second opinion re treatment plan for rectal cancer

Hi Kat,

You are entitled to a second opinion. I also had a low rectal cancer and asked for a second opinion after I was recommended to have surgery. The second opinion led to further scans, which unfortunately showed a metastases to the liver - so I went straight into chemo for 3 months (which was succssful) and then chemo-radiotherapy to the pelvis for 6 weeks. I had a "total response" after both treatements (i.e. no sign of the disease).

There have been further complications (metastases to liver and lungs) since then, but I won't bore you with that. Bottom line is, if you want a second opinion, please ask for one. 

Best wishes.

Dear Sunshine

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to me.  It sounds like you definitely benefited from having a second opinion and having the results of those further scans. I really wish you the very best with your further treatment.

Best regards

Kat

Hi Kat,

 I was diagnosed nearly one year ago now with colorectal cancer. According to the scans, doctors thought it was stage 2 but after biopsy of surgery came back it was re-classified to stage 3.

i was given the choice between just treatment (and see what happens) or surgery and potentially treatment. I was told that even if my tumour shrunk with treatment the surgery was likely to be the same because the tumour was so far down.

i opted for the surgery because I couldn’t bare the thought of the tumour being in my body and the treatment potentially not working completely and the cancer spreading. 

I had surgery and subsequently 12 cycles of chemo. I have a permanent stoma and, since my last check, cancer free. I am 43 years old and I lead a completely normal life with the stoma. I don’t feel like it stops me doing anything I want. But, then again, I had no ambition to become a top athlete!

If you feel you want a second opinion you should have one because it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. But, personally, I would not risk my cancer spreading over concerns of living with a stoma.

Take Care

Hi Jubow

Thank you for letting me know your experience and I am utterly delighted to hear that you are now clear and getting on with your life.  It's not so much that I am so concerned about the stoma, I know from experience that many people thankfully adjust very well to managing that.  It's more a concern that I want to have the best treatment for me in terms of chemo before surgery, if that is considered to be more effective.

I think I am going to try to get a second opinion just for my own peace of mind, but I completely agree about wanting the surgery as soon as possible.  I certainly do not want to delay that.

Very best wishes

Kat

I have been refused surgery twice by Christie’s for my colorectal cancer as they say I would be in a worse state following surgery than I am now. Currently on my second treatment of chemo as the first lot did not touch me.  I’m very well on this treatment and it made a huge difference in a matter of days.unfortunately I feel it is no longer working. I discussed with my colorectal nurse that I wanted a second opinion for surgery and she emailed the Oncologist who agreed I was entitled to a second opinion. 
it’s coming up in two weeks. So yes speak to your Colorectal specialist nurse it worked for me.