While prostate and colon cancer CAN be related, neither is a common target
of spread of the other. CT scans looking for prostate cancer metastasis
discovered that I had no PC "mets" but DID have a colon mass that turned out
to be independent colon cancer, a rare type that can kill quickly by
destroying the liver (that's often how it's discovered). Because my PC led
to early discovery of my CC, several doctors have said my PC saved my life.
Time will tell, as both were aggressive enough that they are likely to
return. It's certain that my surgery legthened my life, even if just by
keeping my carcinoid colon cancer at bay, let alone any cancer development
delay, and the surgery was no big deal. It is easy for the doctors to
determine whether your problems are related because PC is PC even when it
appears in a lung or a toe. A rose is a rose is a rose, so to speak, even if
it's found in a bed of petunias. My colon cancer was also identifiable as a
"primary" cancer, meaning it is a source and not a "met" from somewhere
else.

If your uro doesn't notify you of your PSA results within 3-4 days of the
blood draw, call his office and ask for the result. With that apple in your
crotch and another in your colon, every week of delay may matter; if they
drag their feet, direct YOUR feet to another uro. You're in a race to
determine whether a) you have PC, b) prostate removal is your best option,
and c) whether both cancers can be removed in one surgery.

Think about that: One surgery to get rid of both cancers. Such a deal, IF
prostate surgery is appropriate in your case. As soon as my PC CT scan
discovered my colon cancer and it was too big to remove during a colonoscopy
(it was discomforting, but not uncomfortable, watching the doc try to cut
out a 3.6 cm colon tumor real time on the TEE VEE), I began searching for 1)
the best solution to the PC and ultimately 2) a surgical team willing and
able to remove both cancers simultaneously. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES: ONE
RECOVERY! Turns out that a university/VA team was not only willling but
EAGER to do both in one procedure, especially since the colon repair itself
takes very little time once the colon is exposed. The prostate guy cut a
longer opening than usual, removed the prostate, then "handed the knife to
the colon surgeon" so to speak, who did his thing and zipped me up.

Aside from your likelihood of a very advanced prostate problem, you're in a
hurry because your colon cancer is probably urgent, and you don't want to be
opened up twice when once will do. Get these docs in high gear, and get 'em
working together towards a prompt common solution IF it's feasible.

On the other hand ... maybe you don't want EITHER surgery if you do in fact
have advanced metastasized PC. You need two oncologists -- colon and uro --  
to get their heads together and determine your best route. Surgeons
specialize in cutting; oncologists can better evaluate the likely paths of
your cancer(s), and thus their priorities. Mine were both early enough --  
just barely -- that surgery was a no-brainer for EACH of them, let alone
both together. Either or both of yours could be a whole different ball game.
That's why you need data and advice from oncologists, not just uros and/or
surgeons. And it's why you are in a hurry.

I accelerated my treatment by several months by helping the various doctors
and labs and receptionists get their acts together. I'd set up appointments
close together, call receptionists before appts to make sure they had
everything they needed, hand-carry results if it helped speed things up,
inform all the above if my next appt was coming up quickly (same or next day
sometimes) so they were motivated to get to me quickly if they had any
options, and whenever it would help I made sure the people I was trying to
herd along knew I had two aggressive cancers in my belly. Playing my Gleason
8 (aggressive PC biopsy result) card knocked 2-3 months off my first VA uro
appt delay all my itself. If you let this process run at its own speed,
you're enhancing your risks of two separate and almost redundant surgeries
AND unnecessary cancer advancement.

I'm guessing you use finesse rather than brute force whether you're herding
cattle or 4-wheelers to do your bidding; now's the time to use those same
skills with doctors and labs and their staffs. As long as they perceive that
you're helping them rather than herding them, and as long as people
understand any urgency you occasionally mention if necessary, the medical
bureaucracy can be nudged into a full gallop or 18th gear fairly
effectively. The oncologists are the ones who determine your degree of
urgency; they can't complain if you reflect it back at 'em.

I.P.

God Bless YOU David.

I agree that your lifestyle may have been hard on the prostate...but one
thing at a time.

Your docs will take care of the colon...and then...you'll deal with the
rest, one thing at a time.

Maybe the pain is related to something that can be handled.

Try to get the best info that you can and ask as many questions as you
are able.

I, and everyone else wishes you the very best.

Keep us posted cowboy.  :-)

Ron B.

Chicago