Dr advises against surgery?

AHelstrup
AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
in Colorectal Cancer #1

Reading many posts looks like many do surgery and chemo.  But her dr is saying that surgery I often only aggravates it and that it should be the last alternative. Also. That if we do surgery that she will have a bag for the rest of her life.  Anyone else told this?  She is not getting a second opinion and jumping into treatment. 

 

Stage unknown

Comments

  • renw
    renw Member Posts: 282 Member
    #2
    Get a second and third
    Get a second and third opponion. Surgery is really the only officially recognized curative option for CRC.
    If you catch it at an early stage there is a high percentage of a cure. Once it metastizes and becomes stage 4, the odds are not good.
  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #3
    Depending on the location,

    Depending on the location, age of the patient, type of cancer, health of patient, may all determine surgery.   Unlikely surgery would spread cancer unless the patient has metastasis' in which case spread may be more likely with surgery.

     

    I would always get a second or third opinion with cancer. There are to many variables for one Doctor to have the correct opinion every time, or the correct experience every time.   If I had listened to the first Oncologist I spoke to, I would not be here today.

     

    Best Always,  mike

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #4
    Thank you

    I have suggested to my mom that even though she wants this out and wants to start ASAP that getting a second opinion is needed.  I would think that if we call another dr and day that she has already been diagnosed that we should be able to get in for an apt ASAP.  Suggestions on sites to find other drs in our location?

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #5
    Thank you

    I have suggested to my mom that even though she wants this out and wants to start ASAP that getting a second opinion is needed.  I would think that if we call another dr and day that she has already been diagnosed that we should be able to get in for an apt ASAP.  Suggestions on sites to find other drs in our location?

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #6
    Thank you

    I have suggested to my mom that even though she wants this out and wants to start ASAP that getting a second opinion is needed.  I would think that if we call another dr and day that she has already been diagnosed that we should be able to get in for an apt ASAP.  Suggestions on sites to find other drs in our location?

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #7
    Hi

    Can you give us a bit more information?  Age of patient.  Is patient in US, Canada, elsewhere?  What type of doctor told her this...GP, Gastro, Oncologist, Surgeon?

    It happens that sometimes a tumor will be too large or located in a signicant area where chemo/radiation is done first to help shrink the tumor so that surgery can be performed.

    For most, surgery is the ultimate goal because other treatments may not totally kill off the tumor. 

    I have to agree with what others have posted, get at least another opinion from someone not associated with the current doctor.

    As for having a bag for the rest of her life, I have had one for 3 years now and find that once you get past the intial learing to deal with it, an ostomy does not interfer with living life.  Having one has extended my life, so I have no complaints.

    Marie who loves kitties

  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #8
    AHelstrup –

     

    Having to have a pouching system is no big deal; it’s a life-changing event, but having been diagnosed with cancer is more of a life-changing event. (https://www.ostomy.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=2&sid=bb634bf1af5c79aca759b3086982a4be)

     

    Your mom should seek other opinions from colorectal surgeons that are not of the same group or organization as your present ones, prior to going further. Cancer treatment should not be rushed into, especially if based on only one person’s opinion.

     

    Surgery is usually the best option, since the surgeon can detect other problems during surgery that can not be detected by any other technology.

     

    Best hopes for you both.

     

    John

     

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #9
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi

    Can you give us a bit more information?  Age of patient.  Is patient in US, Canada, elsewhere?  What type of doctor told her this...GP, Gastro, Oncologist, Surgeon?

    It happens that sometimes a tumor will be too large or located in a signicant area where chemo/radiation is done first to help shrink the tumor so that surgery can be performed.

    For most, surgery is the ultimate goal because other treatments may not totally kill off the tumor. 

    I have to agree with what others have posted, get at least another opinion from someone not associated with the current doctor.

    As for having a bag for the rest of her life, I have had one for 3 years now and find that once you get past the intial learing to deal with it, an ostomy does not interfer with living life.  Having one has extended my life, so I have no complaints.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Gram is in her mid 70's and

    Gram is in her mid 70's and in the US.   I don't know who they met with.  She had a Colonoscopy Monday, dr called Wed, met with him Friday, CT this coming Monday and meeting w oncologist Wed to go over CT and treatment plan.  That tall really all we know.  

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #10
    Lovekitties said:

    Hi

    Can you give us a bit more information?  Age of patient.  Is patient in US, Canada, elsewhere?  What type of doctor told her this...GP, Gastro, Oncologist, Surgeon?

    It happens that sometimes a tumor will be too large or located in a signicant area where chemo/radiation is done first to help shrink the tumor so that surgery can be performed.

    For most, surgery is the ultimate goal because other treatments may not totally kill off the tumor. 

