TAMIS and what

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Hello all!

First time here. My story in bullets are here:

  • May 1st 2026 - First Colonoscopy at age 58- found a 15mm cancerous polyp. Removed it piece-meal at colonoscopy. Found it “infiltrative”.
  • May 8th – MRI and CT done. MRI says T1/T2, node positive.
  • May 15th - Met Oncologist and Surgeon, they recommended LAR (Prospect Trail).
  • May 20th - Got a second opinion at a large cancer center. They did Proctoscope, my tumor is at 10cm from AV. They did look at the MRI images from May 8th, they say node is negative, T1/T2.
  • May 26th – The second opinion place want to read my pathology slides from the colonoscopy place. Their read shows no LVI, so they offered TAMIS rather than LAR surgery.
  • June 2nd – Another MRI shows no nodes or rectal wall thickening.
  • June 22nd – TAMIS done
  • June 30th – Pathology shows T2 and LVI positive. Since no nodes were taken out, cannot verify those.

I am worried about the LVI and T2 stage. Yet to talk to the surgeon, but would like to know my options from this community members. Did anyone had similar experience like this?

I found an encouraging post on this forum by user "Jogey" about wait and watch. I would love to hear if such wait and watch is feasible for me. 

Any thoughts or ideas?

  • Hi there

    Firstly, sorry you're going through this. It's a scary and unpleasant place to be but this forum really helps 

    So my case has similarities but more favourable pathology - I was flagged suspicious for LVI, but they couldn't confirm and second opinion didn't see how they made that conclusion. However as you have confirmed LVI plus T2, this does swing the risk needee. 

    I had an 18mm polyp removed via colonoscopy (EMR) in January. 

    T1 SM2
    Well to moderately differentiated
    Budding bd1 (low)

    CT, MRI and bloods fine. 

    I had a follow-up TAMIS - it was completely normal confirming a clear resection with no residual tumor visible in sample. It's possible that the cautery effect from EMR may have raised suspicion of LVI. It's possible I do have it but they now don't know. That's the dice I had to roll with surveillance. 

    Due to SM2 depth and "suspicious" LVI they offered me surveillance or major surgey, and with the TAMIS result it was a more comfortable choice to go surveillance. I have my first follow-up scans in a few weeks. 

    What was your exact pathology wording? Have they quoted any percentages?

    Colorectal teams don't mince words. They'll tell you if surveillance is medically defensible but for what it's worth, I was told if there was confirmed LVI or deeper invasion (ie T2 or more) then I'd have "no real choice" other than major surgery. But that was me...

    It's not my intention to worry you and it's why I ask about overall pathology

    Every case is different and your team will know best. But do your research and ask questions. Ultimately it's up to you.

    I wish you all the best with the next steps

  • Thanks!

    The exact pathology wording was LVI confirmed-this is from TAMIS sample. There are no percentages mentioned.

    Have you seen the story of Jogey mentioned in my post? He was T3N1. Without surgery he managed to complete more than 6 years - a huge success I think. But I am not sure what protocol they used. I would love to know so that I can discuss with my doctor.

    I am going to talk to someone from MD Anderson on Sunday. He is a top guy (maybe one of the top 5 in the US), so I will put Jogey’s example in front of him and see what he has to say. 

    As for your case- you are T1, a safe zone. TAMIS is ideal for such stage as per NCCA. BTW what do you mean by SM2 depth?

  • Hi  

    Have you looked on 

    profile page as it’s quite detailed- click on his name above

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