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Rectal Cancer - Hospital Recommendation
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Apr 7, 2024 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
In discussions of cancer, so many begin or end their comments saying that, "we will see what the Oncologist has to say".
It is entirely predictable what the Oncologist is going to say!
One famously said to me, and smiling, "We need to get you in here and get you hooked up!"
Why have chemo and/or radiation
before a surgery .... ? You will still need the surgery and be scheduled for chemo after the surgery!
Paul
Replies to "In discussions of cancer, so many begin or end their comments saying that, "we will see..."
If only making a decision could be this easy. There is a lot of information out there.
"If... those patients can skip radiation."
"If...those patient can skip surgery, but... watch and wait..."
"micrometastasis, TNT, adjuvant, neoadjuvant..."
What I know so far is that relying solely on surgery decreases the 5-year survival rate. Lymph node involvement is a concern, and without shrinking the tumor, surgery becomes difficult and poses a risk for recurrence. On the other hand, even the colorectal surgeon did not recommend undergoing surgery before trying other therapies.
There is 20%-30% chance we may skip surgery if there is a complete response. Do we want to skip the surgery? We are not sure because it brings its own risks.
It is really difficult to know what option is the best.
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I completely agree with Paul! And the radiation will make him so much more vulnerable. I was in the same situation, and I had five short courses of radiation to shrink the tumor as much as possible before surgery. Three weeks after surgery I started my chemo, no more radiation.