In 1 way…only 1…I am thankful for Melanoma.
Because of Melanoma I attempted to get onto a clinical trial. The process of getting onto the trial were months of invasive tests. One was a Colonoscopy…my first Colonoscopy in November 2013.
I didn’t get onto the trial because they found more than 3 polyps during the procedure.
The drug Vemurafenib can cause polyps to grow in the colon (yes you read that right – a drug to treat Melanoma causes other medical issues…shock!)… because I had more than 3…it was deemed too risky to put me on the trial.
Having up to 3 isn’t totally uncommon…we all have funny growths on our insides.
What was unusual were the number of large serrated lesions they found.
Polyps stick out from the surface – a bit like mini mushrooms – these are common and many people have at least 1 or 2 and never have an issue with them. The serrated lesions are flat and line the surface of the Colon…they are often undetected & as a result are more problematic – if unremoved they have the potential to grow and spread and become cancer. In fact over 30% of Colon/Bowel cancers are caused by this type of growth.
My father had Bowel Cancer which spread to his liver…my Gastroenterologist (Dr Simon Leedham) is convinced there is a link between my Dad’s Cancer & the lesions in my colon. The Melanoma and lesions are linked too…both are Braf+.
The lesions that have been removed are not cancererous yet – thankfully – so they don’t have a mitotic rate. They just need to come out.
Yesterday was my 3rd Colonoscopy in 9 months.
The pain afterwards was excruciating. The nurses on the ward were babbling mother hens. “No you stay put chicky pea”…”you want more tea”…”biscuits…these ones yummy!”…”you must eat…you no had food for days”…They wouldn’t release me until my pain was manageable…and poor The Mr was sat in the waiting room for over 5 hours without a clue as to how I was!
I have to have another procedure in about 6 months time to get rid of 1 more and “check up” on the Colon from where the previous lesions were removed. They need to check because this particular type of lesion/polyp are 5 times more likely to be incompletely removed – they are often the same colour as the surrounding tissue. A dye is inserted underneath them to raise them from the surface & then they are effectively sliced off – but it is easy to not get all because by now the entire tissue is blue and it is impossible to detect good tissue from bad……you rely upon the skill, memory and capability of the hopefully excellent Surgeon.
The procedure is done.
I didn’t pass out this time. I have a very sore tummy. But it went well. Now we wait for the results.
Effectively over 1/3 of my Cecum – (see picture) –was covered in Large flat serrated lesions. Because I have so many of these serrated lesions in my Colon I have been diagnosed as having Serrated Polyposis Syndrome. I suppose I have Melanoma to thank for the fact these bad nasties were discovered…..but instead I have to come to terms with a second “diagnosis” in a year.
I was always the healthy one – the one that was NEVER poorly.
Now I am lying on the sofa, taking painkillers and feeling sorry for myself…not only do I have the rare “killer” form of Skin Cancer – Melanoma…but I also have a rare pre-cursor to bowel cancer…1 in every 3000 people have Serrated Polyposis Syndrome…(link)…of which I have been officially diagnosed.
Whether it is a sudden increase in tests or that 1 problematic change in cells triggers others – activates and speeds up issues that had previously been dormant…I am not alone….the team in Oxford are researching other Melanoma patients who also have issues with Polyps & lesions in their bowels.
Other contacts with Melanoma have been diagnosed with chronic diseases that “seem” unconnected.
Are they?