Diagnosis
Malignant neoplasm of the sigmoid colon. Status post-Hartmann’s procedure and six cycles of chemotherapy.
Patient:
Female, 35 years old, Kazakhstan
Physician:
Dr. Christian Müller, Chief Physician at the Department of Oncology and Hematology, Clinic Essen-Mitte
Oncologist’s Response — Dr. Christian Müller:
The patient was diagnosed with synchronous hepatic metastatic sigmoid colon carcinoma (cancer of the sigmoid colon that has spread to the liver). Following the surgical resection of the primary tumor, 6 cycles of palliative chemotherapy using the FOLFOX regimen were administered, partially in combination with targeted therapy drugs—Cetuximab or Panitumumab.
Regrettably, the results of the molecular pathological studies are missing. These specialized tests are essential for prescribing targeted medications such as Cetuximab and Panitumumab effectively and safely.
If a molecular pathological examination has not yet been performed, we will need to obtain the tissue blocks (biopsy samples) from the removed tumor to conduct a comprehensive molecular analysis.
Given that three months have elapsed since the initiation of chemotherapy and considering the patient’s poor tolerance to treatment, a follow-up CT scan of the abdomen and chest should be performed. This is particularly important because a chest CT was not included in the initial staging workup. Additionally, baseline data for tumor markers CEA and CA 19-9 are currently absent. These markers must be monitored dynamically, as they provide critical insights into the effectiveness of the treatment provided.
Further treatment recommendations can only be determined once we receive the molecular pathology results and the follow-up CT imaging.