marieharvey
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Posts:48
Can someone please tell me specifically what type of cancer this is? I happened upon a post on this cancer and the statistics frightened me. I don't believe this is same type of cancer I have...my diagnosis is Stage 4 Uretholial cancer, tumor found in ureter, removed along with 21 lymph nodes, cancer in two of the nodes, therefore Stage 4. Currently in chemo, cisplatin and gemzar.
Thank you
Forums
Reply # - February 16, 2015, 06:44 PM
Hi Marie,
Hi Marie,
The type of cancer you have isn't all that common but isn't as rare as the type you've dug up. Statistics taken from the few cases recorded aren't near enough anyway to shed light on another's experience. Each one is it's own case. "Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma arising in the ureter is extremely rare; only a few cases have been previously reported in the literature." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3919792/
From what I recall you're cancer is being treated with curative intent. I plan on this plan working out. How about you? 8-)
Janine
Reply # - February 16, 2015, 09:15 PM
A ureteral cancer is a
A ureteral cancer is a "transitional cell carcinoma", essentially the same kinds of cells as the ones lining the bladder. It is therefore treated very similarly to an invasive bladder cancer -- cisplatin and gemcitabine would be the most commonly recommended treatment and is very appropriate. Unfortunately, since it is stage IV, it couldn't feasibly be treated with curative intent, but these cancers can respond well to chemotherapy and can significantly improve survival if the cancer shrinks on treatment.
Good luck.
-Dr. West
Reply # - February 17, 2015, 03:59 AM
Dr West,
Dr West,
My tumor was removed in November. In January, 2 weeks before starting chemo, a CT scan was taken and was clear. At that time I asked my oncologist if the CT scan would show diseased lymph nodes and he said it would. Since nothing showed, I assumed the chemo was for any Cancer cells too small to show yet. He did say I would get another scan after two cycles of chemo. I assume that's in case the chemo is not working and something has started growing?
Thank you
Janine, thanks for the kind comments....
Reply # - February 17, 2015, 06:02 AM
Hi Marie,
Hi Marie,
Congratulations on your successful surgery and clean scan!
Your assumptions are both correct. The purpose of adjuvant (post-surgery) chemo is to eradicate any remaining cancer cells wherever they may be. Though it's unlikely that anything large enough to show on a CT will appear after two cycles of chemo, that's just what your doctors will be looking for.
Good luck with chemo and we'll be looking for your next - another clean scan!
JimC
Forum moderator
Reply # - February 17, 2015, 07:15 AM
Thanks Jim. As most people
Thanks Jim. As most people probably have a tendency to do, I seem to keep posting and posting until I hear what I'm looking for - some positive comments that help me think I may be okay and come out of this victorious! I really appreciate everyone on this site....
Marie
Reply # - February 17, 2015, 11:09 AM
Marie, I think I may have led
Marie, I think I may have led you in the wrong direction. But I hope and plan for that one in a hundred chance for you. ;)
It's perfectly normal to post, to look for the positive twist in an unforgivable situation. While our doctors won't give you false hope most everyone who gives online can help you find a positive twist or view or way to hold your nerve while moving through this process. My husband is one of those best case scenarios and at 5 plus years out he finds it extremely difficult to move through the time just before scans. Even being the lucky one in a 1000 doesn't necessarily leave you feeling as lucky as you might assume it would.
The interesting part about giving and finding positive comments I've found is everyone would like a quick easy place to find and give encouraging words of wisdom from those who've been there or helped. We've started threads, had social workers and palliative care specialists write about it but the truth seems to be that the most exquisitely wise info comes in threads discussing technical issues about ones cancer, neither asked for or bargained for but always accepted.
The definition of hope transforms and gives infinite light to those moving through a process like cancer. A real eye opener.
Janine
Reply # - February 17, 2015, 09:33 PM
Actually, I think that here
Actually, I think that here there is some ambiguity about what might be feasible. I saw the stage IV but overlooked that this was by positive nodes only. The stage IV status is consistent with a prognosis that cure is not likely, but in the absence of evidence of disease outside of the lymph nodes (distant metastatic disease), I think it is feasible and appropriate to pursue chemo with a hope of eradicating the last cancer cell after surgery.
I do realize this is a challenging situation, but I assure you that I have several patients who are doing well years after surgery for a ureteral cancer. The fact that nodes are positive is certainly worrisome, but there were only two, and ureteral cancer is uncommon enough that I think it isn't well characterized enough to say anything definitive about what to expect.
Good luck.
-Dr. West