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Location Of Cancer On Colon May Predict Patient's Survival Chances

BOSTON (CBS) – New research shows the location of a patient's colon cancer may predict their chances of survival.

After being diagnosed with advanced colon cancer, Marine Combat Veteran Tim Carroll says he was planning his funeral. Doctors told him with chemotherapy, he may have only two years to live.

"Dealing with this kind of fight, you can't shoot it or stab it or run it over," said Carroll.

The 63-year old's tumor originated on the left side.

Now a new study finds metastatic colon cancer patients like Carroll survive significantly longer than patients with cancer that starts on the right.

Colon Cancer
Marine Combat Veteran Tim Carroll, who is battling colon cancer. (WBZ-TV)

Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute treats Caroll for his cancer.

"People who had left sided tumors actually had a much better prognosis than those that had a right sided tumor," explained Meyerhardt.  "Actually greater than a year difference in their median survival," he adds.

Meyerhardt says the findings will likely change the way doctors approach colorectal cancer treatment as well as research.

"Do the tumors that develop on the right side have different molecular features which lead to worse prognosis?" asked Dr. Meyerhardt. "Is it caught later? Because there are certain symptoms that you develop with a left side tumor that may cause people to seek medical care sooner."

Carroll has now survived for more than seven years.

"I guess I'm a lucky guy. I have a lot to live for. I have been through a lot," he says.

Carroll has had many surgeries and years of chemotherapy and says he will keep fighting.

The study also suggests that the location of the tumor may help doctors decide what chemotherapy treatments are best.

Two other studies suggest that the location of the tumor in colon cancer makes a difference as well.

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