Our Summary
A 67-year-old woman had a growth removed from her colon which was identified as a form of cancer. The cancer was found to have invaded 2000 micrometers into the surrounding tissue. Scans showed a swollen lymph node and a mass in the area in front of her tailbone. The mass was found to be a multi-chambered cyst. After being diagnosed with colon cancer and a tailgut cyst, she underwent a procedure to remove both at the same time using a laparoscopic method, which is a type of minimally invasive surgery. The cancer was at an early stage but had spread to one lymph node and had not spread to other areas of the body. The cyst was found to be non-cancerous and was completely removed. Two years and four months later, the patient is doing well and the cancer has not come back.
FAQs
- What is adenocarcinoma and how was it diagnosed in the patient?
- What is a tailgut cyst and how was it detected in this case?
- How was the laparoscopic resection performed and what were the findings of the surgery?
Doctor’s Tip
One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about tumor resection is to follow all post-operative care instructions carefully, including taking prescribed medications, attending follow-up appointments, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to support recovery and reduce the risk of recurrence. It is also important to report any unusual symptoms or changes in health to your healthcare provider promptly.
Suitable For
Patients who are typically recommended tumor resection include those with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, especially if the tumor has invaded surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. In this case, the patient had descending colon cancer with lymph node involvement, making resection necessary for treatment. Additionally, patients with other types of tumors or cystic lesions that are causing symptoms or have the potential for malignancy may also be recommended for resection. In this case, the patient had a tailgut cyst that was found to be nonmalignant but was still removed to prevent future complications. Ultimately, the decision to recommend tumor resection will depend on the individual patient’s specific diagnosis and overall health status.
Timeline
- Week 1: Patient experiences symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and possibly weight loss, prompting them to seek medical attention.
- Week 2-3: Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy, CT scans, and MRI to determine the location and nature of the tumor.
- Week 4-5: Patient is diagnosed with descending colon cancer and tailgut cyst, and a treatment plan is developed.
- Week 6-7: Patient undergoes synchronous laparoscopic resection to remove both the colon cancer and tailgut cyst.
- Week 8-9: Pathology report confirms the diagnosis of colon cancer as pT1bN1M0, pStage IIIa, and the tailgut cyst as nonmalignant with negative surgical margins.
- Month 1-12: Patient undergoes regular follow-up appointments and scans to monitor for recurrence.
- Month 28: Patient is doing well without any signs of recurrence.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What is the purpose of tumor resection in my case?
- What are the risks and potential complications associated with tumor resection?
- What is the expected recovery time following tumor resection?
- Will I need any additional treatments after tumor resection, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy?
- What are the chances of the tumor recurring after resection?
- Will there be any long-term side effects or limitations following tumor resection?
- Is laparoscopic resection the best approach for my specific situation?
- What is the stage and grade of the tumor being resected?
- Will the tumor resection affect my bowel function or quality of life in any way?
- How frequently will I need follow-up appointments or monitoring after tumor resection?
Reference
Authors: Inada R, Watanabe A, Toshima T, Katsura Y, Sato T, Sui K, Oishi K, Okabayashi T, Ozaki K, Shibuya Y, Matsumoto M, Iwata J. Journal: Acta Med Okayama. 2021 Aug;75(4):529-532. doi: 10.18926/AMO/62407. PMID: 34511622