Rectal Cancer
Comments
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Hi Z, It is rectal cancer. Started Rad and Chemo yesterday the drugs are alittle different for the 2 types of cancers. Xeloda pills and Oxyplatin IV 28 zapsof radiation. Good luck to you. Lauraz said:462It
Hi 462It,
Do you have rectal or anal cancer? I am a anal cancer survivor Stage II NOMO. The cancer was right at the anal verge. I was treated with the standard treatment (Nigro), of 2 96 hour drip cycles of 5FU, with an infustion of mytomicin on 1st chemo day, along with 30 radiation zaps. I completed treatment on 6-30-09 and show NED to date. With your cancer being 1 cm from the anal verge, and from what I understand the anal canal is 4 inches long, I was just wondering why it is considered rectal cancer. I know that the tx is different for rectal. With anal cancer the tx used to be immediate colostomy, which this was decades ago. Lori0 -
Found your old postesdschreffler said:Welcome and yes, you'll find
Welcome and yes, you'll find a lot of good input on this board as well as the colon club forum. I just had my surgery for a T3, Nx,M0 yesterday.
This thread shows the soul searching on APR vs other options: http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11804
Just a limited perspective with a lot of links to research so you can make your own decisions. What I chose may not be the best for anyone but me, but at least you can see the decsion processes and some research by a few folk agonizing ;-) over the treatment/surgical options.
The last few posts get a bit passionate and off topic, so best read in order from beginning.
A ton of other posts on this board and colonclub on quality of life and surgical options.
I wish you the best!
I read your old post and liked your whole decision making on the surgury options. I hope all worked out and you are recovering nicely. Laura0 -
Laura462lt said:Hi Z, It is rectal cancer. Started Rad and Chemo yesterday the drugs are alittle different for the 2 types of cancers. Xeloda pills and Oxyplatin IV 28 zapsof radiation. Good luck to you. Laura
Hi Laura,
Thank you for replying. I hope your treatment will zoom by and the cancer will be destroyed. I post on the anal cancer discussion group. When I 1st came to the Cancer Survivors Network there was no anal cancer discussion group, and then JDuke had the ACS set one up. Anal cancer is rare. There is some good advice for creams and ointments to use as you go through the radiation zaps. I'm sure your radiologist would recomend some to you, and the proper time to use them. I never used any before my radiation tx, because that will cause you to burn more. I took baths everyday which was soothing. I really didn't have pain from the radiation until the 3rd week. I took 4 pain meds a day, which I could have taken 12, but the 4 was the right amount for me. I wish you well, and please take a look at the anal cancer board, theres a lot of surviovors there. Lori0 -
Welcome Laura
Hi Laura,
Welcome to the board. I've already seen some of your other replies to posts. I wish you all the best with your surgery and follow up.
I'll look forward to hearing more from you. I was diagnosed in August 2007, and have been on this board since approx Dec. 2008- wish I found it earlier, but it's been great- everyone here is great. Take care and God bless-
Lisa0 -
Thanks Zz said:Laura
Hi Laura,
Thank you for replying. I hope your treatment will zoom by and the cancer will be destroyed. I post on the anal cancer discussion group. When I 1st came to the Cancer Survivors Network there was no anal cancer discussion group, and then JDuke had the ACS set one up. Anal cancer is rare. There is some good advice for creams and ointments to use as you go through the radiation zaps. I'm sure your radiologist would recomend some to you, and the proper time to use them. I never used any before my radiation tx, because that will cause you to burn more. I took baths everyday which was soothing. I really didn't have pain from the radiation until the 3rd week. I took 4 pain meds a day, which I could have taken 12, but the 4 was the right amount for me. I wish you well, and please take a look at the anal cancer board, theres a lot of surviovors there. Lori
I went to the anal cancer board first because I was curious at the options for you guys. Seems like different drugs. I hope you are doing will. Thanks for your support. I had my first infusion of Oxalitpatin (spelling wrong sorry). Went well I feel pretty good. Watched the world cup with a sweet lady from Spain we gave the nurses a heart attack when we started yelling at the TV. Love it. Thanks again Laura0 -
My planimagineit2010 said:Hi, very similar to my
Hi, very similar to my situation. What options were you given? What's your plan?
