I am a 76 year old bloke who has stage 3 cancer. I have been through radio/chemo thereapy with a significant reduction in tumor size but have now been referred for exenterative surgery as there are complications. The surgeon frightened the life out of me but left me with the decision to have extended margin operation/modified pelvic exenteration vs the conventional operation. The risks seem huge but my understanding is that there is no option if I am going to survive beyond 5 years. I know surgeons have to spell out the risks but I can get no feel of the probabilities. i am in good health but did suffer a mild stroke as a result of the chemo ( I think). Any experiences would be gratefully received particularly the probabilities of recovery. There would be a permanent stoma but the list of possible problems is daunting. without an estimate of the probabilities and benefits I am completely at sea and very anxious.
Does anybody have any experience of this that i can use to get this in perspective?
