Had my 2nd visit with the Gastro doctor along with my test results from the week before.
He removed 3 growths from my esophagus. Two were pre-cancerous, and one was some kind of fatty tissue tumor.
From my colon, he removed 4 polyps, the type that grow right into the wall of the colon. He said 3 were large, and 1 was really big. All 4 tested to be pre-cancerous, and he said that it would have only been a short time till they had been full fledged colon cancer. So it was good that they were found and removed.
Based on what he found, he said I needed to repeat both procedures every 3 years from now on to be safe, as they would be prone to come back quickly.
The irritation he found in my stomach walls was also ruled out to be cancer or infection, he believed it was the result of even further radiation damage from my flawed SRT.
As far as what is wrong with the appetite/weight loss/cramping issues, he is uncertain at this time. His 2 current theories are, that it is either the results of new radiation damage taking place (and yes, he agreed with my oncologist, uro, and radiation oncologist, that sometimes the worse damage from radiation can develop years later, in my case, it will be 3 years next month that my SRT ended. Or, and this follows my oncologist’s hunch, these troubles will be found connected to my badly damaged and radiated bladder. Still a lot of suspicion to there being bladder cancer.
Due to my deep and narrow prostate bed, he said all the surrounding tissue and organs are all heavily confined and closer together than normal. And with that much radiation being delivered (72 gys) incorrectly, he was not surprised by the extent of damage.
He is going to talk to my oncologist again, and he too is recommending setting me up for extensive PET scans. He said they are way more sensitive than any of the regular CAT or MRI scan I have taken this year. The PET scans may show evidence of radiation scarring in my digestive systems, and may possibly find serious bladder damage in the form of cancer.
He finally prescribed me a new med, don’t have the name handy, that I started tonight. It is suppose to be like a muscle relaxer to calm down the walls of the stomach and colon, which he feels is being triggered by the clamps. He said I would know in the next 2 to 3 days if the med is going to help. Only warning was it can cause severe dehydration, so I am going to have stay on top of staying properly hydrated.
He completely ruled out IBS, Crohns, ulcers, and celiac disorders. He will be updating my oncologist, and said he would stand by to see if he wants to order any other digestive related tests, or to assist with the PET scans if needed.
I didn’t get a clear answer, but I was afraid of that. The gastro dr. said he wasn’t surprised by that, because I have some complicated issues going on with the prostate cancer, the radiation damage. He too, is baffled why my non-function bladder wasn’t simply removed nearly 2 years ago, instead of leaving it there to be a future problem. He admitted that if removal is needed, it will be a long and risky operation at the least.
He was so booked up, had to wait 1 ½ hours past my appointment time, and then spent 30 minutes with him.
It is what it is, unfortunately. Perhaps these new pills will give me some kind of physical relief, I can only hope.
I think its going to come down to having a second opinion done with a higher level urologist, which my oncologist is prepared to refer me to, to go over my entire medical history of the past 4 years. I have no intentions on getting rushed into a major surgery at this time, unless it can be fully warranted on all fronts.
David in SC
e