    I have to agree with what others have posted, get at least another opinion from someone not associated with the current doctor.

    As for having a bag for the rest of her life, I have had one for 3 years now and find that once you get past the intial learing to deal with it, an ostomy does not interfer with living life.  Having one has extended my life, so I have no complaints.

    Marie who loves kitties

    Gram is in her mid 70's and

    Gram is in her mid 70's and in the US.   I don't know who they met with.  She had a Colonoscopy Monday, dr called Wed, met with him Friday, CT this coming Monday and meeting w oncologist Wed to go over CT and treatment plan.  That tall really all we know.  

  • thxmiker
    thxmiker Member Posts: 1,278 Member
    #11
    AHelstrup said:

    Thank you

    I have suggested to my mom that even though she wants this out and wants to start ASAP that getting a second opinion is needed.  I would think that if we call another dr and day that she has already been diagnosed that we should be able to get in for an apt ASAP.  Suggestions on sites to find other drs in our location?

    I live in the Mountains in

    I live in the Mountains in the AZ and went to UCLA, USC, and UCSD.  USC and UCSD have more experience for my situation and I am under the care of USC and will have surgery at UCSD.  Not knowing where you live I can not make a recomendation other then my experience.   I do know there are Yellow Pages in most communities in the nation.  Your GP should be able to help you also.  Sugerbaker MD in DC, MD Anderson in Houston are good choices.

     

    Best Always, mike

  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #12
    VERY Important Decision...

    She should get a second opinion...

  • janderson1964
    janderson1964 Member Posts: 2,215 Member
    #13
    Get a second opinion. I have

    Get a second opinion. I have had colon cancer 3 times and did surgery first each time.

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #14
    Surgery first!

    Surgery doesn't 'aggravate cancer', it can CURE cancer.  Your Gram's doctor reminds me of my grandmother saying 'When air hits it, it starts to grow like crazy'.  

    Agree with 2nd opinion! Unless your grandmother is in poor health otherwise, surgery would be her best bet for a cure.

  • Lovekitties
    Lovekitties Member Posts: 3,364 Member
    #15
    AHelstrup said:

    Thank you

    I have suggested to my mom that even though she wants this out and wants to start ASAP that getting a second opinion is needed.  I would think that if we call another dr and day that she has already been diagnosed that we should be able to get in for an apt ASAP.  Suggestions on sites to find other drs in our location?

    National Cancer Institute Hospitals

    Here is a link to National Cancer Institute Hospitals by state:  http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/cancer-centers-list2.html

    It is a place to start looking for that second opinion.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #16
    PatchAdams said:

    Surgery first!

    Surgery doesn't 'aggravate cancer', it can CURE cancer.  Your Gram's doctor reminds me of my grandmother saying 'When air hits it, it starts to grow like crazy'.  

    Agree with 2nd opinion! Unless your grandmother is in poor health otherwise, surgery would be her best bet for a cure.

    One thing to remind your grandma...

    is that most colon cancers are pretty slow growing.  It's very normal for us to want to take action ASAP, but she really does have time to get a 2nd opinion.  My other question...does she have someone going with her to see the doctor?  Very important to have a second set of ears there, writing down what the doctor says.  These first appointments are way too overwhelming to do alone, if it is at all avoidable!  Keep us posted on how she's doing, and let her know we're thinking of her.  Ann Alexandria

    PS  FWIW, I am in remission only due to surgery.  Chemo never worked for me at all.  It's seems odd for a doc to say that surgery can make things worse, imo.

  • AHelstrup
    AHelstrup Member Posts: 22
    #17
    It was the surgon they met

    It was the surgon they met with on Friday.  My mom and uncle will both be going with her to Wed appointment.  

  • KayeKay
    KayeKay Member Posts: 122
    #18
    janderson1964 said:

    Get a second opinion. I have

    Get a second opinion. I have had colon cancer 3 times and did surgery first each time.

    i concur with j. twice
    • i concur with j. twice experienced here and surgery twice both times.
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #19
    PatchAdams said:

    Surgery first!

    Surgery doesn't 'aggravate cancer', it can CURE cancer.  Your Gram's doctor reminds me of my grandmother saying 'When air hits it, it starts to grow like crazy'.  

    Agree with 2nd opinion! Unless your grandmother is in poor health otherwise, surgery would be her best bet for a cure.

    Second Opinion First!

    I'm all for surgery but sometimes it's better to try to shrink tumors first, then operate. The second opinion can make the difference between a long life and a short one. Every case is unique.

    I did chemo first after getting a second opinion. That was over 9 years ago. I have little doubt that if I didn't get the second opinion and a different plan that I'd be using a Ouiji Board right now to post...

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