When you find out that your colon cancer has spread to your liver, you may feel shocked and scared. That's normal. But the important thing to know is that with today's advanced treatments, people can live much longer with this condition than ever before. One reason for this is advanced treatments. Another important reason is that your doctors will monitor your condition very closely . This monitoring will help them decide what treatment is best for you.
Cancer is a very complex disease. And the treatments are becoming increasingly specific to each person. This means that the same treatment that works for one person may not work for another. So doctors need as much information as possible to develop the best treatment plan for you. So, as they monitor you, they will continue to do the scans , blood tests , and physical exams that you already know. The results of these tests are what the medical team will use to make these decisions:
- Understand exactly what your situation is right now.
- Choose the best treatment you can give.
- Monitor the progress of treatment and make necessary changes.
What types of scans are being looked for?
Your doctor will compare images taken at different times to see if the size, shape, and other characteristics of the tumors have changed. They will also look for new tumors.
- CT Scan: This is the most commonly used because it can take pictures of your abdomen, chest, and pelvis all at once. To get clear pictures, you will be given a special liquid ( contrast dye ) to drink or have injected into a vein before this.
- MRI Scans: An MRI scan may be used if a doctor wants to plan surgery or to confirm whether a tumor is cancerous or not.
- PET Scans: A PET scan is sometimes used, especially to help see more clearly how a cancer has been affected by treatment.
What can be found in blood tests?
You feel like you're always there, maybe once every 3 or 6 months.You will need to have blood tests. These will check how you are responding to treatment and whether any changes in treatment are needed.
Simply put, these blood tests are like a 'report' to your doctor about the condition inside your body.
| Blood Test | What are you checking? |
|---|---|
| CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen) | This is a protein produced by some cancer cells. If its level rises, it can be a sign that the cancer is coming back. If the level falls, it is a sign that treatment is working. However, if your cancer does not produce CEA, this test will not be useful for you. |
| Complete Blood Count (CBC) | This measures various things in your blood. The doctor will pay particular attention to: • Platelets: These help blood clot. Their levels are used to determine if there is a risk of blood clots. • Red blood cells and hemoglobin: If these are low, you have anemia . This is common in cancer conditions. • White blood cells: If the number of these is too high or too low, it can be a sign of infection. |
| Kidney Function Tests | Cancer and some treatments can put stress on the kidneys. These tests measure the levels of waste products that the kidneys remove. If there are changes in those levels, your doctor may need to change your treatment. |
| Liver Function Tests | This is done to see how your liver is functioning. It measures the levels of certain proteins and enzymes. By looking at how these levels change over time, your doctor can determine whether your liver is still functioning and whether treatment has caused serious damage. |
The importance of a physical examination by a doctor
Although this is not a very technical test, a physical exam is very valuable . Your doctor will feel your abdomen and chest for any pain or lumps. They will look at your skin color, and ask you about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
This last point is very important. Tell your doctor about any changes or new symptoms you notice . Even if it seems minor, it's worth mentioning. This information will help your doctor understand your condition better. Not only that, but some symptoms can also be signs of an emergency. For example:
- Chest pain
- Yellowing of the skin and itching (severe jaundice )
- Difficulty breathing
If you experience anything like this, call your doctor immediately or go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).
How does the way you are observed change?
No one can predict exactly how your condition will progress, but you can expect some changes in the way you are monitored, depending on whether your cancer is curable or not.
When the cancer is curable
At this point, it is extremely important to follow up as your doctor recommends. The main reason is to check for signs of cancer recurrence . Your follow-up schedule may look like this:
- The first 2 years after recovery: A physical exam, blood tests, and a CT scan are done every 3-6 months. Also, a colonoscopy is done within the first year.
- Between 2-5 years: The testing interval is slightly longer, possibly every 6-12 months.
- After 5 years: You may need to have annual tests.
When the cancer isn't curable
At this point, you will need to go for follow-up visits about every 3 months to see how well your treatment is working. The tests you need will depend on the type of treatment you are receiving and how you respond to it.
If you are in a clinical trial testing a new treatment, you may need to go for follow-ups as often as every 2 months.
Take-Home Message
- Even if colon cancer spreads to the liver, today's advanced treatments and close monitoring allow for a good life.
- Regular monitoring is the key to managing your condition and choosing the best treatment for you.
- All three of these tests, scans, blood tests, and physical examinations, are equally important for this monitoring.
- Talk to your doctor immediately about any changes or new symptoms you notice. Don't keep anything to yourself.
- Be sure to attend the follow-up tests your doctor prescribes. It's the biggest investment you can make in your health.
Colon cancer, liver cancer, cancer monitoring, colon cancer sinhala, CT scan, blood tests, CEA test, cancer treatment
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