Symptoms of Bowel, Intestinal Recurrence

This topic has 33 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 7 months ago by JenJen12.

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- September 14, 2012 at 7:00 pm
- Quote
JenJen12
Participant
Hey all,

I'm probably being paranoid but what are some of the symptoms or signs you have had if you had a melanoma recurrence in your intestines, colon etc?

Thanks!

JenJen

3a with recent pet/ct scan scare (other than that 3 .3 years NED)

Hey all,

I'm probably being paranoid but what are some of the symptoms or signs you have had if you had a melanoma recurrence in your intestines, colon etc?

Thanks!

JenJen

3a with recent pet/ct scan scare (other than that 3 .3 years NED)

Viewing 8 reply threads

Replies

- - September 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm
  - Quote
  Sherron
  Participant
  stomach pain, groin pain, and blood in stools. I pray it is not this….
  
  God Bless and Take Care,
  
  Sherron, wife to Jim FOREVER
  - September 14, 2012 at 11:16 pm
    
    Quote
    Erinmay22
    Participant
    
    LIke Sherron said – stomach cramping, could have diarrhea or constipation, blood in stools (although I never noticed blood but in May became very anemic).
    
    My CT scan shows thickening of the wall in the small intestine. Tried Zelboraf but didn't really have any effect on it. Seeing surgeon on Monday to discuss surgey option and then starting Ipi.
    
    Hope it's nothing!
    
    Erin
  - September 14, 2012 at 11:16 pm
    
    Quote
    Erinmay22
    Participant
    
    LIke Sherron said – stomach cramping, could have diarrhea or constipation, blood in stools (although I never noticed blood but in May became very anemic).
    
    My CT scan shows thickening of the wall in the small intestine. Tried Zelboraf but didn't really have any effect on it. Seeing surgeon on Monday to discuss surgey option and then starting Ipi.
    
    Hope it's nothing!
    
    Erin
  - September 14, 2012 at 11:16 pm
    
    Quote
    Erinmay22
    Participant
    
    LIke Sherron said – stomach cramping, could have diarrhea or constipation, blood in stools (although I never noticed blood but in May became very anemic).
    
    My CT scan shows thickening of the wall in the small intestine. Tried Zelboraf but didn't really have any effect on it. Seeing surgeon on Monday to discuss surgey option and then starting Ipi.
    
    Hope it's nothing!
    
    Erin
- - September 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm
  - Quote
  Sherron
  Participant
  stomach pain, groin pain, and blood in stools. I pray it is not this….
  
  God Bless and Take Care,
  
  Sherron, wife to Jim FOREVER
- - September 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm
  - Quote
  Sherron
  Participant
  stomach pain, groin pain, and blood in stools. I pray it is not this….
  
  God Bless and Take Care,
  
  Sherron, wife to Jim FOREVER
- - September 14, 2012 at 11:47 pm
  - Quote
  washoegal
  Participant
  Jen,
  
  You're right probably nothing. When was your last scan? You don't say how old you are in profile, when was your last colonoscopy? Intestinal polyps are not unusual, so don't think the very worse yet. But get to the appropriate doctor.
  
  Good luck,
  
  Mary
  
  Stage 3
- - September 14, 2012 at 11:47 pm
  - Quote
  washoegal
  Participant
  Jen,
  
  You're right probably nothing. When was your last scan? You don't say how old you are in profile, when was your last colonoscopy? Intestinal polyps are not unusual, so don't think the very worse yet. But get to the appropriate doctor.
  
  Good luck,
  
  Mary
  
  Stage 3
- - September 14, 2012 at 11:47 pm
  - Quote
  washoegal
  Participant
  Jen,
  
  You're right probably nothing. When was your last scan? You don't say how old you are in profile, when was your last colonoscopy? Intestinal polyps are not unusual, so don't think the very worse yet. But get to the appropriate doctor.
  
  Good luck,
  
  Mary
  
  Stage 3
- - September 15, 2012 at 12:04 am
  - Quote
  JenJen12
  Participant
  Hi, i'm 29 now. Diagnosed when i was 26 with on top of my left foot, 2.4 mm . Had a SNB, which showed scattered individual cells,no actual group of cells, followed my complete lymphnode dissection where no more nodes were found. Have had multiple scares but just had 3 years at NED. followed by a Pet/ct.
  
  PetCT came back as follows: In right hemisphere there is a new 2.6 x 1.5 cm focal region of FDG uptake with a maximum suv of 5.0. On the CT portion of the exam there is no definitive underlying mass. Recommend diagnostic examination of pelvis with contrast enhanced MRI or CT. No other evdience of anything else in rest of body.
  