Started 28 session of radition treatments M-F along with 5 weeks of chemo Xeloda and IV infusion Oxalpatin weeks 1,2,4,5. M-F. I get to take the weekends off. After that if all goes as planned a transanal excession to remove the cancer free scar tissue. That is the plan and I'm sticking to it. lol let's hope the big one is on board with that plan. Good luck to you. Laura0 -
TAEAud said:Welcome
...and sorry you have to be here but a good place to be.
I didn't do any research (well, maybe just a little), just trusted my surgeon and the team. I wouldn't recommend that, of course--the more information, the better. A second and third opinion can be helpful too. I had a T2 tumor, very low in the rectum. Initially, my surgeon talked about radiation, chemo, followed by APR and colostomy. I was devastated, trying to process all this. I simply followed orders, asked questions, and trusted my surgeon and rest of the team. My surgeon said it was an "ideal tumor in an unideal location." I found out that staging isn't so necessarily straight forward. It was difficult for them to tell if it was a T1 or T2 tumor through ultrasound, MRI, but my surgeon thought that it was a T2 just by the way it felt. The team decided that, based on the information we had, my surgeon could do a transanal excision (sept. 2009). There were positive margins (laterally, not depth-wise), which is not a good thing. My surgeon said that if I went to 5 different doctors, I would get 5 different opinions. Again, I trusted my surgeon (he has a good reputation) and he did a re-excision about a month later with clear margins (oct. 2009). However, he could only cut so far without damaging the anal sphincter so how clear is clear, in my opinion, is questionable. I then had 6 weeks (30 treatments) of radiation treatment along with oral Xeloda (chemo). I was told that there was approximately 80% chance of cure. Did I make the right decision? I don't know. If I have no recurrence, of course I'd feel like I made the right decision. If a recurrence happens, would I kick myself for not asking for and pushing for APR/colostomy? Whatever the outcome, the decision was made. Now I am followed very closely by my surgeon. The good thing about transanal excision is quick recovery and no colostomy. The bad thing is that there is no way to know for sure if the lymph nodes are involved.
I wish the best for you. Please feel free to PM me if you want.
Holding you in the Light for healing.
~Audrey
I noticed your picture and think you have beautiful child there on your lap lots of reason to live. Don't beat yourself up about your decision what will happen will happen. As long as they watch you close can always have an APR. My mother had breast cancer when the standard treatment was radical mastetomis (sorry spelling) now women have lots of other options. Everyone has to make that decision for their life and life style. I must have in big letters on my file no colostomy because every nurse and doctor comments about that which I think is amusing. The truth is I have no parents, no children, now no boyfriend, and I do very physical work for a living I just don't think it would work with my life so I will avoid it at all cost. Yes I understand the if it doesn't work someone said I would be pulling a Bob Marley, again my decision not right for everyone. I love the internet and the information age. So much info and sharing with other people really didn't have any of this when my mother had breat cancer and my dad lung cancer, sure makes a difference in how much info health care providers give you. It is alway good to know whatt they are talking about. I wish you the very best. Laura0 -
Yea, the second goal....462lt said:Thanks Z
I went to the anal cancer board first because I was curious at the options for you guys. Seems like different drugs. I hope you are doing will. Thanks for your support. I had my first infusion of Oxalitpatin (spelling wrong sorry). Went well I feel pretty good. Watched the world cup with a sweet lady from Spain we gave the nurses a heart attack when we started yelling at the TV. Love it. Thanks again Laura
for The Netherlands...we are here now...you should have heard the noise from our neighbors!!!
We go to Spain soon, I can't remember who they are playing, but I'm certain we will hear it...in Italy, I won't mention it...ROFL!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
New to this site, but over a year into treatmentlisa42 said:Welcome Laura
Hi Laura,
Welcome to the board. I've already seen some of your other replies to posts. I wish you all the best with your surgery and follow up.
I'll look forward to hearing more from you. I was diagnosed in August 2007, and have been on this board since approx Dec. 2008- wish I found it earlier, but it's been great- everyone here is great. Take care and God bless-
Lisa
Hi and thank you all for the opportunity to join this great site!
