Feeling very confused and upset about my diagnoses

Miny79 4 days ago

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In November I was diagnosed with a 3cm cancerous polip in my bowel. On the 11th of December I had low anterior resection surgery to remove the affected area and put the bowel back together.

The recovery has been tough as every day I am learning to live with my body and bowel being and working differently.

on the 30th of December I got the result back from my biopsy which was that the polip left no active cancerous cells behind but they did find one active cell in one of the lymph nodes. I was told that this was good news and that I could be referred to do preventative chemo if I wanted to. Which I have an appointment for in macmillan on the 15th of January.

This all so far sounds very positive but I am finding it extremely hard to be positive and optimistic to be honest. I am riddled with anxiety every day as I still have a lot of questions. One of my biggest concerns is that I was never told what stage this cancerous polyp was when they found it. When I received the results from my biopsy after my surgery I was told that everything was removed and that I no longer had cancer. However that one cell that was found in one lymph node has been heavily on my mind.

Inically this polyp was discovered because I had blood in my stool and after a GP appointment regarding this I was referred for a colonoscopy and a CT scan. It was in the colonoscopy that the polyp was discovered but nothing appeared in the CT scan. As far as the CT scan was concerned I did not have cancer but all along this polyp was there.

so my questions are:

- what stage would I have been before my surgery and now?

- is it possible that is has spread around the body but has not shown up in the CT scan?

- As I was told that everything was removed should I still go ahead with chemo?

- what is the difference between adjuvant chemo and preventative chemo? As I was recommended to do preventative chemo

- If I decide to go ahead with the preventative chemo is that as strong as normal chemo as it is preventative?

- what are the side effects I may have from chemo?

Thank you for your time and patience

Sandra

Joanne - Macmillan 2 days ago

Dear Miny79

Thank you for getting in touch with the Macmillan Cancer Support . My name is Joanne, and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists. Welcome to our online community and I hope you find it helpful and supportive.

We’re sorry to hear about your recent bowel cancer diagnosis and treatment. Receiving a diagnosis of cancer, no matter how positive your long-term outcome is, can come as a shock and can be difficult to come to terms with. It’s important that you look after your emotional wellbeing at this time.

You have asked some very valid questions. Here at the Macmillan Support Line, we are able to give general advice and information. We are independent from the NHS and don’t have access to medical records so can’t give personalised information. This means I won’t be able to answer the questions for your case specifically, but I will give to some general information that may help. We would recommend you write these questions down as your oncologist will be able answer then when you are seen on 15^th January.

When someone has symptoms that may indicate a cancer is present, they will have a range of tests. In your case you had a colonoscopy and biopsy which showed cancerous cells in a polyp in your bowel. This allowed your team to make a confirmed cancer diagnosis. With this information and the results of your CT scan your team were able to make a treatment plan which for you was surgery.

From what you have said your team are very positive that the surgery successfully removed the cancer however there was one lymph node found to have cancerous cells. This will have changed the stage of the cancer slightly and this is one reason why they are suggesting you see oncology to discuss chemotherapy.

Risk reducing chemotherapy (sometimes called adjuvant chemotherapy) is aimed at reducing the risk of a cancer returning in the future, either in the same area or in another part of the body. Sometimes despite successful surgery microscopic cancer cells are still in the body, the chemotherapy aims to destroy these cells and therefore reduce the risk of cancer coming back. Scans are not able to detect these microscopic cells so chemotherapy is sometimes offered people who may be a higher risk of the cancer returning. Your oncologist will be able to tell you what your risk is and help you decide if want chemotherapy. There are different types of chemotherapy used for bowel cancer and once you know the type we would be happy to talk you through the potential side effects.

I hope this information has been helpful and if there is anything else we can help you with please feel free to get back in touch.

Best wishes

Joanne, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref/ JF/GG

Miny79 2 days ago in reply to Joanne - Macmillan

Good afternoon Joanne,

Thanks for your help I'm very stressed about this l can't sleep properly because l think l may be a stage 3 so is not good I'm very scared and feeling so powerless , l thinking about getting counselling for myself because to be honest I'm really struggling about this feelings. Many thanks

Regards sandra

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Feeling very confused and upset about my diagnoses