MRI results

https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/TreatingAdvancedBowelCancer_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Hi DaisyD

A lot of information to process . If you had a polyp biopsy they normally get the cell type for the chemotherapy for that . This looks to see what chemotherapy or additional treatments can be added in . It is very much  driven by the best outcome from research over the years .

I have added a leaflet at the top which explains all the options and approaches used by the oncologist when a spread to the liver is found .

Also if you click on my user name you can read how my mum’s team managed her spread . That is just one example . Some others with use chemotherapy in a more long term approach. It’s all very individual. But your team is in the background reassessing all the time to see the next best step for you . However your team does need time to see how you respond to the treatment . Whilst it’s individual that’s where the Hope lies in my opinion . Until they get a good feel for your response they are pretty guarded and rightly so but that can change as things move along .

They normally do a lot of blood tests before starting chemo . This information gives them a base line for things like CEA ( a tumour marker for bowel cancer ) and liver function etc . They repeat these before each cycle of chemo . They can make sure your bloods are holding up well or if they need to make some small adjustments to your plan . My mum has her chemo dose reduced the second year as her platelets dropped . This allowed a better more tolerable approach .

Sometimes a rest week is added in to allow bloods time to recover . This is all perfectly normal practice for chemotherapy .

Keep chatting to your team and they are there to support you .

Ask anything you like here as well and we also have a helpline 0808 808 0000.

take care and all the very best with your treatment .

Court 

Thank you, that's very helpful.