Hello. I had a colon cancer diagnosis on Feb.5. Even though some preliminary assessment is done at the time of biopsy, your tumor can only be correctly staged , once it’s out of you and with a pathology lab. I scoured facilities in both Canada and the U.S. I can share a few facts to help you.
1. It’s in your best interest to get it out asap.
2. You will have to have surgery (and chemo, if the cancer has breached the colon wall).
3. Never underestimate the advanced clinical management that you have in the U.S.; both in terms of pre-op and post op pain & infection management. This would be a mistake.
4. If you have reasonable Medicare coverage, the likelihood of you having great follow up is best in the U.S.
5. Many other countries do not have the resources to do extensive pathology/histology patient specific testing.
This is my experience after many face to face meetings, 20 pages of notes, a medical background and an ability to understand published medical papers.