Polyp cancer diagnosis

Robbo85 1 month ago

3 replies
125 subscribers
300 views

Hi Everyone,

Not something I ever expected to be dealing with at 40 but alas here I am. I had a rectal polyp removed recently and pathology confirmed it was cancerous.

I have since had a CT scan which was clear, and I will have an MRI in less than 2 weeks

MDT discussed my case and noted it was surprising for a polyp that looked the way mine did to he malignant but believe it has been caught early and that I may not require major surgery but a more minor procedure, which will then itself go to pathology at which point I'll get formal staging. They said something about being able to cut a disc out. But the MRI will guide the next steps I seems. Lots of ifs and maybes at the moment which is hard to process.

It's a very scary, very stressful time - waiting for results/updates is really tough. Every time my phone beeps I panic. That said I'm not expecting any update before my MRI so bizarrely feel a bit more at ease.

The scariest thing is this was an incidental finding and id not had any symptoms - it could just turn out that I was "lucky" to find it when they did. I do not feel ill in any way.

I try to focus on the positives that I've been told so far but it's hard not to think about the worst case scenarios - having a little boy makes it even harder.

I'm hoping for some similar experiences and wondering how you call coped - and for talking to I someone did you go via your nurse specialist team or Macmillan? It's all moving so quickly - which is good of course - but I've not yet really had the opportunity actually discuss what's going on in a calmer setting, and I think that would help.

Thanks, this forum seems a wonderful place.

Kareno62 1 month ago

Hi Robbo85 and a warm welcome to the board. Yes it is a scary time but a clear CT scan is good news and hopefully the MRI will confirm the same and then you can get a treatment plan in place. Bowel cancer is very treatable especially when caught early as your sounds to be.
Theres lots of support available - the macmillan support desk is available 7 days a week from 8-8 on the number below and you may find your local hospital has a Maggies centre where you can chat to someone in person. I’ve attached a link below where you can put your postcode in and see what’s available near to you?

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/in-your-area?pcode=Dn21#g=53.3971828%7C-0.7618824000000001&o=Distance%20Miles%2CAscending

And then there’s us of course! Lots of people on here at different stages of treatment and recovery and happy to share advice and send virtual hugs if needed

Take care

Karen x

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

Robbo85 1 month ago in reply to Kareno62

Thank you Karen, that's helpful.

The wait for the MRI is agonisingly slow but it's getting closer. The team said there's no need to be worried about the MRI being when it is, that this isn't something that just spreads overnight. Still, it's hard not to fill in the blanks.

I have had a chat with the CNS who was able to go over the bits we already know which was helpful and she said I should be positive about what's been seen so far with regards to clear CT etc.

So next step MRI, then the MDT decide what happens after that

I'm concerned about needing a stoma as I guess many folks here are. It's a low rectal polyp but the consultant did explain that it's not a given to need a stoma and it's not so low as to be definite. But that's an issue for another day.

I'll call Macmillan thanks. Not exactly sure how to start the conversation though!

Robbo85 8 days ago in reply to Robbo85

So MRI was clear but the more I'm learning about this disease the scarier it gets

Biopsies from the polyp removal site were negative - but I'm told that alone doesn't reassure.

I have a well to moderately differentiated T1 SM2 with budding bd1 - I am told this is reassuring pathology but doesn't answer everything still yet

I went in to meet the colorectal surgeon and he presented some rather scary stuff, but did note this is early and is more about risk management - there's no actual evidence of active cancer right now but as the surgeon said I'm not quite in textbook classic low risk T1...but not am I high risk. I'm in a statistically grey area...as if there wasn't enough uncertainty!

I've been offered TAMIS or LAR and after understanding more of the risks I'm going for TAMIS for now. At best remaining questions give a favourable outcome and I move to intensive surveillance, or it paints a worse picture than they currently know about and I'll have little choice other than LAR (possibly APR as it's so low..)

I've been stressed out of my mind for weeks now and still weeks away from the next set of answers.

But, things are moving and I'm hoping for a cancellation and quick date for the procedure

I have no idea how I will cope if that comes back worse than expected but I'm trying hard to focus on the fact that they said it's early and treatable...even if one treatment path is life changing.