Partner has stage 4 rectal cancer with one small met to sacrum

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LauraCF
LauraCF Member Posts: 27
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Last February my partner was declared NED after over a year of treatment for what we though was a stage 3 rectal tumour.  A couple of months ago a PET scan revealed a small tumour in the sacrum that apparetly was just visible in the original scans lest year but was somehow missed.  Bloodwork still shows no evidence of disease, and no other tumours are visible anywhere else in the body. 

Because this tumour seems to be chemo-resistant, it looks like the only real treatment option is surgery to remove the entire sacrum.  This might provide life extension and pain relief, and there is even a small chance of cure.

Does anyone know anything about this surgery?  I know this is a rare situation, so it's really difficult to find out anything about it. 

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  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited December 2016 #2
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    I know nothing about this

    I know nothing about this particular surgery. All I know is that surgery is the first and best chance of getting rid of cancer. Anything else is seondary. I wish the best for your partner.

    Jan 

  • LauraCF
    LauraCF Member Posts: 27
    #3
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    Thanks! We're really pleased

    Thanks! We're really pleased that there is surgery.  At first we were given to understand we had no options but palliative chemo.  THis has given us some hope.  The surgery is awful, though.  

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    #4
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    I had it done

    I had a tumor inside my abdomen but close to the sacrum so they took it out rather than going in again through the front.  The incision is hidden in the butt crack. They took out the sacrum and then went inside and took out the tumor.  Recovery took 6-8 weeks, mostly because I could not sit down.  He bumped around my rectum so I had problems controlling my bowels and sat on chucks for about a week.  Then very small cat poop, eventually went back to normal took 6-8 weeks for that as well.  I had problems healing and had to have the incision packed for a week or so, it was a very small opening.  Sitting down is painful and I sat on my hip a lot or laid on my stomach, driving was also difficult because it hurt. Best of luck to your partner.  Never a fun thing, but not the worst and as others have said surgery is the best chance at a cure or at least a long remission.  Traci

  • LauraCF
    LauraCF Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016 #5
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    traci43 said:

    I had it done

    I had a tumor inside my abdomen but close to the sacrum so they took it out rather than going in again through the front.  The incision is hidden in the butt crack. They took out the sacrum and then went inside and took out the tumor.  Recovery took 6-8 weeks, mostly because I could not sit down.  He bumped around my rectum so I had problems controlling my bowels and sat on chucks for about a week.  Then very small cat poop, eventually went back to normal took 6-8 weeks for that as well.  I had problems healing and had to have the incision packed for a week or so, it was a very small opening.  Sitting down is painful and I sat on my hip a lot or laid on my stomach, driving was also difficult because it hurt. Best of luck to your partner.  Never a fun thing, but not the worst and as others have said surgery is the best chance at a cure or at least a long remission.  Traci

    Thanks so much for the reply!

    Thanks so much for the reply!  We had thought the recovery time was several months, so this is good news.  We've also found out that they aren;t taking out the entire sacrum as the tumour is small low on the sacrum.

    When did you have the surgery, and is sitting down still painful?

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    edited December 2016 #6
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    Dear Friend,

    3 years ago I was operated on to remove the rectal cancer. Because of its proximity to the tail bone they had to remove som bone as well. Not a big chunk to cause any complications. As you know there are many important nerves running through the sacrum that can be damaged causing all kinds of complications. 

    Is radiation not an option anymore?

    Laz

  • LauraCF
    LauraCF Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016 #7
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    It's been decided that he's

    It's been decided that he's already had the maximum amount of radiation.  We know about all of the nasty complications, but we feel that it would be worth it to have a few more years together. 

  • traci43
    traci43 Member Posts: 773 Member
    edited December 2016 #8
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    LauraCF said:

    Thanks so much for the reply!

    Thanks so much for the reply!  We had thought the recovery time was several months, so this is good news.  We've also found out that they aren;t taking out the entire sacrum as the tumour is small low on the sacrum.

    When did you have the surgery, and is sitting down still painful?

    Surgery in Oct 2012

    The surgery was in October 2012 and I was out 8 weeks I think.  I could sit by then although I was not always comfortable, but enough that I could work at a desk.  I have no pain now, and haven't in a long, long time.  Traci

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