Questions to ask surgeon before surgery?

Hi Lizzie,

- In some cases, a stoma bag, either reversible or permanent is needed so you may want to ask whether or not that will be the case (sometimes they cannot tell you before they actually go in)

- They normally also remove the surrounding lymph nodes and check if some cancer cells have migrated through, this will likely determine the cancer staging and following treatment (staging info can be found on Cancer UK website)

- If the mass was detected through colonoscopy, the surgeon should be able to confirm whether it is cancerous as they would have done a histology analysis.

- I was not referred to an oncologist until after surgery and cancer cells found in lymph nodes but it is reassuring to discuss the patient clinical journey with the surgeon so you have an idea of what to expect

Hope that helps and that you get all the answers from the surgeon,

Cecile

Hi Lizzie. You’ve got some great questions there. I’ve attached a link to a booklet that might give you a few more? 

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/YourOperation_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Take care

Karen x

Hi LizzieD1

You may also find BowelCancerUK suggested questions helpful :

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/.../

This is an excellent booklet, thank you!

Brilliant thank you :)

Thank you, this is very helpful to know more about what happens when. Yes they took a biopsy at the last colonoscopy.

Hi

I was interested in your questions re. surgery. I asked a few of them; however, also at the time of my initial consultation, many of those questions were answered by the Consultant Surgeon (before me asking.) & therefore, I'm listing a few answers to your questions, based on my personal experience. -

1. Based on my Colonoscopy & Virtual Colonography, my surgeon could not say for certain, but was 99%  sure that the suspicious mass signified cancer.

2, I was not told staging until after my Op.

3, The aim of the operation is to remove the cancer.

4. People can choose not to have the operation, but unfortunately, cancers do grow without treatment.

5. Ah, but things can change.

6, I had high BP at the time, but this was not considered a risk for the operation. I was also 70 yrs,,,again, this was not considered a risk.

7. It certainly improved my quality of life - & removed the pains I was experiencing at the time; plus, 4 years later, I am still alive.

8. That really depends on the individual. However, I was out of hospital in 3 days, & within a week - resumed to my normal life.

9. I had no long term effects from the surgery. My bowel movements were a bit painful for a few weeks is all I had.

10. If someone has concerns pre. Op. Probably best to contact the Surgeon's Secretary.

11. All of my concerns following my surgery, were answered by the excellent Colorectal Team at my hospital.

Wishing your family member many good wishes.

Marianne

Thank you very much Marianne, it's very helpful to get your experiences of going through it yourself. I'm very glad the surgery went well for you. Best wishes x