Colorectal Cancer: Part 1: Surgery, chemo and chemo. Where is the cure?

Rose, 62 years old, had been having heart problems for the past 3 years. She is currently on heart medication. About 2 years ago, Rose was not able to move her bowels for 5 days. She was admitted into a hospital in Medan. Indonesia.

A CT scan indicated a mass in the sigmoid colon and multiple adenopathy.  A biopsy confirmed malignant metastatic adenocarcinoma.

1. Rose underwent an operation, the cancerous colon removed, and was fitted with a colostomy bag.

Histology report indicated: Low grade adenocarcinoma of colon-rectum.

• After the surgery, Rose underwent the following treatments.
• Chemotherapy
• Oral drug with Intacape (or Xeloda)
• Immunotherapy (with Avastin)
• Radiotherapy

Rose had her chemo treatment in Medan. She received the following:

Cycle 1 – 29 Aug 2022: Oxaliplatin injection + Intacape.

Cycle 2 – 19 Sep 22:     Oxaliplatin injection +  Intacape.

Cycle 3 – 14 Oct 22:      Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 4 – 3 Nov 22:       Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 5 – 23 Nov 22:     Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 6 – 20 Dec 22:     Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 7 – 13 Jan 23:      Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 8 – 24 Mar 23:    Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 9 – 11 May 23:    Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 10 – 20 Apr 23:   Oxaliplatin injection.

Cycle 11 – 5 Oct 23:      Avastin

According to the Kartu Kendali Kemoterapi (Chemotherapy Record Card), Rose received 5 more chemo injections from 13 November 2023 to 11 January 2024. The drugs used were:

1. Uracil
2. Iritero (or Irinocetan)
3. Leucovarin
4. Bevagen (or Avastin).

Since these treatments did not show improvement, Rose decided to come to Penang for further treatment.

1. A CT scan on 22 January 2024 done at a private hospital indicated:
2. Hypodense cystic lesion in right liver suspicious of post treatment changes, residual disease or tumour.
3. Herniation of bowel loops into left lumbar.
4. Previous rectosigmoid surgery with stoma seen in left lumbar region.

• Rose underwent two cycles of chemotherapy in Penang, in January and February 2024.  The drugs used were: Irinotecan and the oral drug, TS-1 (instead of Xeloda as in the previous treatment).
• The cost of the first visit in January 2024 was RM4,917.55
• The cost of the second visit in February 2024 was RM5,170.25
• The following are 2 blood test results done on January and February 2024.

	22 Jan 2024	21 Feb 2024
CEA	20.1 High	15.9 High
Neutrophils	4.1	2.4 Low
Lymphocytes	1.7 Low	1.4 Low
Red blood cell count	2.89 Low	2.64 Low
Haemoglobin	10.5 Low	10.4 Low
Platelet count	149   Low	148 Low

How did Rose get to know CA Care?

While in Penang, Rose and her daughter went to a pharmacy store to buy some medications. While in the shop, they met Jaya (not real name) and his wife. This couple is also from Indonesia. Jaya shared his cancer experience with them. Eventually, Jaya recommended that Rose come to seek our help!

Who is Jaya?  He is our patient! Jaya was also diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent an operation in October 2014. After surgery, he received 2 cycles of chemotherapy with oxaliplatin + Leucovarin + 5-FU.

Jaya developed serious infection. He was rushed to Singapore and was hospitalised for 17 days. While in the hospital he remained unconscious for 3 days. The doctor had asked the family members to “get ready.” Fortunately, Jaya recovered from this ordeal.

Jaya refused further medical treatment –  no more chemo! Jaya and his wife came to seek our help and was started on our herbs. He was told to take care of his diet. It has been almost 10 years and Jaya is very much alive and kicking! More of his story below:

Colon Cancer: My Chemo Experience

A Tale of Two Patients: Alive and healthy — miraculous healing or fluke shot?

Questions to Ask

1. Rose did what her doctors in Medan wanted her to do. She went through surgery and 11 + 5 cycles of chemotherapy. Did these treatments cure her? Unfortunately, NO. She ended up with a bald head, dark palms and feet.

• What is more disappointing is that CT scan on 22 January 2024 showed there is a cystic lesion in her right liver. According to the report it could be due to post treatment changes, residual disease or tumour. Does this mean that the treatment causes metastasis to the liver?

• No satisfied with the treatment in Medan, Rose came to Penang for more chemotherapy. Did the treatment help her? It is too early to say. After all, she had just received 2 cycles of chemo. But what is most baffling is that the chemo-drugs used were Irinotecan and TS-1.

Rose just had 5 cycles of Iritero – that is Irinotecan! In Penang she was given more of the same stuff. What is the whole idea? What can you expect from this treatment?

Rose was on Xeloda during her treatment in Medan. In Penang, she was given TS-1, another oral drug. Can TS-1 be better than the oral Xeloda?  Agreed, currently the popularity of Xeloda is fading and TS-1 is starting to “shine” as of now.

Let me end with this quotation.