  They followed this up with a MRI of Abdomen/Pelvis with adn without contrast the next day. Here are the results: All organs unremarkable. No mass or fluid collection in the abdomen. No adenopathy. The major vascular structures are unremarkable. Moderate stool seen throughout colon. MR evaluation of bowel otherwise unremarkable.
  
  Pelvis: Ureters, bladder, vagina, uterus and left ovary are unremarkable. The right ovary contains 2 cysts with a uniform enhancing rim, consistent with a physiologic corpus luteum. The righ tovary is otherwise unremarkable. A small amount of fre fluid is present in pelvis. No adenopathy or mass is seen in pelvis. The bowel segments in the pelvis are unremarkable. The abnormal uptake on the recent PET scan correlates grossly with the right ovary on todays study.
  
  IMPRESSION:
  
  1. No mass or adenopathy in teh area of the recent abnormal PET uptake in the right pelvis. No evidence of metastasis in the abdomen or pelvis.
  
  2. The previous PET abnormality may have been related to normal bowel activity. Note that corpus luteum cysts, as seen on this patient's right ovary, can occasionally be associated with false positives on PET scan, as well.
  
  3. Small nonspecific pelvic free fluid is most likely physiologic.
  
  Soo….. this is what the finding came to read. This was 3 weeks ago. I just got back from trip to Europe where i didnt have that many bowel movements..i never do when i travel. Sorry if this is TMI but i'm a little worried. I came back and started back in my routine and to eat normally. Last Sunday i had a bad bout of diaherra followed by this past week of some constipation, gas and bloating. It could be just me eating normal food again and my body adjusting, but because of this pet/ct i am still nervous.
  
  Those are my only symptoms above, no bloody stools or pain so far,,just minor discomfort. And i jsut had labs which were normal too. Should i ask to get another test? if so , which one?
  
  Sorry for the long post!
  
  Jenjen 3a
- - September 15, 2012 at 12:04 am
  - Quote
  JenJen12
  Participant
  Hi, i'm 29 now. Diagnosed when i was 26 with on top of my left foot, 2.4 mm . Had a SNB, which showed scattered individual cells,no actual group of cells, followed my complete lymphnode dissection where no more nodes were found. Have had multiple scares but just had 3 years at NED. followed by a Pet/ct.
  
  PetCT came back as follows: In right hemisphere there is a new 2.6 x 1.5 cm focal region of FDG uptake with a maximum suv of 5.0. On the CT portion of the exam there is no definitive underlying mass. Recommend diagnostic examination of pelvis with contrast enhanced MRI or CT. No other evdience of anything else in rest of body.
  
  They followed this up with a MRI of Abdomen/Pelvis with adn without contrast the next day. Here are the results: All organs unremarkable. No mass or fluid collection in the abdomen. No adenopathy. The major vascular structures are unremarkable. Moderate stool seen throughout colon. MR evaluation of bowel otherwise unremarkable.
  
  Pelvis: Ureters, bladder, vagina, uterus and left ovary are unremarkable. The right ovary contains 2 cysts with a uniform enhancing rim, consistent with a physiologic corpus luteum. The righ tovary is otherwise unremarkable. A small amount of fre fluid is present in pelvis. No adenopathy or mass is seen in pelvis. The bowel segments in the pelvis are unremarkable. The abnormal uptake on the recent PET scan correlates grossly with the right ovary on todays study.
  
  IMPRESSION:
  
  1. No mass or adenopathy in teh area of the recent abnormal PET uptake in the right pelvis. No evidence of metastasis in the abdomen or pelvis.
  
  2. The previous PET abnormality may have been related to normal bowel activity. Note that corpus luteum cysts, as seen on this patient's right ovary, can occasionally be associated with false positives on PET scan, as well.
  
  3. Small nonspecific pelvic free fluid is most likely physiologic.
  
  Soo….. this is what the finding came to read. This was 3 weeks ago. I just got back from trip to Europe where i didnt have that many bowel movements..i never do when i travel. Sorry if this is TMI but i'm a little worried. I came back and started back in my routine and to eat normally. Last Sunday i had a bad bout of diaherra followed by this past week of some constipation, gas and bloating. It could be just me eating normal food again and my body adjusting, but because of this pet/ct i am still nervous.
  
  Those are my only symptoms above, no bloody stools or pain so far,,just minor discomfort. And i jsut had labs which were normal too. Should i ask to get another test? if so , which one?
  
  Sorry for the long post!
  
