Trying ro look on the positives

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Hi everyone, recently diagnosed with rectum cancer (Thurs). Had a biopsy at the colonoscopy on Thurs, CT scan today and MRI is due on Saturday.

My tumour is 50mm so deemed large. I'm trying not to Google anything except official websites but the worry that I will be stage 4 is constant.

I have previously had cervical cancer, which was a misdiagnosis from my previous smears. I was given my 5 year all clear last Dec and was looking forward to good times ahead (get married in June 2024).

I'm 43 years of age, and now have this to deal with. Im trying to stay positive but relaistic.

Has anyone been in similar situation with this tumour size? Whatever stage you are I would like to know what treatment was offered, any help or advice welcomed :-)

Thanks

Gemmary over 1 year ago

Hi, MISS KW , welcome! I know you don't want to be here! Mine was rectal, 7cm, but size doesn't really make much difference. It may not have spread, in which case you will not be stage 4. And if it has it still is probably very treatable. Mine was started off as a T3N1M0 but after biopsy after operation it became T3N0 V1M0, the vascular invasion meant 30 weeks adjuvant chemo. All that was in 2019, and so far I am cancer free! So don't panic, difficult though it is. Others can tell their story . Any questions just ask!! ((Hugs))

Kareno62 over 1 year ago

Hi and welcome to the board. I’ve attached a link to a post by Kirsty87 who has been diagnosed with a tumour the same size which you might like to have a look and see the comments?

Newly diagnosed colon cancer

Size is not indicative of the staging. The stage will be decided on by how far the tumour has grown into the bowel wall. The usual treatment for rectal cancer is chemoradiotherapy to shrink the tumour before surgery - mine shrank from 40mm to 10 mm after this treatment and I was stage 3. That was in 2016 and I’m still cancer free.

Bowel cancer is pretty slow growing but very treatable and if you click in my name then you can see my history to date

Hope this helps and please post if you’ve any questions?

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

MISS KW over 1 year ago in reply to Gemmary

This has really made me feel so much more positive!! Thank you, and I'm so glad you are cancer free and fighting fit ️

MISS KW over 1 year ago in reply to Kareno62

Karen,

I'm loving the good news stories!! Thank you for taking the time to write. I will look at the links you sent.

Posiitve pants are back on!!!