Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), Stomach Cancer Questions
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How big are the tumors that have been found in other peeps? What happened after they found your tumor?
Asked by Georgiagal on Friday, November 11, 2011
How big are the tumors that have been found in other peeps? What happened after they found your tumor?
I just found out about mine on 11/7/11 and still have not heard from the doctor about what happens next!
11 Answers from the Community
danellsar
When my husband was diagnosed, the esophageal (primary) tumor was 90% blocking the esophagus. He's still able to eat (though they said he shouldn't be). He also had 2 tumors in the stomach and several in the liver. Since then, with chemo and radiation, some have shrunk and some have grown. Sorry I don't know exact sizes.
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over 9 years agoGeorgiagal
Thanks Danellsar. The more info I get the better I feel. Take care of that husband!!
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over 9 years agoCarol55
Do you have additional testing ordered? Are you waiting to see a surgeon or oncologist next? Are you waiting for test results? If not, you need to be active in your pursuit of information. Call the nurse of the doctor that diagnosed your tumor and ask for an explanation for what is to happen next. Ask about timelines. Ask about how quickly things will move. Depending on the type of tumor things could move quickly or slowly. The scheduler for that office might also have some information on whether you have additional appointments set up or if they are waiting to hear back from other offices. These are reasonable questions...please call and ask and don't sit and worry for days waiting for information. It's also nice to take a "note-taker" with you to appointments or have someone else on the line when you call. Once a patient hears the word tumor, sometimes our brain gets stuck on that word and we hear little else. Make sure you get info. You are entitled to it. I wish you well.
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over 9 years agomspinkladybug
a friend had one that was 17 cnm... it was sticking out of her breast yet and mamo could not see it..
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over 9 years agomysecondchance
I had three fairly large tumors. I can't really visualize centimeters so I figured out in inches that the largest one was about the size of a box of rice-a-roni. (I am a visual person.) I never figured out the other two.
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over 9 years agoGeorgiagal
Carol, I'm waiting on results from biopsies for Celiac's. He said nothing about biopsies for or around the tumor. I have a call in for a second opinion and should be calling me for an appointment on Monday. The waiting and unknown is hard. I just keep staying busy and not think about it.
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over 9 years agodanellsar
Georgia- If you had an endoscopy (I think you said you did) where they discovered the tumor, then chances are very high they took a biopsy at that time and sent it for pathology. That would be the standard of care, since you are already having the test, to take the biopsies.
For my husband, after his biopsy, we met with oncology and then had a number of further tests (blood test, another CT scan, and finally a PET scan) before beginning treatment. The PET scan is considered the most telling as it shows exactly where and how wide spread the cancer is. Second opinions are great.
Waiting is the hardest part!! When we were waiting for the results of his PET to see if the first rounds of chemo were working, he didn't sleep for about 2 days due to anxiety. I hope you have some folks around to hold you tight and help you wait.
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over 9 years agoJanice
Follow the above advice. Call the office, talk to a nurse or leave a message for the doctor to call you. You need to be pro-active. As danellsar said, waiting is the hardest part. If there is a plan in place it makes it easier.
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over 9 years agoashlead
Not sure the size of mine, but it was originally found by my DENTIST! It was the first time I going in about 8 years, and during the x-ray there was a suspicious mass on my left mandible. Long story short, I had a biopsy done (7-7-11), it came up inconclusive. Then they decided to do surgery instead of another biopsy (9-21-11), that is when it came up as a malignant osteosrcoma (bone cancer). During surgery they removed the tumor and the affected bone, plus some, and replaced it with my right fibula (the smaller, non-weight bearing bone in the leg). I lost two molars out of it, and because the tumor was so far back, I no longer have the joint on that side. X-rays of my new jaw are pretty sweet though! ;)
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over 9 years agoakristine
Mine was pressing against my sciatic nerve and a few important organs like my bladder, kidneys and rectum. When removed, the surgeon took it out in thirds and it was the size of a football.
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about 9 years agoPerryLowell
Mine was rectal, and small, about 3cm. It was surgically removed and I was put on Gleevec for at least 3 years or until it recurs.
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