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Rectal Cancer - Hospital Recommendation
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Apr 7 7:26am | Replies (48)Comment receiving replies
I had a transanal resection when we thought the polyp I had was pre-cancerous. The post op biopsy revealed positive margins (rectal cancer). My surgeon at the time and the oncologist said no new surgery because of closeness to the sphincter and because at eyesight there is nothing left to see. So I had radiotherapy.
8 months after the RT, when looking for a second opinion on how to fix the rectovaginal fistula it had provoked, my current surgeon was a different opinion. He said they should have operated again and taken a wait and see attitude in relation to radiotherapy. A third oncologist who is also a surgeon was of the same opinion.
So, @mrt2024 , if you can take a second opinion, do so before taking a final decision about your treatment.
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Today, we finally had the opportunity to meet with the oncologist. We addressed all the questions lingering in our minds. Unfortunately, there is also a tumor detected on my father's right kidney. The report indicates it as "suspicious," raising concerns about a second primary cancer. It is not related to colorectal cancer. It is kidney renal cancer. I asked whether it was definitive, and if not, how we would determine it. The response was that a biopsy isn't conducted for that; there's a 90% chance that it is cancer. Therefore, we proceed with treatment as if it were cancer, but it's also necessary to consult a urologist. The cancer is classified as stage 1.
Despite the situation, I'm trying to stay optimistic, considering the 93% treatability rate I found online.
Regarding the rectal cancer, it's classified as stage 3. The oncologist mentioned a treatment success rate of over 70% if we opt for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. There's no invasion of the anal sphincter, and due to the tumor's location, a temporary colostomy will be required, no permanent one, which is another bright side for us. He added, without chemotherapy and surgery, the success rate drops to 50%. My father is inclined towards pursuing all treatment options.
Once we've consulted the urologist and radiation oncologist, a treatment plan will be determined—whether to begin with chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and then surgery, or to initiate radiotherapy with low-dose chemotherapy followed by surgery.
We were contemplating seeking a second opinion. The oncologist assured us that we have time; the rectal cancer's current stage won't suddenly progress to stage 4. However, we're hesitant to delay appointments with another set of specialists—urologist, radiation oncologist, and medical oncologist—to make a decision. It's a challenging decision to make. Additionally, I'm uncertain whether we need to consult all four doctors for a second opinion or just one. If only one, which specialist should it be? Another surgeon or a medical oncologist? We have another appointment scheduled with my father's surgeon on Thursday, and I'll inquire about his perspective then.