Tumour type

Hi Bennysmum

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/bowel-cancer/staging-and-grading-of-bowel-cancer

Just linking in a leaflet regarding staging . As you can see there are different levels of the term “invasive”. It will all hopefully get removed and it’s only one factor they use with serval others to gain a picture on the benefits of chemo . But they also look at other aspects like lymph node involvement, cell type etc .

The language can be very frightening until you have some more information to gain perspective.

The main point just now is being operable .

Hope that helps a bit .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi everyone, mine in the letter stated  T3b N1 M0 CRM involved K-ras mutation Mismatch stable. Anybody know whats that? I am waiting for my chemoradiotherapy which is to start at end of this month

Hi Bennysmum!

I hope this may help you relax a bit -  I had cancer of the vagina some years before my bowel cancer, and the tumour was said to be 'aggresive and invasive' which freaked me out a bit.  However after surgery to remove then pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy I was cancer free for five years, and it was only at my check up and mri that I was told that gynae wise I was still cancer free,,,,, however there was a thickening on bowel which led to a colonoscomy and bowel cancer diagnosis.  But my main point is that hard as it is try not to get too hung up on the words the doctors use - they are not always helpful!!

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/diagnosis/staging-and-grading/

If you have a look at this leaflet Wil66

It shows you T3 . It’s the level if infiltration of the tumour through the bowel wall . 
N1 means anything from 1 to 3 lymph nodes involved but near the tumour abc the surgeon strips these out . 
M0 means there is no spread anywhere else . That’s good news !

CRM means 

Not sure exactly what that means , definitely one for the surgeon but also caution that you don’t over interpret it either as there is a lot of surgical language in the reporting .

K-ras is mutated /altered gene that shows up in 30 to 40 % of tumours . This information is important in planning chemo for some people . 

Thanks court for replying and for the information

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/diagnosis/staging-and-grading/

If you have a look at this leaflet Wil66

It shows you T3 . It’s the level if infiltration of the tumour through the bowel wall . 
N1 means anything from 1 to 3 lymph nodes involved but near the tumour and  the surgeon strips these out . 
M0 means there is no spread anywhere else . That’s good news !

CRM means 

Not sure exactly what that means , definitely one for the surgeon but also  be caution that you don’t over interpret it either as there is a lot of surgical language in the reporting .

K-ras is mutated /altered gene that shows up in 30 to 40 % of tumours . This information is important in planning chemo for some people . 

MMS ( microsatellite stable) is what around 80% of the population of colorectal cancer patients have and not anything of concern .

I am assuming you are through surgery and that’s the most important aspect . This information is part of the jigsaw that allows the oncologist to decide the right chemotherapy pathway for you . Once you meet with the oncologist they will talk you through the reasoning behind it based on your surgical pathology.

The most important thing is you are safely through surgery .

Our helpline staff may be able to assist you better than I have as I am no Doctor as you will be able to tell . Just linking in the definitions .

0808 808 0000

All the best with your chemotherapy . 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum

This is a thread you might find helpful on chemotherapy tips !

Court 

Sorry Wil66

It went off before I finished it .

Hope the rest helps .

Court 

Since the tumour is 1cm closer to the anus the MDT team (as per oncologist letter)recommended 5 weeks chemoradiotheraphy(to start end of this month) then surgery(APR) after 6 weeks 

Right , I understand . So the information was from the biopsy rather than post op pathology.

The other aspect , the treatment can cause Shrinkage of the tumour which can downstage it further .

Its a good plan ! 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/227598/radiotherapy-care-top-tips

You might also find the radiotherapy thread helpful in preparation. Others created it who have been through the same .

Take care ,

Court 

Thanks for the information court