this problem likely has nothing to do the original prostate cancer. While recurrent prostate cancer can lie dormant for years, it nearly always shows its presence by rising PSA levels -- rising long before before there are any physical symptoms of metastasis. 

Roger, let's hope for a good outcome for your FIL -- these things often turn out to be not nearly as bad as we fear.

Posted 5/4/2008 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
At about 7pm my father in law's blood pressure crashed again and he was off the the ICU for a return visit. They had just transfered him back to the surgery ward to await his Monday surgery. about 30 minutes after entering the ICO he was rushed into surgery as he was bleeding out from the tumor.

They had planned on removing his entire stumach and spleen tonight in an effort to control the beeding. In the end the bleeding was so bad that they could on manage the 1/3 of the stumach (where the tumor was located) and the spleen (where it had grown into) as the bleed was so bad during the surgery. He's now back in the ICU and recovering. Hopefully we will know more about the tumor soon. If it's non cancerous he's in the clear, otherwise once he heals they will go back and remove alot more.

Unforetunetly he may have suffered some brain damage during the operation. Only time will tell. We are trying to stay positive.

Thank you again so very much for all your thoughts and prayers.
Posted 5/4/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
So sorry to hear about your father in law's fight. Hopefully the tumour is benign.I will keep him in my prayers.
Posted 5/15/2008 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Just as a follow-up.

My father in-law survived the surgery, minus half his stomach and spleen, with no other outward signs of trouble. The tumour also appears to be non-cancerous, but they are going to keep a close eye on him.

He dodge a BIG bullet.... Or for those that subscribe to "Jelly Bean Theory on Life" he grab a couple of grey jelly beans and avoided the black one.
Posted 5/15/2008 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Good deal..hope he recovers quickly.

Swim
Posted 5/15/2008 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Roger - sometimes posts move so quickly on this forum that I miss what's happening. I'd read your post when you first came on...it's good to know things are much better. Your father-in-law is a lucky man in more ways than one.

I hope he recovers without problems and in good health,
Susan
Posted 5/16/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Great news Roger.
But I take exception to the avoided black jelly beans...I like them too. I guess I'm the reason they keep making them, no?

Great news and a prayer answered.

Tony
Posted 5/16/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Good news and I hope he has a full recovery very soon.

Norskie
Posted 5/16/2008 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
It's great to hear that the tumor is benign. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for him and strength for the entire family.
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