MRI changes on high level surveillance after stage 3 rectal cancer

Hi there,  so sorry you are going through such challenges that I can relate to. I had stage 3 bowel cancer with spread to lymph nodes so adjunct chemotherapy followed which was brutal. My details are in my profile so won't repeat the saga! I'm now on " Very close monitoring " for 4 years so been going through CTs/ bloods/ calprotectin/ MRI s,etc. Been feeling well , back working full time, etc,so assumed all was good. A month ago got a 8am Monday call from oncology nurse informing me CT had shown " abnormal segment of transverse colon" and was back on the cancer fast track pathway! My world imploded again! Mass panic as they booked me in for urgent colonoscopie just 4 days later! Kept working to distract and did best to keep up facade for my poor ( adult) children who live with me as they'd been through so much worry already with me but I was beyond terrified! Took every pre- med available for procedure and cried for the full 40 minutes looking at that screen in front of me that would reveal my fate again! To be told " no malignancy/ nothing suspicious ", just inflammation as per ( crohns disease for decades) and thickening of surgery site. The relief was immense!

I would push for colonoscopie if I were you as I know from prior to my tumour being discovered, that a sygmoidoscopy didn't reveal it ( strictures and inflammation concealed it), and we know colonospie is 'gold standard ' for everything of this nature. Also, I'm told theres often thickening to my anastmosis/ site so this could be entirely 'normal' for you too, just that they have to report/ exore everything detected as per your high level surveillance as I have? Thinking of you and hoping all will be well, advocate for yourself, push for colonoscopie ( I'd have one a month if could just for reassurance as grim as they are!) & let us know how you get on, take care x

Thank you so much for your reply. Sorry you have been through this all too and glad all was ok. I will definitely push for colonoscopy, it’s reassuring to hear that thickening at scar site could be normal. Fingers crossed that’s what I will be told once reviewed MRI /sigmoidoscopy, although like you I don’t have much faith in sigmoidoscopy as initial missed opportunity in 2021. Looks like bowel prep and a good look with colonoscopy I’ll try and advocate for asap apparently colonoscopy had been requested for Feb and have not heard …