My Choice v Oncologist Choice

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Hey people, im new here and a first time poster so please bare with.

After draining an empyema doctors found a cancer mass, after a lot of hassle and messing around from doctors, I.E originally it wasn't cancer, then it was (apparently a ultrasound missed the mass) i was fitted with a stoma for a bowel obstruction and given a colonoscopy.

Numerous mris and ct scans later didnt 100% prove cancer but rather a high grade dysplasia, but also a mri showed a solitary liver met (which I know in terms of mets is great news) so this clearly indicates stage 4.

I was sent home and told a flexible sigmoidoscopy would be arranged, this happens tomorrow. Today I had a conversation with a clinical nurse who all but confirmed cancer, telling me they're sure it's 99.9% cancer, and they're hoping to cure.

My issue is, she also also told me they want to start chemo and surgery in the future to cut part of the liver and eventually the bowel, however, after doing months of research  (I originally went into hospital early april and researched since) myself I have decided I would prefer a non-sugery approach, by combining capecitabine pills and SBRT, as opposed to their more aggressive approach.

I suffer anxiety as well as agoraphobia so that treatment plan suits me much better (even though I know id have to.leave home for the SBRT). Do you think I should advocate for this or go along with what im told?

Apologies if in wrong forum. 

Many thanks.

    • Oh and to add, despite the colonoscopy and a first flexible sigmoidoscopy, tomorrow's being the second, they still dont have enough tissue for a 100% biopsy decision.

    Is there anyway I can avoid tomorrow's sigmoidoscopy and tell them to use what they have or is there an alternative route?

    Im at the end of my tether 

  • Hello  

    A warm welcome to the Online Community - although I am so sorry to find you joining us under these circumstances. Yes the Community is divided into cancer specific groups so I would advise you to join these two groups 

     Bowel (colon and rectal) cancer forum: and

    Secondary liver cancer forum 

    Once you click on the links I have provided and the page open up, click on "join" on the black banner at the bottom of the page. Once you have joined the groups you can repost or copy and paste your post above in the "New Here - Say Hello" section.

    If you do need any further help in navigating the Community please do get back to me.

    I wish you well going forward.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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