Was diagnosed with rectal cancer yesterday ,a 30mm tumour,been offered radiotherapy as they thi k it is also in my lymphnodes then a operation to remove the tumour which there is a very slim chance the radiotherapy might shrink it to nothing or just the Operation, unfortunately a permenant colostomy bag is the only option after op.
Has anyone else went through similar ,I don't know what treatment to go for and looking for some advice.
Hi Walkingstickwarrior and a warm welcome to the board. Yes once you have a treatment plan in place then it helps to know what lies ahead.
It will be a tough few months but please keep posting and we’ll help and support you through this.
Take care
Karen x
Thanks Karen. I have read your timeline and found it very helpful. I have never posted on a forum before before so it is anther new experience!
Walkingstickwarrior Hope it’s been an enjoyable experience so far?! As you can see we’re all at different stages of treatment and recovery but happy to share advice and experience. You can ask anything you like - there is nothing too daft or embarrassing - or just read other posts. The search box at the top of the screen lets you search posts for specific words and if you click on create new post on the right hand side then you can start your own post x
Hi Dave, at the beginning of Dec I was diagnosed with a low rectum tumour T2/3 N1. At first I was told my treatment plan would be 5 days of radio therapy followed by 12 weeks chemo to shrink the tumour and then surgery for a permanent stoma. As like you, mine is very low 4cm in but the tumour is 6cm in size. A few days later 23rd dec, I had an appointment with my oncologist and he proposed and recommended a different treatment plan due to my age and fitness. I’m 43 and run regularly. This consists of 25 sessions of high radio therapy followed by 12 weeks of chemo. I would then be scanned. This was based on the Opra trial regimen which resulted in 53% stoma avoidance rate. If successful I would then be on a watch and wait approach. I decided to go with this option. It wasn’t an easy choice but I told myself if I do have to have a stoma, at least I know I tried everything else. I started my treatment last Monday 13th Jan and doing ok so far…….still a VERY long road but taking each day as it comes. With your questions, it may be worth researching the Opra trial. There are a lot of side effects to such long radiation but I am being very well supported to manage any side effects I get. I wish you well with your treatment plan.
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