Polyps and chemotherapy

Hi ,

My understanding is that the reason for the chemotherapy is the fact that cancer was found in one of the lymph nodes. This basically means that the cancer had started to "travel". In all likelihood it was probably one of the lymph nodes closest to the original tumour, and the cancer may not have gone any further than that. But once in the lymph nodes, they cannot be 100% sure that there are no microscopic cells lurking around elsewhere waiting to cause havoc. The chemo is a "belt and braces" approach, i.e. they are relatively confident that all cancer has been removed, but they cannot be absolutely sure.

In my particular case the tumour had not breached the bowel wall and there was no sign of cancer in any of the lymph nodes, blood, etc. So I did not need chemo. And just for my peace of mind I sent the histopathology report to a friend who is an oncologist in South Africa, and he agreed with that assessment.

All the best for the chemotherapy!

Yolande

Hi . As Yolande says, it’s the sneaky lymph node that causes the recommendation for chemo. To pinch dom1969s favourite analogy - Cancer is like a weed. Imagine the tumour to be like a dandelion that’s just turning to clocks. You (the surgeon) dig out the dandelion and a fair bit of soil with it (remove the tumour with clear margins) however you find a clock in amongst the soil that you’ve dug out (lymph node). You cannot see anymore clocks round about but could one have been taken by the wind and is lying somewhere else in the garden and may take root? To be on the safe side you blast the whole garden with weed killer (chemo) 

So Yes it’s the belt and braces - chemo isn’t pleasant but it is doable

Take care

Karen x

Hi

As others have said, it is the risk that there are microscopic cancer cells lodged somewhere that are currently too small to see/scan. With regard to the polyps yes sometimes there are small changes within them that make them turn cancerous over time. Best to get them removed pre-chemo, as you can't have surgery immediately after chemo as chemo reduces healing until it's effects wear off. As the oncologist said, whether the polyp as cancerous or not (you won't know if it is until you get the pathology report back after the op) the treatment would still be the same which is mop up chemo which you are having anyway because of your lymph node being positive.

Nicky

ha ha and here I am lol...hope you are keeping well karen!

Padraig, the chemo targets ALL fast dividing cells as that is what cancer cells do, so your hair may thin and youll probs get a sore mouth and feet ect.

It can be horrible and generally is to be honest but it will soon be over and youll be right as rain by christmas

Yes I’m good thanks dom1969 - glad to see you’re still lurking around

Karen x