1. < Colorectal Cancer
Profile picture for ttetrick

Surgery at Mayo or Locally?

Posted by ttetrick @ttetrick, 1 day ago

All,
Just had a colonoscopy at age 45 and they found a mass is the sigmoid. Took a biopsy (still waiting to confirm, but the doctor said it looks malignant). CT scan was all good which is a relief.

I’m trying to prepare for the next steps if cancer is confirmed. Mayo is where I’d like to go but it is a significant flight away from home.

For the initial surgery, which I must have whether cancer is confirmed or not, is it important to have it done at Mayo if it is cancer? Or, does getting the mass removed by a colorectal surgeon locally and then going to Mayo for additional cancer/required treatment make more sense? Recovery time and distance away from my family are what I am trying evaluate.

I’m completely new at this and am just trying to hear from all of you. I’m so amazed by the number of brave and compassionate people on this board from reading your comments.

God bless all of you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for gap1
gap1 | @gap1 | 1 day ago

I have never posted before! However, I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2025 and eight weeks later was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I was a 67 year old female at diagnosis.

I chose to have my three surgeries in four months at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. I have flown eight times in eight months. The surgeons at Mayo do a lot of surgery, thus, they are very good at it. Additionally, the Mayo checks for negative margins in real time while you are in surgery. This is critical for optimal results. I would also like to point out that Mayo nurses are in a class by themselves...and they take care of you.

Should your treatment require radiation in the future, you will be in line. I had a Mayo oncologist tell me, "You can have chemo anywhere, but radiation needs to be at the Mayo." I had five days of rectal radiation prior to ileostomy surgery. I also had fifteen days of breast radiation after total right mastectomy.

One additional consideration, the Mayo business office goes to bat for you when confronted with insurance issues.

I reside in a location with three comprehensive cancer centers; but I still chose surgery and radiation at the Mayo; and am very happy I did.

Sending Mayo magic your way.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for nycmusic
nycmusic | @nycmusic | 1 day ago
In reply to @gap1 "I have never posted before! However, I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I was..." + (show)
Profile picture for gap1 @gap1

I have never posted before! However, I feel compelled to comment on this topic. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2025 and eight weeks later was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I was a 67 year old female at diagnosis.

I chose to have my three surgeries in four months at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. I have flown eight times in eight months. The surgeons at Mayo do a lot of surgery, thus, they are very good at it. Additionally, the Mayo checks for negative margins in real time while you are in surgery. This is critical for optimal results. I would also like to point out that Mayo nurses are in a class by themselves...and they take care of you.

Should your treatment require radiation in the future, you will be in line. I had a Mayo oncologist tell me, "You can have chemo anywhere, but radiation needs to be at the Mayo." I had five days of rectal radiation prior to ileostomy surgery. I also had fifteen days of breast radiation after total right mastectomy.

One additional consideration, the Mayo business office goes to bat for you when confronted with insurance issues.

I reside in a location with three comprehensive cancer centers; but I still chose surgery and radiation at the Mayo; and am very happy I did.

Sending Mayo magic your way.

Jump to this post

@gap1 excellent post ! I live in Manhattan and do all my medical things at NYPresbyterian, a great medical center ! And everything was well coordinated, like you describe at Mayo… getting various aspects of treatments in different small places also has its challenges…wishing you the best !

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.