Tumour at Hepatic Flexure

FormerMember
FormerMember
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I have just been diagnosed with Colon Cancer at the hepatic flexure. I have surgery booked for the 31/3. They plan to ‘look see’ first to investigate whether there is a clear margin between colon and liver. They will proceed with hemi colonectomy if there is. If not they will close up and use chemo to reduce size before trying again. I feel that if they don’t proceed  it will negatively affect my prognosis. Has anyone else encountered this?  I feel very scared and want this alien out! 

  • Hi 

    I totally understand your concern as I desired greatly that my mum reach a surgical option as it really does feel like a solution . It is quite common to reduce tumours with chemo to allowed better surgical margins . Watching my mum’s tumour shrink was indeed frightening but remains one of the most amazing thing I have seen . The chemo was also a major player in her recovery although it was certainly via a different pathway . Would not have selected it but I actually attribute it to her longevity, Rectal tumours face this also and have treatment prior to surgery . 

    This is a very frightening experience but surgeons err on the side of caution preop in our experience. Anytime my mum had a procedure we were told of the worst possible outcome but I think they do have a feel for what they will encounter but want to manage expectations just in case . 
    Hope everything goes smoothly and you can put this behind you .

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to court

    Thank you Court. 

  • Hi 

    Just a thought but if you have a look at  posts . Her husband has just had a positive result from pre surgery chemo to shrink a tumour that was abutting the pancreas. Different organ but potentially similar issues just slightly different location. 
    Still hoping the margins are clear for you but this is also encouraging.

    Take care ,

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to court

    Hi Court, thank you for taking the trouble to look into this. I have a little more good news, after meeting with my  ‘Shero’ surgeon, MS Katie Schwab, she intends (if she can’t operate first time) to bring in specialist liver surgeons to operate on liver, then she will proceed with hemi colonectomy. This is much more preferable to me as an option, I want this alien OUT! 

  • Hi my husband has 6 rounds of oxalaplatin, irinotecan and 5fu he's tumor at the start was 24mm and has now shrunk to 15mm so he is now able to have surgery he's tumor was inseparable from tail of pancreas but now it's not so he has had fantastic results from having neoadjuvent chemotherapy. Hope everything goes well for you too xx

  • Oh fantastic news  You have a good team there and it will be onwards you full recovery for you .

    Hope it all goes very smoothly for you . 
    Delughted to hear that .

    Court 

    Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to court

    Thank you! 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Hayleyc89

    That’s very reassuring to hear. Hope the surgery goes well now. Sending you virtual hugs! X

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Hayleyc89

    That’s really good to hear, thank you. I really hope he’s on the mend now. X

  • I hope all goes well for you. Take care xxx