Radiation choices

thready

I went to the Radiation Onc today. My "regular onc" sent me because she wanted to make sure we were covering all our bases. The radiation onc said that people that have colon cancer low in the decending side of the colon and if the tumor has left the bowel are often given radiation where the tumor was because of the chance of miroscopic cells still being there. The radiation oncologist told me today that the tumor was actually right at the pelvis level, getting close to the end of all things colon. (We knew it had invaded tissue outside of the bowel) This is not so good news when I thought the tumor was up in the area between the transverse colon and the decending colon.

Well I have been trying not to but on my nurse hat because then I would "know too much" and I have been trying to let those who deal with this have there way but all this radiation thing has sent me WAY OVER the edge.

I had surgery on 9/14. Chemo started 10/28. They want to start radiation the end of April and if my limited mental capacity will let me do math I figure when radiation starts it will be 7 months since surgery so the little cancer cells in the fat tissue that might have been left behind have been camping out for some time. That seems like a long time for stupid little cancer cells to sit around! Do I do radiation just in case there are any of these cells sitting there or do I take my chances. Now I am a crazy nut case, but at least I had the abiltiy to call the University Hospital and make an appointment with one of the smart people there. Appointment for second opinion is 2/1/09
HELP!!!
Any thoughts? Thanks
from one who is now an aboslutley carzy nut case Jan

lcarper2

choices
WOW that is deep I am not the sharpest tool in the shed but I had a soft ball size tumor on my colon that had gone through the wall of the colon and my colon, tumor , reworked my intestines removed 34 nodes 19 were cancerous 3 days post op I was cancer free with no signs of any other organ effected I am half way through chemo now and my onc said not to do radition because it can do more harm than good in alot of people so I would get another opion before I did it if I were you. Radition is very hard on some people...good luck will pray for you.

NWGirl

My tumor was right where the colon/rectum meet
All I can share is that my tumor (also about softball size) was right where the colon/rectum meet. I had surgery first - as they didn't think any lymph nodes were involved (I had tons of tests to come up with this plan). After surgery - they found that LOTS of lymph nodes were affected - so I had 4 rounds of FOLFOX and then off to radiation for 30 rounds of radiation while wearing the 5FU pump 24/7. After radiation I had another 8 rounds of chemo.

Radiation is no fun - period, especially for women. So a second opinion is definitely a good idea. What I can tell you, is that my original surgery was in November 2007. So far - knock on wood - I remain cancer free. Was it the surgery? The chemo? The radiation? A combination of all three? I don't know. I do know that despite the difficulties I've had getting through the treatment, I would do the same thing again under the same circumstances.

I've been told that rectal cancer has a higher rate of reccurrence than colon cancer; I guess because of the number of lymph nodes in that area. My radiation doc also said that as you get closer to the rectum, things are more "packed in" - vs. other areas of the colon where it's more free floating - so to speak. It's harder for surgeons to get clear margins and get out all they need to when you get into the area where the rectum is.

I have no advice other than to make sure you have the best understanding you can of your situation so that you can make an educated decision on what is best for you.

Mchapp

NWGirl said:

My tumor was right where the colon/rectum meet
All I can share is that my tumor (also about softball size) was right where the colon/rectum meet. I had surgery first - as they didn't think any lymph nodes were involved (I had tons of tests to come up with this plan). After surgery - they found that LOTS of lymph nodes were affected - so I had 4 rounds of FOLFOX and then off to radiation for 30 rounds of radiation while wearing the 5FU pump 24/7. After radiation I had another 8 rounds of chemo.

Radiation is no fun - period, especially for women. So a second opinion is definitely a good idea. What I can tell you, is that my original surgery was in November 2007. So far - knock on wood - I remain cancer free. Was it the surgery? The chemo? The radiation? A combination of all three? I don't know. I do know that despite the difficulties I've had getting through the treatment, I would do the same thing again under the same circumstances.

I've been told that rectal cancer has a higher rate of reccurrence than colon cancer; I guess because of the number of lymph nodes in that area. My radiation doc also said that as you get closer to the rectum, things are more "packed in" - vs. other areas of the colon where it's more free floating - so to speak. It's harder for surgeons to get clear margins and get out all they need to when you get into the area where the rectum is.

I have no advice other than to make sure you have the best understanding you can of your situation so that you can make an educated decision on what is best for you.

Just finished radiation
My journey began on June 4, 2009 (stage llb)...started Folfox July 20....completed 8 rounds and my medical oncologist and radiation oncologist put the radiation in after the 8 rounds...radiation began Nov 30 and I finished 25 fractions on Jan 3....with Xeloda on board...
the colonrectal surgeon said they could not tell me if there were or were not any microscopy cells hanging out.....so I did treatment
really did fine with radiation....the Xeloda did a number with level 4 diarrhea....so 10 days off of it - and decreased dose when restarted...
now a small holiday off of treatment and finish the last 4 rounds of chemo beginning Feb 1...
my tumor was at the distal end of the sigmoid....
I work for the American Cancer Society and ALL the docs I have met and have gone over my plan suggested this route for me....no, it's not a cake walk - but I want to kill any cells that are dancing around....

