Tumor and colonoscopy

[Marí Stebbing]

Hi everyone
I was in hospital because of pain in my ascending colon. The Dr said it was a palpable mass and probably Crohn's. I was surprised because I had no other symptoms. My bloodwork was totaly normal. I whent for a CT scan and a sonar. He put me on asacol and Prednisone. A few weeks later i had to go for a colonoscopy to diagnose Crohn's and rule out cancer in my ileum. The doctor could not go into the ileum because the palpable mass/tumor was still too big. So, no diagnosis. He then sent me for a barium CT scan. Now next week he wants me to go for another Colonoscopy. I am not sure about this. What if the tumor is still too big? Isnt there any other way to rule out cancer and diagnose Crohn's? After 3 months i still dont have any other symptoms, only a slight pain where the tumor is.

Any advice will help me so much as I dont want to use this medication beacause of the side effects, and dont want to go through another colonoscopy for nothing.
Thank you!

 

[Scipio]

Did the doctor take a biopsy of the mass? If so, what did the pathology report show? Or did the doctor not take a biopsy, saying the mass looked like an obstruction due to buildup of scar tissue from Crohn's?

I think it is important to get a biopsy more or less right away to see whether the mass is cancer - which means another colonoscopy. If it's not cancer you still have to deal with the pain and obstruction (which may well be due to Crohn's), but on a less urgent basis, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

 

[Marí Stebbing]

Hi
The dr. Didn't take a biopsy of the mass. He said it will probably shrink away over time. Maybe it shrunk already.
Time to just face the music and go for another colonoscopy i think!

 

[Scipio]

Hmm...I wonder what he thinks is causing the mass? Did he say? Because neither buildup of scar tissue from Crohn's nor colon cancer is likely to shrink over time of its own accord, suggesting that he thinks it's neither of those two.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Marie
Have you thought of getting a second opinion?
It's rather worrying that a GI would not take biopsy tissue from the mass.
This happened to me and the first GI diagnosed crohns and did nothing about the mass
The second opinion GI who I knew from working with him in some research found a 4.6cm
mass with early cancerous changes.He arranged for surgery with a very good GI surgeon
and fortunately I did not need chemo but I lost the entire right colon...but was fortunate enough to not have a bag.
Your story makes me uneasy and would suggest a second opinion.
You will need another colonoscopy but make sure the right person does it.
Feel better soon
Hugs
Trysha

 

[Jabee]

Was your doctor unable to take a biopsy of the mass, or was he confident it was inflamed and swollen tissue? It might be worth asking that question in order to rule out whether or not you should be getting a second opinion. Please let us know how you go on.

 

[Trysha]

Hi Marie
How are things with you...please keep in touch and let us know how to help you
Hugs
Trysha