Rectal cancer

Hi 

I think a chat with your oncologist would be really helpful to reassure you as they do have a few different combinations to work with . Three is still a good number and will hopefully have done a good job .

Are you getting a scan soon ?

Take care ,

Court 

Thanks for your reply Court it is appreciated. I am due to have an interim scan at the start of session 4.

Is it a distant lymph node spread or nearer the primary tumour ?

Its always hard to tell on the forum . I remember reading a paper years ago that the first four make considerable impact. More research may have followed that , I have not checked , but it used to give me a lot of comfort when my mum was in treatment . 
Hope the scan goes well .

Court 

It is pelvis and up the front of tummy. Thank you for your encouragement. It helps

Hi,

thought I’d chip in with some solidarity. I have a high rectal tumour diagnosed at about the same time as yours but no spread to lymph nodes as far as MDT can see. Currently on pre-op FOLFOXIRI cycle 2/6. Struggled with low neutrophils despite being an otherwise healthy 38yr old so already had a delay and a one off reduction of 2/3 drugs. 

I find the lack of control hard to deal with as there seems to be nothing I can do to get the WBC numbers back up. Just wanted to let you know you’re not on your own. 

do you have an operation planned? 

Hi there I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis but like you say we're not alone. I don't have an operation planned. The initial plan was four sessions then a review then a further 3 sessions. This obviously might change.  My diagnosis is advanced..so not sure if operation is even feasible. The good thing is it has not metastasized at this stage. The lack of control is very hard to deal with.. I hope you get back on track with your treatment soon and I wish you the best.

Thanks. Yeah, none of us want to be here do we!

yes, I’m back on track and in the chemo suite right now getting infusion 2. 

By advanced did they mean locally advanced? Did they give you a TNM staging? I’m currently T3 N0M0 which the surgeon described as “locally advanced”. 

Not sure. They just told me it's manageable.. I haven't got a TNM staging.  I have extensive spread to lymph nodes in pelvic area and front of tummy. I'm pleased you're back on track. Hope it goes well... we're all at different stages but all in it together. 

Keep going, I’m 36, I was diagnosed with stage 4a rectal cancer with no spread  in March 2021, non operative so had 4 cycles of capox, followed by 5 weeks of chemo radiation, which took my tumour down to stage 3 and operative then a LAR surgery with an temp ileostomy formed and my appendix taken out in November 2021, all treatments where hard going but just follow what the doctors say and go with every treatment they tell you to have. My histology results from my tumour they took out where T3 N20 (0/21) R0 V1 3 tumour deposits. I have this week been told no more treatment, my oncologist will not see me, my care will be under my surgeon/dr now, where he plans to reverse my stoma. It’s not easy, but do not give up, there was times I was so close to saying can’t do this anymore, you just gotta stay positive and get though it. I will be forever grateful for the NHS. 

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through but glad you're now at op stage. Good luck! I just have a big problem with sickness on the Capecitabine. I'm trying to stay positive.