EMVI POSITIVE CANCER

Hi Hammer58 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I'm not a member of this forum but noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment to date into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi Hammer58 

We have many people come through with this and go on to recover fully .

When my mum started treatment this information was not even available to patients.

I see it a bit like a gathering of information to see if chemo is of benefit ,

So if lymph nodes , depth of tumour , Emvi etc is present they may suggest belts and braces chemo to reduce the risks further after surgery .Which is still the best tool In the box . 

The other thing about Bowel cancer the rate of recurrences drop off quickly after two years .

My mum had a spread at diagnosis. But her strength was in being a top responder to  chemo and shrank the spread right down . That’s another variable .

You have done the main things to prevent a recurrence but if you ask your nurse if they could get someone to reassure you and explain it to you when you are getting your bloods done or send an email to your consultants secretary. They would want to get this into a better place for you .

Take care ,

Court 

Thank you. I think i need to email the consultant as they never even mentioned the type of cancer I had and I've probably done the worst thing in researching myself. Appreciate your response. 

Hi Hammer58 

You mentioned you're on chemo now, so do you have regular reviews with your oncologist through this? If not, you can request one.

Your oncologist should be able to discuss results, prognosis, risks, opportunities and such like, should you want to.

You will hear phrases like "we're all different" or "no two cases are the same". It is so true and while hearing others' stories can help us understand concepts and give us support, getting your information and situation discussed with the healthcare team supporting you will probably be your strongest tool.

Avoid google. This community site and the main macmillan, bowelcancer, cancerresearch + nhs sites all have search options and will probably be more informative and less fear-filling. I think the community site search can even help find conditions stated in people's profiles as well as in discussion threads.

Hi COURT … this is reassuring to read regarding EMVI. Although I was told I have rectal cancer a few weeks ago, this acronym wasn’t mentioned and I only saw it on my recent biopsy report last night. It bewildered me and I am investigating it today. I’ve not been offered surgery at this point - (I am wondering if it’s because I am over 70?) …but I was told last week I’m firstly to have 5 weeks’ Chemoradiotherapy starting early April … so to read that your Mum responded well to Chemo is good to know. best wishes to all x

Hi SadieW 

Thankfully the NHS is not ageist. Fitness can be a factor in deciding surgery but it is entirely normal to go to chemo radiation first if it’s a rectal tumour . They like to reduce the tumour as much as possible and get better surgical margins .

It was amazing to watch the treatment shrink the cancer . It can be very powerful . 
I hope you are coping well ,

Court 

Hi again court …  I had a great chat today with the Colorectal Nurse. I’m finding them all very friendly and so easy to talk to. She told me the logic of doing the ChemoRT first and I can now see the sense in it. I was telling her what hope this Forum is giving me having read lots of positive stories. I’m keeping in good spirits thanks. All the best to you and everyone on here  

I'm sorry you're facing this. 

I had rectal cancer and was sent to chemoradiation followed by full on chemo. I wasn't offered surgery until after chemo. 

I'm glad they explained their reasoning.  It really helps to feel good about the treatment plan. 

Susan13 thank you for replying ~ I am so sorry to read everything that you went through in less than two years and how positive you are. Keep strong x 

I hope you remain positive sweetie and all the very best for the future xx