Posts by James Kim6

Morgan Edwards4, wasn't that at the hospital in San Francisco? Even there, they don't offer much in the way of detailed explanations or real clarity.

Has anyone here dealt with bladder removal? How long does the recovery actually take, and is it necessary following chemo or radiation? What is life really like with a stoma?

Angela Wright Asks:
It has expanded quite significantly. However, whether the involvement extends from the bladder to the large intestine or vice versa remains unclear. Statistically speaking, isn't it more probable that we are looking at the large intestine?
We are dealing with metastatic disease, which is inherently a complicating factor. Is there any other way to view it?
Hope is always a factor, even if we remain realistic. Let us hope the treatment proves effective enough to at least reach disease stagnation without further metastasis. One simply has to live day by day with a clear, steady head.

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Angela Wright’s colonoscopy came back clear, and the tumor markers are normal. We are heading to see the surgeon who handled the bladder procedure this coming Monday to get more clarity. Is this actually a positive sign? It is certainly a relief to know it isn't in the intestines.🎉

Kate Wells44 said:This report doesn't necessarily indicate metastatic disease. It simply fails to clarify whether the primary site is the bladder—where the biopsy was taken rather than through radical surgery—or if it originated in the colon and spread directly to the bladder based on the cellular appearance. A thorough imaging workup of the abdomen, pelvis, and chest is required. If those scans confirm the tumor is localized, radical surgery should be pursued.

Thanks. ☺ So, does this mean there might not be metastases yet? Does an okay abdominal CT imply that?

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Does anyone know if Dr. Simoncini's therapy actually yields results? I just received a recommendation from someone who sought treatment from him today.

I missed that. Thank you. He underwent bladder surgery—performed via catheter rather than an incision. Now that the results are in, it looks like a total bladder removal is likely on the horizon.

Much appreciated. Is there any additional information available regarding whether it is preferable to have the surgery here in Washington, D.C., or will the outcome remain the same regardless? Many thanks.

Rebecca Brooks19 said:Thanks for the quick reply. The CT scan came back clear; she’s scheduled for surgery now, so we shall see how it unfolds...

If the colonoscopy confirms the issue is in the large intestine, would they need to remove the bladder as well? Following her initial bladder surgery, the CT results were unremarkable.

Angela Wright said:It seems to have spread quite a bit, though whether it’s moving from the bladder to the colon or vice versa remains uncertain. Statistically speaking, the colon is the more likely culprit.
Given that we are dealing with metastatic disease, there is no denying the gravity of the situation.
Still, hope isn't entirely lost. We can only pray she responds well to treatment and reaches at least a state of stagnation without further metastasis. One simply has to take it one day at a time, with a clear head.

Thank you for the prompt reply. The CT scan came back clear; she’s headed into surgery now, and then we shall see...

Can anyone shed some light on these pathology results? We all know the news isn't good, but is there any glimmer of hope left?
The report describes fragments of the bladder wall where the muscle layer is largely obscured by tumor tissue. This tissue consists of irregular glandular formations lined with atypical cylindrical epithelium of moderate polymorphism, accompanied by a significant desmoplastic stromal reaction. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells test positive for CDX2 + CK20 and mostly for CK7, while remaining negative for HMWCK and GATA3, showing cytoplasmic and membranous staining for beta-catenin. The findings are consistent with a well-to-moderately differentiated enteric-type adenocarcinoma. While primary bladder adenocarcinoma is a differential diagnosis, the possibility of adenocarcinoma infiltration from the colon must be considered, necessitating further clinical investigation.

Angela Wright said:Without a pathology report, nobody can guarantee what they're looking at, though doctors rarely rush to a diagnosis based on a mere suspicion unless they're fairly certain it's benign.
Pain could also stem from things like arthritis, which isn't uncommon as people age.

I realize they can't just guess, but I lost my father to cancer. Now, it's the bone pain that really worries me. He usually deals with back pain, but lately, he's complaining that every single bone hurts. Thanks for the quick reply. 🙂

Hello. My mother’s cystoscopy revealed a bladder tumor. Her surgery is scheduled for August 8th, and her doctor is confident it is benign. However, she has been experiencing bone pain for a few days now. Is it possible this indicates metastasis, or could there be other causes? I have been reading far too much lately, and it is starting to take its toll on my sanity. 🙂

Has anyone visited the Phoenix Hall in a town like Austin, and what were your impressions?