Differences in medical opinion

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Hello all,

Just been diagnosed with advanced rectal cancer having been through MRI, CT scan, colonoscopy. One hospital say that I can go straight to surgery without chemo and have it removed and it hasn't spread to any lymph nodes. After an enquiry for robotic surgery, the second hospital say that it is an advanced T4 tumour and it has affected lymph nodes and it could encroach upon the prostate area. They recommend chemo and radiotherapy in addition to surgery. There is a massive difference of opinion here and I don't know what to think. I just want treatment to start asap but not sure in which direction. I have asked for a third opinion from another cancer specialist team and waiting to hear. How can medical specialists be so far apart in their analyses?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Kareno62 1 hour ago

Hi Moppertb8dfe6 and a warm welcome to the board. Rectal tumours are usually treated with chemo radiotherapy before surgery as it can shrink the tumour (sometimes even completely obliterate it) which leaves the surgeon with as much bowel as possible to remove the tumour with a clear surrounding area (aka clear margins) and then rejoin the bowel back up. This usually results in a temporary stoma or a permanent one if the tumour is very low and there is not enough bowel to rejoin. The area removed is then sent off to the path lab for testing and to see how many lymph nodes may or may not be affected - this may result in post op chemo.
I’ve attached a booklet about the cancer pathway but I think you’re definitely doing the right thing by getting a third opinion - you could also post on the Ask a Nurse board to see if they are able to explain why such a difference in treatment suggestions

https://bcuk.adidocdn.dev/Publications/Bowel_Cancer_UK_Your_Pathway_V10.1.pdf

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

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm