Stage 4 chemo & surgery

cypriot

Hello everyone. I got diagnosed with stage 4 upper rectal carcinoma with multiple bilobar mets (nearly 15). I had 13 cycles of chemo mainly folfox + cetuximab. My baseline cea was 295. Now it is 1.9 with regression of the tumor into a flat redness in rectoscopy. Liver mets also regressed. Only 4-5 visible scar like lesions with no contrast uptake and no diffusion restriction. In the mesorectal fascia there are some 3 lymph nodes with one being 9mm. My oncologist wants to go on with chemo for 3-6 months. But when I asked 2nd opinion in another center, their tumor board decided surgery-simultaneous rectum resection and open liver ablation. Any experiences or suggestions on this situation? Thank you.

MAbound

Hi Cypriot. You might get more answers/suggestions if you repost this on the colorectal board. This is the board for uterine cancer, so all I can say is that if you can't decide between the two opinions you have, you may want to try for a third consult. Doing that is not outside the realm of what others have done. This is a very important decision you are needing to make without being the expert, but different doctors and facilities can offer different options to you and so it never hurts to get 2nd or even 3rd opinions. As a stage 4, being operable at this point is your best shot at a cure, but what you want to put yourself through given other factors such as your age and overall health matters, too. Continuing on chemo and other drugs can keep you going like the energizer bunny, but it's not easy being on these drugs for a long time, either. It's a rock and a hard place decision you are facing, so you may find additional imput helpful.

MAbound

Oops, sorry, it was me on the wrong board!🙃