Cancer in Rectum

Hi Tiffy I had scans at various stages throughout my treatment as it gives the consultant an up to date picture. The CT scan is usually chest abdomen and thorax so yes it sounds completely normal. Chemo radiotherapy can cause inflammation and I remember being told the same thing- I was later told that the tumour had shrunk by 75% which was good. 

The strange feeling at the end of your bottom could be that you are aware of the tumour or maybe a bit of a stool blockage? You could post in the Ask the Nurse section if you’re really worried?

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/ask_the_expert-forum/ask_a_nurse

Take care

Karen x

Yes, the CT scan is standard! I believe you get one every 12 months over your five year surveillance, chest and abdomen. It is to see if it had spread, but it is honestly just routine and not because they think it has!

The strange feeling could be the scarring or the inflammation the oncologist mentioned? I had a quite weird sensation at times after brachytherapy when they had targeted one area.

Oh that’s good to know. I think my mind is just working overtime

Maybe that’s what it is….when I mentioned the feeling the previous appointment she said ‘it just takes time’. 

thank you for replying x

Oh great that your tumour shrunk. Do you have to get more treatment or do they just keep an eye out on it growing? 

I had previously said about the strange feeling and the oncologist said ‘it just takes time’. Hopefully it is inflammation 

Thank you for replying x

Hi Tiffy I was diagnosed back in 2016 and had surgery to remove what was left of the tumour. I had follow up chemo as I had 3 out of 17 lymph nodes affected but I’ve been ‘no evidence of disease’ ever since x

Oh fantastic. I hope you don’t mind me asking but do they just remove the tumour or do you need a temporary stoma too? 

No of course I don’t mind Tiffy Yes I had a temporary stoma which was reversed after my treatment finished. Temporary stomas are often used for rectal tumours so it gives the bowel time to heal x

Oh okay, I didn’t know that. 

Do you think they chemp/radio first just to shrink the tumour? I actually wonder if I’d have been better getting surgery from the beginning or would they have been a permanent stoma. I’ve so many questions I wish I’d asked  now.  My head was all over the place as I think I was in shock with my diagnosis. I wish I’d waited to think things through xx 

Hi. When they remove the tumour they also remove a clear surrounding area (known as a clear margin) then rejoin the 2 remaining ends of the bowel. If the tumour is in the rectum then there is less bowel left to rejoin to before it ‘runs out’ so the smaller the tumour the better. Imagine cutting a knot out of a piece of string then having to knot the 2 ends back together - the closer the knot is to the end of the string then the harder it is to rejoin? If the tumour is very low in the rectum and there isn’t enough to rejoin then there may be the need for a permanent stoma. Ive attached a link to a booklet that I was given at my first appointment and also one about the different operations. bcuk.adidocdn.dev/.../Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/YourOperation_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Sorry - my iPad locked up! Happy to answer any questions

Take care

Karen x