Partial Tumor Abortion?

airborne72

Everyone: 

This is somewhat gross, but then again, so is cancer.  I am two weeks into chemo and radiation for a rectal tumor.  Earlier today I passed a large tissue during a bowel movement.  It clearly was not feces.

Is this common?  Should I be concerned or is this proof positive that the Xeloda and gamma rays are having a positive effect on my tumor?

 

Jim

Trubrit

I passed so much tissue during radiation, that I could have built a house. I was told by a member here that it was from the lining of the rectum, colon, bowel. I don't know what you are passing is acutal tumour, or just tissue. I had already had my tumour excised, so I knew it wasn't that for me. 

Either way, it never hurts to talk to you Oncologist, espeically your Radiation Oncologist, as I'm betting its the radiation that is causing it. 

Good luck as you work your way through treatments. 

Tru

beaumontdave

I think I was passing tissue

I think I was passing tissue before diagnosis. Other than the ribbon of blood, I was noticing clear, ripply stuff in the bowl. Later when the doctor said it seem old and 'crusty' I assumed the tumor was just shedding layers over time......................................Dave

darcher

I'll be on the same treatment

I'll be on the same treatment in about a week so I'll have that to look forward to I suppose.  It's probably the digestive tract cells including the tumor being killed off , accumilating, and then going out the exit door.  At least it's got a  fairly simple path to leave. That makes me wonder.  What about the chemo affects on the rest of the body outside this area?  There must be a lot of clean up work the body has to do in order to dispose of it all. 

 

NHMike

Me too

I start chemorad on Monday and can't wait. The mass in the rectum is really annoying. I would definitely know if it were gone. If you're lost the tumor, then I think that's a good sign. I asked the surgeon and onco why they couldn't remove the tumor or part of it. They indicated that it could leak stuff out (though it's already leaking stuff out) and that it would grow back. I'd just like it to be smaller to make BMs easier.

For Tubrit, how did you get it excised before chemorad? Did you just ask your surgeon or GI guy? I only have five days before starting so I'm hoping I can make it through until then but I can't be the only person that wishes the tumor were smaller.

Trubrit

NHMike said:

Me too

I start chemorad on Monday and can't wait. The mass in the rectum is really annoying. I would definitely know if it were gone. If you're lost the tumor, then I think that's a good sign. I asked the surgeon and onco why they couldn't remove the tumor or part of it. They indicated that it could leak stuff out (though it's already leaking stuff out) and that it would grow back. I'd just like it to be smaller to make BMs easier.

For Tubrit, how did you get it excised before chemorad? Did you just ask your surgeon or GI guy? I only have five days before starting so I'm hoping I can make it through until then but I can't be the only person that wishes the tumor were smaller.

No choice

Hello NJMike

I had no choice, as my tumour was large and almost rupturing through the wall, which would have been 'lights out' for me. So, they did a bowel resection and then, after healing for two months, started me on chemo, then chemo and radiation.  

I have since had a liver ablation, but I'm three years out from that and almost five years since diagnosis. 

It is true that they would rather shrink the tumour because of the threat of spreading, and that is wise. 

I wish you the best as you start your chemo journey. May it be as side-effect free as possible. What cocktail will you be on? I was on FOLFOX and 5FU. 

Tru