MRI and Robotic for Rectal

I have not heard of Robotic being used for removal of a rectal tumor, but that doesn't mean it hasn't been done.  Mine was the full incission.

I guess a lot depends on what they beleive to be the position and size of the tumor and how confident they are that there is no other involvement.

Not sure about the MRI either.  Normal process is CT and or PET with contrast to determine any cancer sites.  The contrast component being what causes the cancer sites to illuminate.  No test can guarantee finding all spots.

The pros for Robotic are that it is less invasive and has a quicker recovery time.  The con is that the surgeon has a limited field of view to spot any other questionable spots which might not have shown up on the scans.

Since you have already had multiple surgeons look at his case, you just have to make a choice you can feel comfortable with now and in the future, no matter what that future is.  No second guessing, if only we had chosen differently.

Wishing hubby best outcome no matter which option chosen.

Marie who loves kitties

I had my rectal cancer removed(APR) 2.5 years ago. They removed the rectum and the anus and now I have colostomy. They also took one of my abdominal muscle, folded it down and filled the space where the rectum used to be. This way my intestines will not sink into the pelvic area. 

The pelvic space is very tight and hard to operate by hand. However if they cannot save his anus, the visibility is good from the bottom and they can do the robotic surgery. 

I highly recommend the abdominal muscle flap if they cannot save his anus. They can close the bottom up better. Otherwise he is not gonna have a "crack", the radiated skin may not heal as well and he might have complication with the intestinal prolapse. 

If they can save the anus robitic surgery is better in my opinion. 

Dont let them operate on him for 10-12 weeks after radiation. Radiation still is killing the cancer for 2 more months. Also start taking at least 2x400mg/day Cimetidine (over the counter) 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after the surgery to lower the risk of the cancer spreading. 

Good lick,

Laz

Jen1988 said:

Cimetidine

Dear Laz,

Thank you for your advise. All 3 said that they can save the anus,.. he will need to get ileostomy. They want to do operation between 6-8 weeks but i will ask if they can do at 10 weeks as you have suggested in previous posting. 

I am also interesested in giving Cimetidine for hubby. Do i need to get permission from the onc or the surgeon? I see that it's over the counter... just curious if your doctor gave you suggestion or you do it on your own? Also ... 2 weeks before surgery,.. did you take it until the surgery date? and 2 weeks after surgery for how long?

Thank you again for your kind support

Jenny

An analogy..(?)

When my wife suffered a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, her (very experienced) brain surgeon said he didn’t do robotic surgery. The method of “robotically” inserting a tiny “coil spring” device inside the vein to stop the bleeding was suggested by another surgeon, but rejected by her surgeon. He said that if anything went wrong during the procedure, it would have to be reversed, with time lost and possible life-threatening complications.

And, he continued, with open surgery if there is anything else that should be taken care of, he would be able to see it while performing the open surgery.

He was 100% right. He went in between the two frontal lobes where the rupture was, and found that there was a second ruptured aneurysm directly below the vein he was to repair. He repaired both ruptures at that time.

That….. is the benefit of an “open surgery” versus using the “latest and greatest”.

(and of course, the added benefit of saving money with the “BoGo” special)

(ha)

I would go with the surgeon with the most experience and the most knowledge; new technology isn’t always the best technology.

Oh, by the way…. Make sure that the surgeon leaves the “sphincter muscle” intact, anus or no anus. That has been said to make life 1,000,000 times better after that kind of removal…. You can get more info regarding that procedure at the United Ostomy Association of America (UOAA) website!

Be well. You both have my very best wishes.

John