Short course radiation rectal

Hi Lizzie5555 I had 5 weeks chemoradiotherapy back in 2016 and had almost ‘forgotten’ about it after my break. My original tumour was 4cm and it shrank to 1cm after treatment. The chemo part is a low dosage that enhances the effect of the radiotherapy but I think it is the radiotherapy that does the main work.

What comes next will depend on your scan results and the position of the tumour. Mine was 9cm from the anal verge so I had a Low Anterior Resection with temporary stoma. If the tumour is very low then it may be an Abdominal Perineal Resection but I’m sure your consultant will meet to discuss this with you once your results are back.

Hope you get to hear something soon

Take care

Karen x

Many thanks for your reply. It’s lovely to hear your experience. How long did you have the temporary stoma for?what surveillance have you had since? 

Hi Lizzie5555 . I had follow up chemo after my op as I had 2/17 lymph nodes affected so my op was Nov 16 and my reversal Mar18. If you click on my name then you can see my treatment and follow up timelines - I was signed off ‘no evidence of disease’ after 5 years in 2021 x

Hi, so I’ve had results from ct scan and mri scan. Apparently they say that the tumour can longer be seen. So I’m thinking that means that the radiation has got rid of the tumour?

I’m waiting to see consultant after mdt meeting hopefully on Friday. 
Has anyone been in this position? What choices will I have? 
many thanks 

That’s great news Lizzie. There are cases where people have had a clear response to the radiotherapy and then gone onto Watch and Wait where they are checked regularly and are still cancer free several years down the line. Others have done the same but unfortunately the cancer has returned and they have then had an operation.

I think you’ll have to have a good chat with your consultant and be guided by them. Obviously it’s nice to not go through the op but then there is the watch and wait anxiety to deal with? 

Hopefully you’ll get a meeting with the consultant soon and please keep us posted?

Take care

Karen x

Thank you for your reply 

Hi Lizzie5555

My partner is in a similar situation as you where the tumour has visible gone which is great news. We are still discussing with the surgeon next steps as keen on the watch and wait plan though they encourage surgery for caution. In our case the surgery would be permanent as not reversable which is why we have many questions around alternative plans first.

If only we all had a crystal ball to the future.. good luck with your next steps and keep us updated.

Many thanks for your replies. I have seen the surgeon today and he has advised that the tumour is no longer there but one of my lymph nodes still looks suspicious. So he has advised me to the LAR with temporary illiostomy. I will have to wait 4 weeks. 18 month wait for reversal. Still struggling to get my head around the whole thing! 

I had 5 weeks of Radiotherapy for Anal Cancer, and when I later saw my Oncologist ,she told me that The Cancer was gone from where it was,but that the Radiotherapy was still working on the glands.Th was about 9 months ago.I had another Scan a month ago,but still waiting to hear the result.I rang them 2 days ago,and inquired why it was taking so long,but they didn't know,so now  they've made an appt.to see my Oncologist in 2 weeks time... I,m Praying it will still be a good result.

Hi Lizzie5555. I can imagine you’re maybe a little disappointed but it’s better to get rid of anything that can’t yet be detected and also that affected lymph node. I had the same operation in November 16 and my stoma reversed in mar 18. 

There’s lots of info on here on the Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma board and you’ll quickly get used to dealing with it while your bowel rejoin heals. 

Please keep posting and ask if there’s anything you’re particularly worried about

Take care

Karen x