Rectal cancer surgery yes or No?

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Hi everyone

i I have been dealing with rectal cancer since December 23. Confirmed as cancer in February of this year.

Treatment plan was radiotherapy and then 12 weeks of chemo. IV oxliaplatin and tablets capacebtabine. to shrink tumour for successful operation.

The treatment finished in July this year repeat scans showed changes to the liver and significant shrinkage of the tumour.

The surgeon did a scope and it’s gone. I’m 51 years old and faced with the decision to have surgery to remove the rectum. I’m frightened of recurrence and wonder if anyone else has opted to have surgery in any event?

I am very lucky to have been treated successfully and fear I might not be so lucky if it comes back?

Many thanks.
Andrew

ATS 21 days ago

Hi Andrew, it’s a tough decision to make I know. I had TAMIS surgery to remove my rectal tumour as I didn’t want to have APR for what I was told was an early cancer. My tumour started to grow back very quickly and lymph nodes in the far right of my pelvis has grown from 6 to 21 mm. I underwent chemo and radiation and had what looked like a complete response, biopsies showed high grade dysplasia. I was on watch and wait and within 6 months the cancer was back again.

I ended up having a pelvic exenteration in September last year, I now have a permanent stoma and barbie butt.

So basically I did everything to avoid surgery and if you chose to watch and wait you will be monitored very closely and any changes are picked up very quickly.

Andrew Mc 21 days ago in reply to ATS

Hi ATS

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. It’s greatly appreciated.

The surgeon has taken biopsies too so I will get the results of those and the PET scan next week.

it is reassuring to hear the doctors and your clinical team were on top of it and hope that you’re doing well now.

Your reference to Barbie made me smile as my sister said the very same thing.

Thanks and best wishes

Andrew

Joan90 20 days ago

It's such a difficult decision to take, and a Barbie bum was one of my options.

I had my smallish rectal tumor successfully removed via TEMS with clear margins. But the histology showed it was a bit of a nasty piece of work and I had to choose between: Do nothing and wait, straight to a Barbie bum or Chemoradiotherapy. Bear in mind I went straight to TEMS so I had no chemo before.

I've chosen Chemoradiotherapy because if things do go wrong I have a Barbie bum to fall back on. (I'm giggling at this phrase as I type...you have to laugh at something).

I'm going to be closely monitored for the next two years and I hope if anything starts up they will be on it quickly. But I have accepted, in my head, that a Barbie bum could be on my horizon and I will immediately go for it should I need it.

Perhaps a discussion with your consultant as to future options and the % chances of recurrence as well as the monitoring they intend to do, might put things straighter in your mind.

Andrew Mc 20 days ago in reply to Joan90

Hi Joan90

Thanks for sharing your story and advice. I am meeting with the surgeon shortly in the coming days and I do like your suggestion that it is good to have something in reserve if it comes back!

I found laughter helped through the treatment I told everyone that I was off to the daily sunbeds when having RT and having some juice when having chemo.

Ever thankful for the wealth of talent in the NHS who have been looking after me.

Best wishes

Andrew