Recurrence? Biopsy?

itsallgood73
itsallgood73 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My surgeon and I spoke late last night for over a half an hour. He explained to me that the biopsy is not as easy as it sounds. The area they need to biopsy is on the outside of the rectum, so they either have to go in surgically, which he does not want to do, or it has to be done with a needle biopsy. This is also relatively risky because they could easily poke into the rectum, which would cause contamination, which would require emergency treatment and surgery. He is worried about hurting my new "rectum" he built given what he knows about me and how I do with surgeries...etc. SO, he wants to speak directly to the PET/CT radiologist to make sure he understands where the spot is, and also the interventional radiologist. IF he thinks they can get in there then I will have the needle biopsy done. They will put me to sleep and my surgeon will be present to insure that if they nick my bowel that he can fix it.

He is not overly worried about it being cancer, but wants to be vigilant since I am in this 5 year period of increased risk of recurrence. He says the + of doing a needle biopsy is that if we find cancer cells, then we have it and I would have surgery and probably chemo and get rid of it. However, if there is no cancer cells in the needle biopsy then we are sort of back to square one because he still would not rule out a cancer recurrence completely. He would re-scan in 6 months to check for any changes in the scan. Then, we may be in the exact same situation again...who knows.

I have appointments with both my surgeon and my oncologist on Thursday. My surgeon will do a scope just to check on things inside. I will have all my blood work done as well. Between the four doctors they will come up with a plan and we will decide what to do on Thursday. I would imagine that if we go ahead with the biopsy it will be in early March, after we get back from Florida. Unless they could squeeze me in before we go...

So, that is where we stand. We will decide after Thursday's meetings if/when we will go ahead with a second opinion.

Does this sound reasonable when compared to what some of you have gone through?

Thanks!

Comments

  • hopefulone
    hopefulone Member Posts: 1,043 Member
    #2
    It really sounds like your doc is really balancing being thorough and cautious. In my humble opinion, it sounds like a good balance. I wish you the best of luck . Please keep us posted and God Bless.

    Diane
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #3
    I am not sure where the area is that you are referring to, but they have been watching an area in the "presacral space" on me. Prior to my last surgery (colostomy) I said to the surgeon, can't you just cut it out. His response was it's not that easy. It's an area thats hard to get to and if it is cancer it could be attached to something. For one of my cat/pet scans I did have to drink the cat scan contrast and it was determined that the area is scar tissue and not tumor. I was also told it was a difficult area to biopsy. I am a nurse who works in inreventional radiology. On my last scan on Nov. it was noted that the area is smaller. YEAH. It has been decided it is scar tissue. I did not have the leg pains that you have. I had no symptoms. On 3/17 it will be 5 years since my diagnosis.

    Good luck and keep us posted. It sounds like your docs are on top of things, If there is any thing else that I can help you with let me know.

    Maureen
  • jerseysue
    jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
    #4
    Sounds like all your doctors are working together and that is really good news. Hope all goes well and you have a great trip to Florida.
  • valley
    valley Member Posts: 94
    #5
    HI
    One of the biopsies my husband had was a ct guarded needle biopsy. It came back negative for cancer cells.

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