Stage 4 bowel cancer radiotherapy

Former Member over 4 years ago

2 replies
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Hi, I have stage 4 bowel cancer which has spread to my liver. I have had 8 cycles of chemo, which apparently has worked very well in reducing the cancer in my bowel and liver. I am scheduled for a liver resection mid June, hopefully - just waiting for the date to be agreed. In the meantime I am off chemo for 6 weeks to allow my body to be ready for surgery. I am also scheduled to have radiotherapy on my bowel - a cycle of 5 sessions over a week.

I am seeking any advice or support from people who may have had radiotherapy;y for a week - pre operation and the impact the radiotherapy had on them. I am concerned that the radiotherapy may delay the liver operation if I suffer too many side effects.

I am also concerned that the chemo has made my liver fatty, which is going to complicate the operation.

Many thanks

Zue

court over 4 years ago

I think had five days of radiotherapy so I have tagged him in to hopefully share his experiences.
If the liver team has reviewed your scan and happy to proceed with full access to your liver panels they will know how your liver is functioning and happy to proceed . My mum has had two liver resection and chemo over two years prior to her last resection and they were content that her liver was in good shape as they removed 73% .
Hope that gives you some reassurance.

Take good care of yourself.

Court

Helpline Number 0808 808 0000

Former Member over 4 years ago

Hello Zue,

My situation was very similar to yours over 2 years ago. I was initially inoperable then with 12 weeks of chemo and then 5 weeks of radiotherapy I had surgery on both liver then bowel.

I tolerated the radiotherapy very well except for the last week when my bowel became very loose. I would hope that one week of radiotherapy will not cause you any problems. I had a short rest period prior to liver op but all went as planned. Your pre op assessment will look at your readiness for liver surgery which I hope will go ahead as planned.

Best tip i can give you is to keep as mobile as you can during treatment and exercise every day even if just a walk which is what I did, it aids your recovery after surgery physically and mentally.

I've not heard of a fatty liver being an issue after chemo so hopefully not an issue.

Best wishes

Martin