  Jenjen 3a
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:46 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    You've had a PET/CT and an MRI. What other scans/tests do you think you need? I'm not stage III/IV, but I think my doc's rule is good advice. Give yourself a period of time. Since you're just starting back on a new eating routine, wouldn't it make sense to give yourself a couple of weeks to see if everything normalizes? Your scans were normal and showed nothing of interest. PETS are notorious for false positives and two posibilities were given (both benign). Set a deadline – say 2 or 3 weeks. See if things don't improve in that time. If they don't, then you can justify to your docs that there is something going on and go from there. But if things resolve (likely), then you move on. Sometimes, the obvious is the right solution.
    
    Just my 2 cents.
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:46 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    You've had a PET/CT and an MRI. What other scans/tests do you think you need? I'm not stage III/IV, but I think my doc's rule is good advice. Give yourself a period of time. Since you're just starting back on a new eating routine, wouldn't it make sense to give yourself a couple of weeks to see if everything normalizes? Your scans were normal and showed nothing of interest. PETS are notorious for false positives and two posibilities were given (both benign). Set a deadline – say 2 or 3 weeks. See if things don't improve in that time. If they don't, then you can justify to your docs that there is something going on and go from there. But if things resolve (likely), then you move on. Sometimes, the obvious is the right solution.
    
    Just my 2 cents.
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:49 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Yeah..i agree..just the SUV on the pet seemed a bit high..so it just scared me. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop….
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:49 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Yeah..i agree..just the SUV on the pet seemed a bit high..so it just scared me. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop….
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:49 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Yeah..i agree..just the SUV on the pet seemed a bit high..so it just scared me. Always waiting for the other shoe to drop….
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:03 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    Well THAT will really help your digestion. Clean you out and go from there. I still think eating a normal diet and then re-evaluating in a reasonable time frame makes more sense than irritating your bowels more at this point. You know, I had rectal bleeding and cramps one day – incredibly bad ones. Ended up in the ER where they confirmed blood. Did a "clean-out" that night and colonoscopy the next day. The colonoscopy found absolutely NOTHING. It's never happened again and had my SIL not had a perforated bowel 6 months earlier, I would have followed my own advice and waiting for at least several days to see if things resolved.
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:03 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    Well THAT will really help your digestion. Clean you out and go from there. I still think eating a normal diet and then re-evaluating in a reasonable time frame makes more sense than irritating your bowels more at this point. You know, I had rectal bleeding and cramps one day – incredibly bad ones. Ended up in the ER where they confirmed blood. Did a "clean-out" that night and colonoscopy the next day. The colonoscopy found absolutely NOTHING. It's never happened again and had my SIL not had a perforated bowel 6 months earlier, I would have followed my own advice and waiting for at least several days to see if things resolved.
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:03 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    Well THAT will really help your digestion. Clean you out and go from there. I still think eating a normal diet and then re-evaluating in a reasonable time frame makes more sense than irritating your bowels more at this point. You know, I had rectal bleeding and cramps one day – incredibly bad ones. Ended up in the ER where they confirmed blood. Did a "clean-out" that night and colonoscopy the next day. The colonoscopy found absolutely NOTHING. It's never happened again and had my SIL not had a perforated bowel 6 months earlier, I would have followed my own advice and waiting for at least several days to see if things resolved.
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:51 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    And Janner..the test i was thinking of was the one where you drink the barium just because i know mri's and pet/cts dont get a really clear view of the bowels..
  - September 15, 2012 at 1:46 am
    
    Quote
    Janner
    Participant
    
    You've had a PET/CT and an MRI. What other scans/tests do you think you need? I'm not stage III/IV, but I think my doc's rule is good advice. Give yourself a period of time. Since you're just starting back on a new eating routine, wouldn't it make sense to give yourself a couple of weeks to see if everything normalizes? Your scans were normal and showed nothing of interest. PETS are notorious for false positives and two posibilities were given (both benign). Set a deadline – say 2 or 3 weeks. See if things don't improve in that time. If they don't, then you can justify to your docs that there is something going on and go from there. But if things resolve (likely), then you move on. Sometimes, the obvious is the right solution.
    
    Just my 2 cents.
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:57 am
    
    Quote
    washoegal
    Participant
    
    Jen,
    
    I do the exact same thing when I travel….what a pain. It takes me about 2-3 weeks to become "normal" again. I would try eating a mild diet for a few weeks, nothing spicy (I'm a spice nut) and keep away from small seeds – in other word be kind to you gut. If you don't settle down in another couple of weeks I'd go see an internist. I really don't think it's Mel but you may have picked something up or may have just an irritated bowel.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Mary
    
    P.S.
    
