Hi, my friend was diagnosed with colorectal cancer 2 months ago, recently changed to melanoma colorectal cancer, and is on her last week of treatment. She was doing ok but in the past 2 weeks she has developed what looks like a very swollen stomach that is very hard to the touch. They drained it partialy from one side once but it is growing again. Supossedly the doctor dosnt know whats causing it? What could be causing it?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large bowel which is usually of adenocarcinoma type. Melanoma colorectal cancer is a rare type that is associated with pigment forming cancer of the colon. This is an aggressive cancer and can spread quickly to other parts of the body. If your friend has melanoma colorectal cancer then it is possible that the cancer might have spread to other organs. A melanoma colorectal cancer might spread to liver, peritoneum, lungs, bones and brain. Since she is having fluid collection in the abdomen therefore metastasis to peritoneum might be present. Melanoma colorectal cancer spreads too fast and sometimes even doctors are able to make a confirmed diagnosis only when it has reached the later stages. Your friend might require a whole body PET CT scan to know the spread of cancer and then treatment with chemotherapy might be suggested.  Chat Doctor.  Please do not worry.