Had surgery to remove tumor in the rectum, even though they had me on the operating table fro 11 hours , they weren't able to reconnect the bowel to the recrum so had a colostomy. They took 27 lymph nodes and 1 came back with having cancer
Consultant surgeon has referred me to an ocolonogist for possible chemo and the recomended cheom is for bolow cancer - is the fact that only one lymph node beinbg positive good news?
Hi Pete B . I’m not medically trained but I would say generally yes. This is a copy of a discription of lymph nodes from the cancer research page
The lymphatic system is a network of tubes and glands in the body that filters body fluid and fights infection. It also traps damaged or harmful cells such as cancer cells.
Cancer cells can go into the small lymph vessels close to the primary tumour and travel into nearby lymph glands 
. In the lymph glands, the cancer cells might die. But some may survive and grow to form tumours in one or more lymph nodes. This is called lymph node spread.’
Lymph nodes travel in chains so if there is only one affected then it’s fair to assume that it is the one nearest the tumour and there is no further spread from there but you might want to double check that with your colorectal support nurse?
I had 2/17 affected and had follow up chemo in 2017 and all still clear now. Hope you’re recovering ok from the op - 11 hours is a big operation. There’s lots of advice and support on here on the Ileostomy and Colostomy support board if you need it and lots of chemo advice too.
Hope the meeting with the oncologist goes well
Take care
Karen x