    I have found that if I eat a half of a bran muffin daily when I travel (can't always find them) I can stay regular (or almost).
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:57 am
    
    Quote
    washoegal
    Participant
    
    Jen,
    
    I do the exact same thing when I travel….what a pain. It takes me about 2-3 weeks to become "normal" again. I would try eating a mild diet for a few weeks, nothing spicy (I'm a spice nut) and keep away from small seeds – in other word be kind to you gut. If you don't settle down in another couple of weeks I'd go see an internist. I really don't think it's Mel but you may have picked something up or may have just an irritated bowel.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Mary
    
    P.S.
    
    I have found that if I eat a half of a bran muffin daily when I travel (can't always find them) I can stay regular (or almost).
  - September 15, 2012 at 3:58 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Thanks mary! Yeah Europe had a ton of meat, cheese, and white bread..not my usual diet..eek! Thanks for the message 🙂
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 3:58 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Thanks mary! Yeah Europe had a ton of meat, cheese, and white bread..not my usual diet..eek! Thanks for the message 🙂
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 3:58 am
    
    Quote
    JenJen12
    Participant
    
    Thanks mary! Yeah Europe had a ton of meat, cheese, and white bread..not my usual diet..eek! Thanks for the message 🙂
    
    Jen
  - September 15, 2012 at 2:57 am
    
    Quote
    washoegal
    Participant
    
    Jen,
    
    I do the exact same thing when I travel….what a pain. It takes me about 2-3 weeks to become "normal" again. I would try eating a mild diet for a few weeks, nothing spicy (I'm a spice nut) and keep away from small seeds – in other word be kind to you gut. If you don't settle down in another couple of weeks I'd go see an internist. I really don't think it's Mel but you may have picked something up or may have just an irritated bowel.
    
    Good Luck,
    
    Mary
    
    P.S.
    
    I have found that if I eat a half of a bran muffin daily when I travel (can't always find them) I can stay regular (or almost).
- - September 15, 2012 at 12:04 am
  - Quote
  JenJen12
  Participant
  Hi, i'm 29 now. Diagnosed when i was 26 with on top of my left foot, 2.4 mm . Had a SNB, which showed scattered individual cells,no actual group of cells, followed my complete lymphnode dissection where no more nodes were found. Have had multiple scares but just had 3 years at NED. followed by a Pet/ct.
  
  PetCT came back as follows: In right hemisphere there is a new 2.6 x 1.5 cm focal region of FDG uptake with a maximum suv of 5.0. On the CT portion of the exam there is no definitive underlying mass. Recommend diagnostic examination of pelvis with contrast enhanced MRI or CT. No other evdience of anything else in rest of body.
  
  They followed this up with a MRI of Abdomen/Pelvis with adn without contrast the next day. Here are the results: All organs unremarkable. No mass or fluid collection in the abdomen. No adenopathy. The major vascular structures are unremarkable. Moderate stool seen throughout colon. MR evaluation of bowel otherwise unremarkable.
  
  Pelvis: Ureters, bladder, vagina, uterus and left ovary are unremarkable. The right ovary contains 2 cysts with a uniform enhancing rim, consistent with a physiologic corpus luteum. The righ tovary is otherwise unremarkable. A small amount of fre fluid is present in pelvis. No adenopathy or mass is seen in pelvis. The bowel segments in the pelvis are unremarkable. The abnormal uptake on the recent PET scan correlates grossly with the right ovary on todays study.
  
  IMPRESSION:
  
  1. No mass or adenopathy in teh area of the recent abnormal PET uptake in the right pelvis. No evidence of metastasis in the abdomen or pelvis.
  
  2. The previous PET abnormality may have been related to normal bowel activity. Note that corpus luteum cysts, as seen on this patient's right ovary, can occasionally be associated with false positives on PET scan, as well.
  
  3. Small nonspecific pelvic free fluid is most likely physiologic.
  
  Soo….. this is what the finding came to read. This was 3 weeks ago. I just got back from trip to Europe where i didnt have that many bowel movements..i never do when i travel. Sorry if this is TMI but i'm a little worried. I came back and started back in my routine and to eat normally. Last Sunday i had a bad bout of diaherra followed by this past week of some constipation, gas and bloating. It could be just me eating normal food again and my body adjusting, but because of this pet/ct i am still nervous.
  
  Those are my only symptoms above, no bloody stools or pain so far,,just minor discomfort. And i jsut had labs which were normal too. Should i ask to get another test? if so , which one?
  
  Sorry for the long post!
  
  Jenjen 3a