Adjuvant chemotherapy’s

Hi

Can you ask them WHY they would recommend adjuvant chemotherapy in his case? A lot of it would depend on the type of tumour and how aggressive it might have been, and also the staging of the tumour.

For example I was a T3N0M0, which means that the tumour had not managed to get through the bowel wall and there was no sign of cancerous cells anywhere else like the lymph nodes. Also my tumour was moderately differentiated, which meant that it is not as aggressive as a poorly differentiated tumour. So in my particular case adjuvant chemotherapy was not recommended.

But it can all hinge on one very small detail in the pathology report.

I can't tell you anything about the chemo (the experts will be along soon), not having gone through it, but from what others have said on here different people tend to react very differently. Some have mentioned chemo in the morning and in the office in the afternoon but obviously not everyone will have that reaction.

Keep in mind with the chemo that they can reduce the dose or even stop it if the side-effects become to bad. In the end it is "belt and braces": All VISIBLE cancer has been removed, but they want to be 100% sure they've got any microscopic cells that may have escaped through the lymph nodes or such.

All the best,

Yolande

Hi there. 

Yes you do need to ask what the circumstances are as to why they want to give chemo and find out what stage his cancer was etc.

My boyfriends biopsy confirmed T4 N1 M0. Bowel cancer. Was recommended chemo as mop up, although oncologists hate that saying lol.  But unfortunately he had various complications following surgery and went past the 12 week window. Therefore by the time he was well enough the benefit of chemo went down to single figures and his oncologist at the time didn’t see it being worth it.  He now has a new oncologist who is fantastic.  He has put him on chemo due to tiny mets being discovered on his liver. He is having irino mdg, which is a combination with 5FU.  He has had 3 doses so far fortnightly, and has managed really well. A few side effects for a couple of days afterwards such as fatigue, feeling a bit yucky and going to the toilet more often but other than that he has been well. He’s working part time whilst on the chemo.  But like mentioned above, everyone reacts differently.  He has been through a lot but I think because he was so fit and active before this diagnosis and has continued to get his fitness back up following recovery, it’s been a big help to get him through it. 

Hope you get some answers soon to put your mind at rest. 

Take care 

Thanks Len,

will keep everything crossed for you both x

I have since found out that one of the lymph nodes taken had shown a small amount they aren’t really worried as they are still sure it’s been taken.  He has to go sept 5th to discuss what they are offering and if he wants to go ahead.  I’m different to my in-laws I knew far too much about my dads cancer and really took every detail in.  They just allow them to say things but don’t question anything or write it down, each to their own but my husband has obviously seen with my dad the way things can go so having his brother who has taken over not even telling him the full conversation like yesterday is really frustrating.

thanks for the reply x

Hi Em - yes it’s really frustrating hearing things 3rd hand through other family members. Could you perhaps sit down with your in-laws and jot down a few questions that they might need to ask? You could maybe try and even email them through to the consultant before the appointment?

I had 2 affected lymph nodes which were both close to the tumour so the oncologist said she wouldn’t be unduly worried if I didn’t manage to get round to any chemo - I think if the affected nodes had been towards the outer edge of the area removed then it would have been of greater concern as there may have been others affected further away? You could ask how close the affected node was and what % difference the chemo would have on the likelihood of reoccurrence. The chemo in tablet form (capecitabine) on its own is a lot more tolerable than when given with the oxaliplatin so this might be an option if the consultant feels it would be beneficial?

I was talking to a lady having chemo for breast cancer during one of my sessions and she had been going to refuse chemo as she’d seen how much her husband had suffered with it 10 years early but she’d been surprised by how tolerable it was and how much further advanced the treatment is nowadays.

As you know there are a lot of side effects with chemo although there are lots of pills and potions to help combat these. I coped quite well with it but my feet are still quite numb 2 years down the line so if he does decide to go with the chemo then he needs to keep a close eye on his hands and feet and tell the nurses if he starts to get any side effects. At the end of the day it’s your father-in-laws decision - he could always give it a go and stop if he’s struggling or feel that it’s not something he wants to go through at his age.

He sounds to have recovered really well from surgery so hope the meeting in September goes well

Take care

Karen x

Thank you for you response Karen unfortunately I feel I need to keep out of it and I’m just encouraging my husband to at least try and get the full picture.  I totally agree with what you have written as I have to have infusions which take place on chemo ward so have seen and spoken to many people with different experiences.  My father in law will just do as his told unless my husband steps in and reminds them all it’s his dads choice.  Fingers crossed my husband will speak with his dad before his appointment and explain to him that he needs to ask all the questions and decide for himself.

thank you x

It's all very difficult isn't it. I had a left hemicolectomy in May. Tumour 1" in circumference removed, keyhole surgery & no colostomy bag. 22 Lymph nodes removed...all non cancerous, though EMVI in area of tumour. I was staged Grade 2...because of that factor.

I am 70 yrs.....I feel virtually normal physically after the Op. Mentally, it took a toll.

I saw an Oncologist for biopsy results. She was adamant that I did not need Chemo. She told me that my statistics were 85% survival rate after 5 yrs, If I had Chemo. it was likely to be 2% in terms of effectiveness. She also told me that as well as the usual nastiness of Chemo. Older people can suffer Strokes/ Heart attacks. 2 people had died of Heart Attacks the week before whilst undergoing Chemo, at Dorchester Hospital.

The statistics offered were a no brainer for me..

Wishing your Father in law well.

Thank you for replying Marianne, I hope you continue to do well. I given your statistics would have felt the same.

i will update once we know what they offer etc.

Emx