Colon Resection or Surveillance

2 replies
116 subscribers
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Greetings All,

I am a newby to the forum and to cancer so hello to those whom I will be calling my new friends.

Brief history - screening test came back positive in December, colonoscopy on the 21st came back a month later with an inconclusive result for a largish polyp near the rectum in the sigmoid. A further sigmoidoscopy biopsy came back benign. CT and MRI did not show any spread or other cancer so decision taken to remove the polyp which was very successful. Unfortunately cancer cells were found in the middle with insufficient margin to give me an all clear. The MPA recommendation was 'gold standard' surgery, with all the inherent consequences, or surveillance as there was a 3 percent chance of some cancer cells being left behind and possible migration to lymph nodes.

What to do? Has anyone else been here? I am take the surgery but the consequences seem dire. I am 70 years but very fit and happlity married

Thanks

Moon

Katz51 over 1 year ago

Sorry to hear that you find yourself in this situation.

What are the "dire" consequences that you are worried about?

If you could explain a little more I am sure that folk will be along to help with your worries.

In the meantime if you click on anyones user name you can read their history so far to get an idea of the many varied treatments available.

Kath

Wellspring over 1 year ago

Hi Moon

This is such an impossible question. Percentages can be a useful guide although if you were in the 3% group, that would be a 100% for you. Katz51 has encouraged you to find out more and I’d add that you could look at upsides and downsides.

Surgery, and even stoma bags, are much less challenging in practice than in theory. From my experience, not such a big downside compared with leaving the squatter behind. But it has to be your choice, based on your diagnosis, your priorities & circumstances, and your perspective.

So ask your questions, make notes, talk it through with a good listener and do continue to seek input here.

Every blessing

Wellspring