cancer cells in the intestines , what does that mean?

Question

does anyone have that answer , how dangerous is it?

Answer 1

start drinking aloe vera juice . I had barretts esphogas a precancerous condition . Barretts is never ever supposed to go away . Mine did .

Folow your doctors guidelines

Answer 2

Obciously cancer can be won or lost. It depends on how many cancer cells and how intense they are.

Answer 3

Not good. Follow closely.

Answer 4

you be in deep poop. See md quick, set up treatment or lest make arrangements for your internment.

Answer 5

good question!!lol

Answer 6

Hi: From the information listed below it sounds to me that if the cancer is just in the intestines that it is Localized...(hopefully, but since I am not a physician, I suggest that follow-up with a professional be done immediately if you have not done so already). It isn't as hopeless as you may think...

Stages of Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors



* After a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the stomach and intestines or to other parts of the body.
* Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are grouped for treatment based on where they are in the body.
o Localized
o Regional
o Metastatic



After a gastrointestinal carcinoid tumor has been diagnosed, tests are done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the stomach and intestines or to other parts of the body.

Staging is the process used to find out how far the cancer has spread. The information gathered from the staging process determines the stage of the disease. There are no standard stages for gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors. In order to plan treatment, it is important to know the extent of the disease and whether the tumor can be removed by surgery. The following tests and procedures may be used:

* Gastrointestinal endoscopy: A procedure to look inside the gastrointestinal tract for abnormal areas or cancer. An endoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the mouth and esophagus into the stomach and first part of the small intestine. Also, a colonoscope (a thin, lighted tube) is inserted through the rectum into the colon (large intestine); this is called a colonoscopy.
* CT scan (CAT scan): A procedure that makes a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles. The pictures are made by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the organs or tissues show up more clearly. This procedure is also called computed tomography, computerized tomography, or computerized axial tomography.
* Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS): A type of radionuclide scan used to find carcinoid tumors. In SRS, radioactive octreotide, a drug similar to somatostatin, is injected into a vein and travels through the bloodstream. The radioactive octreotide attaches to carcinoid tumor cells that have somatostatin receptors. A radiation-measuring device detects the radioactive material, showing where the carcinoid tumor cells are in the body. This procedure is also called an octreotide scan.
* Biopsy: The removal of cells or tissues so they can be viewed under a microscope to check for signs of cancer. Tissue samples may be taken during endoscopy and colonoscopy.
* Angiogram: A procedure to look at blood vessels and the flow of blood. A contrast dye is injected into the blood vessel. As the contrast dye moves through the blood vessel, x-rays are taken to see if there are any blockages.
* PET scan (positron emission tomography scan): A procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body. A small amount of radionuclide glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein. The PET scanner rotates around the body and makes a picture of where glucose is being used in the body. Malignant tumor cells show up brighter in the picture because they are more active and take up more glucose than normal cells.
* X-ray of the abdomen: An x-ray of the organs and tissues inside the abdomen. An x-ray is a type of energy beam that can go through the body and onto film, making a picture of areas inside the body.

Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are grouped for treatment based on where they are in the body.

Localized

Cancer is found in the appendix, colon, rectum, small intestine, and/or stomach only.

Regional

Cancer has spread from the appendix, colon, rectum, stomach, and/or small intestine to nearby tissues or lymph nodes.

Metastatic

Cancer has spread to other parts of the body.


Glossary Terms
abdomen (AB-do-men)

The area of the body that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs.

abnormal

Not normal. An abnormal lesion or growth may be cancerous, premalignant (likely to become cancer), or benign.

angiogram (AN-jee-o-gram)

An x-ray of blood vessels; the person receives an injection of dye to outline the vessels on the x-ray.

appendix

A small, fingerlike pouch that sticks out from the cecum (the first part of the large intestine near the end of the small intestine).

biopsy (BY-op-see)

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist. The pathologist may study the tissue under a microscope or perform other tests on the cells or tissue. When only a sample of tissue is removed, the procedure is called an incisional biopsy. When an entire lump or suspicious area is removed, the procedure is called an excisional biopsy. When a sample of tissue or fluid is removed with a needle, the procedure is called a needle biopsy, core biopsy, or fine-needle aspiration.

blood

A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.

blood vessel

A tube through which the blood circulates in the body. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins.

cancer

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.

carcinoid (KAR-sin-oyd)

A slow-growing type of tumor usually found in the gastrointestinal system (most often in the appendix), and sometimes in the lungs or other sites. Carcinoid tumors may spread to the liver or other sites in the body, and they may secrete substances such as serotonin or prostaglandins, causing carcinoid syndrome.

cell

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

colon (KO-lun)

The longest part of the large intestine, which is a tube-like organ connected to the small intestine at one end and the anus at the other. The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus.

colonoscope (koh-LAH-noh-SKOPE)

A thin, tube-like instrument used to examine the inside of the colon. A colonoscope has a light and a lens for viewing and may have a tool to remove tissue.

colonoscopy (KOH-luh-NOSS-koh-pee)

Examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, inserted into the rectum. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

CT scan

Computed tomography scan. A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles; the pictures are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. Also called computerized tomography and computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan.

endoscope (EN-doh-SKOPE)

A thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body. An endoscope has a light and a lens for viewing and may have a tool to remove tissue.

endoscopy (en-DOSS-koh-pee)

A procedure that uses an endoscope to examine the inside of the body. An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens for viewing. It may also have a tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for signs of disease.

esophagus (ee-SOF-uh-gus)

The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.

gastrointestinal (GAS-tro-in-TES-tih-nul)

GI. Refers to the stomach and intestines.

gastrointestinal tract (GAS-tro-in-TES-tih-nul)

The stomach and intestines.

glucose

A type of sugar; the chief source of energy for living organisms.

injection

Use of a syringe and needle to push fluids or drugs into the body; often called a "shot."

lymph node (limf node)

A rounded mass of lymphatic tissue that is surrounded by a capsule of connective tissue. Lymph nodes filter lymph (lymphatic fluid), and they store lymphocytes (white blood cells). They are located along lymphatic vessels. Also called a lymph gland.

malignant (ma-LIG-nant)

Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

octreotide

A drug similar to the naturally occurring growth hormone inhibitor somatostatin. Octreotide is used to treat diarrhea and flushing associated with certain types of tumors.

organ

A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.

PET scan

Positron emission tomography scan. A procedure in which a small amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) is injected into a vein, and a scanner is used to make detailed, computerized pictures of areas inside the body where the glucose is used. Because cancer cells often use more glucose than normal cells, the pictures can be used to find cancer cells in the body.

radioactive (RAY-dee-o-AK-tiv)

Giving off radiation.

radionuclide scanning (RAY-dee-oh-NOO-klide)

A test that produces pictures (scans) of internal parts of the body. The person is given an injection or swallows a small amount of radioactive material; a machine called a scanner then measures the radioactivity in certain organs.

receptor

A molecule inside or on the surface of a cell that binds to a specific substance and causes a specific physiologic effect in the cell.

rectum

The last several inches of the large intestine. The rectum ends at the anus.

small intestine (in-TES-tin)

The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine.

stage

The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

staging (STAY-jing)

Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.

stomach

An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid.

surgery (SER-juh-ree)

A procedure to remove or repair a part of the body or to find out whether disease is present. An operation.

tissue (TISH-oo)

A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.

tumor (TOO-mer)

An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancerous), or malignant (cancerous). Also called neoplasm.

x-ray

A type of high-energy radiation. In low doses, x-rays are used to diagnose diseases by making pictures of the inside of the body. In high doses, x-rays are used to treat cancer.