1. < Colorectal Cancer
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Just diagnosed: Surgery not an option, looking for hope

Posted by vcsongradi @vcsongradi, Feb 8, 2025

Went in for my first colonoscopy in December, F age 58. Had negative Cologuards for the last 4 or 5 years. My PCP gave me a FIT test in September which came back positive. Colonoscopy revealed a rectal mass (close to the sigmoid colon junction) she said was typical cancer presentation. Had some abdominal pain and went to ER. PET scan found mets to liver and both lungs, stage IV. Colorectal surgeon told me that surgery, "would not benefit me." Oncologist gave me 2 to 3 years prognosis, said treatment would be palliative and not curative, and surgery, "would never be an option." Started FOLFOX + Mvasi in January; just finished my 2nd round. CEA was initially 58, and is now 46, so that is good news I think. Don't really have a question, just looking for some hope from the stories of other people.

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jolw | @jolw | 2 days ago
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @jolw and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Hello @jolw and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I can certainly understand your concern about the extensive surgery that is now being recommended. As @kristyc mentioned, getting another opinion at this time might be in your best interests. Here is a Newfeed from Mayo Clinic regarding the value in getting a second opinion when you are dealing with cancer treatment:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/tips-for-seeking-a-second-opinion/
I would encourage you to read this Newsfeed and then seek out a second opinion from a well-known cancer center. Have you considered a second opinion?

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@hopeful33250, thank you. At the beginning of my diagnosis I did get a second opinion but it was from a Dr in the same group that the original Dr belonged to, so then I sought out a third opinion from a Cancer center here in CO. They had the same plan Folfox, radiation, surgery, more chemo, as soon as possible. It just feels like I am miss something treatment option wise. I do not want to believe surgery is my only option. But....Maybe it is. I will read the info you provided. Thank you kindly.

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premi | @premi | 1 day ago
In reply to @jolw "Hello everyone, I am a 68 yr old woman and was diagnosed in Feb. 2026 with..." + (show)
Profile picture for jolw @jolw

Hello everyone,
I am a 68 yr old woman and was diagnosed in Feb. 2026 with an inside rectal tumor stage 3C. I can't recall the size, however it was big and covered 1/3 of the area. I underwent radiation and 1 month of capesideabien pills before I became extremely reactive to them and had to stop all chemo. I also underwent 36 sessions of radiation. Just had my scans, biopsies and sigmoid to find out that no cancer cells were found, however there is a sliver of tumor left that the Drs are concerned about. They are suggesting removal of rectum and bowls and all lymph nodes. Which I forgot to mentions lymphs are very tiny now. I can't see going through all this surgery and recovery at my age. I am sure someone out there has gone through this. Do I get a second opinion? Id like to hear your story. thanks JO.

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@jolw
I was 65 when rectal cancer 3b was diagnosed in 2017.I went through concurrent Chemo and radiation for 28 days.Waited for ten weeks. The PET showed significant reduction with what looked like positive nodes.Went through a surgery where the sigmoid and rectum were removed with removal of all lymph nodes.Went for a total hysterectomy with two thirds of vagina removal as the tumour was on the anterior wall of rectum which means a local spread was a possibility.My descending colon was brought down to form a J shaped pouch and it was attached to the anal canal. If I had not opted for it the next option was a permanent colostomy bag..A temporary ileostomy bag was kept for three months and then it was reversed. Fortunately in pathology all the lymph nodes were negative. If they had not come positive in PET the sigmoid would have been saved.
I refused to take a post OP 6 weeks chemo as nodes were negative and anyway the tumour was removed.
Having fairly a good quality of life except for the frequency of stools.It is due to the movement of descending colon designed that way and both the storage areas,sigmoid and rectum gone.Skipping chemo gave me a better quality of life,which was a gamble and maybe God and me rolled the dice together.
If the second opinion can be received early enough,get it.
You had written rectum and bowel.Can you get that part clarified. If you have no associated medical disorders ,don’t worry about extensive surgery.In skilled hands it is less traumatic than chemo and radiation.Getting rid of the tumour should be priority.
Please plunge into it with all the courage and all of us here will keep wishing you the best of recovery and quality of life

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