Sundanceh

Radiation is Tough
Hi Jan

Glad you got a laugh on the other post - thought it would make Peggy laugh

Radiation is tough - NWGirl mentioned it is tough on women, but just for the record, it is very difficult on Men as well - there is all sorts of collateral damage done in that area for both sexes, but the bottom line is both men and women have only one EXIT out of that area and our anatomy dictates which route that is. And it not a party for either of us.

I've read with interest about how several women have had it and the problems they encountered. It was fascinating to hear about the women's experiences. I've never heard the Men mention too much about it, so I've never posted what happened to me during my 25x treatments. Perhaps one day the forum will open and I'll add my experience.

I did it to save my life and to shrink the tumor enough to allow a resection instead of a colostomy - we only a couple of cms to work with, so we had to get it as small as we could.

I've had both the General External Radiation and the CyberKnife radio surgery (highly concentrated radiation) both. CyberKnife was easier, but it was too my liver, and not my colon.

Radiation will make you more fatigued than you have ever felt in your life - you're going to be sleeping - ALOT! You'll begin to feel more energy about 4-weeks after treatments stop. For me, though, it tore up my entire insides and BMs were a nightmare - you would see your intestinal lining coming out. And there will be sexual dysfunction and pain for both parties as well. (They don't tell you that). But you have to do what you have to do to save your life - and so we have to begin the bartering process and trade this for that.

When I look back, to that day 6-years ago, I ask myself what I would do differently - and I still can't come up with an answer.

I'll be very interested to see what UTSW has to say about this.

I like to be honest in my points and hope I have not scared you, but just wanted to be truthful - besides you're a Texas gal, Darlin' and I care about you and how your life will be.

Just think it over carefully and weigh the opinions of the onc - and then go with your "gut" on what you think will be best.

What's the old adage? "We do not get out of this world unscarred."

Such is the Life of a Semi;Colon

-Craig

tiny one

radiation
I had a low cancerous polyp removed. I had a temporary ileostomy for 10 months. I had 5 1/2 wks of chemo and radiation. Then 6 months of chemo. I am cancer free, it will soon be 3 years. The radiation caused narrowing in the rectal area, which has made my reversal very difficult. I have vaginal shortening, no longer have relations. I am 51 years old. Ask lots of questions, then you will have to make your decision.

coloCan

tiny one said:

radiation
I had a low cancerous polyp removed. I had a temporary ileostomy for 10 months. I had 5 1/2 wks of chemo and radiation. Then 6 months of chemo. I am cancer free, it will soon be 3 years. The radiation caused narrowing in the rectal area, which has made my reversal very difficult. I have vaginal shortening, no longer have relations. I am 51 years old. Ask lots of questions, then you will have to make your decision.

My radiation was prior to surgery
To help reduce tumor in rectum, I had 30 days of radiation and five weeks of chemo prior to colostomy after which more chemo, which I'm still doing. Radiation was no picnic and got worse as time went by, especially the burn (redness) on **** (if you're lying on back, like I was). You'll feel it most for a few weeks AFTER radiation ends. Diahreaa and fatigue were other problems but the chemo added to this as well. Best of results....Steve

Unknown

coloCan said:

My radiation was prior to surgery
To help reduce tumor in rectum, I had 30 days of radiation and five weeks of chemo prior to colostomy after which more chemo, which I'm still doing. Radiation was no picnic and got worse as time went by, especially the burn (redness) on **** (if you're lying on back, like I was). You'll feel it most for a few weeks AFTER radiation ends. Diahreaa and fatigue were other problems but the chemo added to this as well. Best of results....Steve

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robinvan

Hi Jan
I was diagnosed with CC over 5 years ago, stage 4 with liver mets. The primary tumour was very low in the descending colon, very near the rectum. After colon and liver resections, chemo, and a small liver recurrence that was treated with RFA I was NED. I thought it was all over when I was diagnosed with a local recurrence at the original site this past fall. There must have been some microscopic cells that chemo missed. The margins were clear after the original surgery and there was no local spread outside the colon at the time. The recurrence was on the outside of the colon and had spread to the sacrum. Not good!

My understanding is that radiation is fairly standard when it is in the rectum because of the higher possibility of "local recurrence". Looking back on my own situation I wish I'd been treated "as if" it were rectal and received the radiation at that time. If only!

I did have radiation last fall. I had only 15 sessions and didn't get hit as hard as Craig.

Peace and blessings... Rob; in Vancouver

“Life is short,and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So let us be swift to love, and let us make haste to show kindness.”
Henri Amiel

raybu1960

Hi Jan,
I wish you grace and
Hi Jan,
I wish you grace and peace in your decision. I am one who has travelled this journey too. Diagnosed in 10/09, stage 3 rectal about 4 cm from the anal verge. Had early 6 week chemorad w/the painful Bm's and burning. Then the surgery to remove what little , thankfully, remained with an ileostomy to protect the rejoined place. Then 8 rounds of FOLFOX. I thought it was all over but to my utter devastation my wife has come down with the exact same cancer!!! So seeing her now almost finish her early chemorad at least in my thinking radiation is harder on the female. I have held her hand, served her at bedside and she is the bravest most beautiful woman I have ever known. She will have a more extensive surgery than I because in addition to the cancer a large uterine fibroid must come out with a simultaneous hysterectomy. My hope for you dear Jan is wisdom and if you choose to take the treatment much grace to come through it with the same determination and inner strength as my dear wife. -your fellow traveller-Ray