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I'm confused about staging for rectal cancer. My sister has had stage IV rectal cancer for about 5 years now. My other sister, who is a new nurse, just told me that that doesn't necessarily mean it had spread outside of the area, just because it is stage IV, and said I shouldn't believe everything I read on the internet. I thought that stage IV did mean a spread to other organs/tissues.
Unfortunately, after being in the hospital for a month, my sister just found out that her cancer came back and is in her stomach. They aren't letting her leave the hospital because she has an infection in her stomach. Along with being confused about the initial staging, I'm trying to understand her prognosis at this time. She doesn't talk about it and doesn't really even talk much to anyone.now.
I've heard that rectal cancer normally might spread to the liver or lungs. Is the stomach a normal place to metastasis to? I wish there was something that I could do for her.View Thread

patriciasquest posted: Hi,My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer approx. 4 years ago. At the time they said she probably had it for the past10 years. She has been a nurse with the VA for the last 30 years. I
don't understand why she waited so long to get checked out. She currently has a colostomy bag, although she has never said anything about it spreading to other areas. If it is stage 4, would it have to have spread?
My mother's family is filled with various cancer death's; however, that is not what she died from.
After my sister was diagnosed, I had a colonoscopy done and was told it was okay. (I am 52). Would I have a higher chance of any cancer, or is colon cancer the one I watch for?
I am also supposed to have my gallbladder out soon, and read that that raises the risk for colon cancer. Is there any truth to that?
Thanks for any response.
PatriciaView Thread

My sister was diagnosed with stage 4 rectal cancer approx. 4 years ago. At the time they said she probably had it for the past 10 years. She has been a nurse with the VA for the last 30 years , so I have a hard time understanding why she waited so long to get checked out. She currently has a colostomy bag, although she has never said anything about it spreading to other areas. If it is stage 4, would it have to have spread?
My mother's family is filled with various cancer death's; however, that is not what she died from.
I had a colonoscopy done about a year and a half ago, and was told it was okay. (I am 52). Would I have a higher chance of any cancer, or is colon cancer the one I watch for?
I am also supposed to have my gallbladder out soon, and read that that raises the risk for colon cancer. Is there any truth to that?
Thanks for any response.
PatriciaView Thread
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