I was diagnosed 14 months ago (at age 49) with T2/T3 N0 M0 low lying rectal cancer (about 2 cm from the anal verge). I did the neo-adjuvant 6 weeks of Oxaliplatin/Xeloda/radiation (with about a 95% response), followed by LAR.
I really struggled with the transanal excision option. Wish I'd gotten a second opinion just so I could have avoided this long year of questioning if I did the right thing. I developed a recto-vaginal fistula which necessitated giving me a second temporary ileostomy so that I could get through the six months of adjuvant chemo. Finally finished the chemo last week and will have my PET/CT on Tuesday, and get my results the following week. I keep wondering if I'd had the TAE, maybe I wouldn't have developed the fistula. I've also developed alot of scar tissue at the anastomatic connection, so in September I will have surgery to fix both that and the fistula. Then, the plan is to try for another reversal three months later.
Because I was considered "young" and I have 3 relatively young children (19,16, and 11), my first surgeon advised the LAR as the risk for recurrance was relatively high. He said that if I was elderly (e.g., shorter life expectancy) he might be more likely to advise TAE.
I keep telling myself that it's too late now for second guessing; what's gone is gone. But the fistula really threw me for a loop and so unexpectedly changed what I thought would be my course of recovery.
I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with this kind of fistula, as well as ileostomy reversal. My current surgeon (head of colorectal surgery at Johns Hopkins) seems very confident in his ability to fix the fistula and take care of the scar tissue (though he isn't sure what kind of connection he'll be able to make; he said it depends on how much colon I have to work with in terms of being able to create a colonic j-pouch or not). I have alot of confidence in this surgeon, but I'm still apprehensive especially because he was much more cautious regarding future bowel functioning (not pessimistic, just more cautious).
Anyway, thank you all for the chance to vent a little, and hopefully get some advice.
Best wishes to all of you!
---Dorothy0 -
Hi Dorthy, I was 35 atwifeandmom said:New to this site, but over a year into treatment
Hi and thank you all for the opportunity to join this great site!
I was diagnosed 14 months ago (at age 49) with T2/T3 N0 M0 low lying rectal cancer (about 2 cm from the anal verge). I did the neo-adjuvant 6 weeks of Oxaliplatin/Xeloda/radiation (with about a 95% response), followed by LAR.
I really struggled with the transanal excision option. Wish I'd gotten a second opinion just so I could have avoided this long year of questioning if I did the right thing. I developed a recto-vaginal fistula which necessitated giving me a second temporary ileostomy so that I could get through the six months of adjuvant chemo. Finally finished the chemo last week and will have my PET/CT on Tuesday, and get my results the following week. I keep wondering if I'd had the TAE, maybe I wouldn't have developed the fistula. I've also developed alot of scar tissue at the anastomatic connection, so in September I will have surgery to fix both that and the fistula. Then, the plan is to try for another reversal three months later.
Because I was considered "young" and I have 3 relatively young children (19,16, and 11), my first surgeon advised the LAR as the risk for recurrance was relatively high. He said that if I was elderly (e.g., shorter life expectancy) he might be more likely to advise TAE.
I keep telling myself that it's too late now for second guessing; what's gone is gone. But the fistula really threw me for a loop and so unexpectedly changed what I thought would be my course of recovery.
I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with this kind of fistula, as well as ileostomy reversal. My current surgeon (head of colorectal surgery at Johns Hopkins) seems very confident in his ability to fix the fistula and take care of the scar tissue (though he isn't sure what kind of connection he'll be able to make; he said it depends on how much colon I have to work with in terms of being able to create a colonic j-pouch or not). I have alot of confidence in this surgeon, but I'm still apprehensive especially because he was much more cautious regarding future bowel functioning (not pessimistic, just more cautious).
Anyway, thank you all for the chance to vent a little, and hopefully get some advice.
Best wishes to all of you!
---Dorothy
Hi Dorthy, I was 35 at diagnosis with a stage 3. I also did chemo and radiation for 6 wks, a break and the a resection with ileostomy. I never developed a fistula, but they were able to reverse the ostomy 3 mths after the resection. I am 10 mths from the reversal now and things are getting better all the time. I had no urgercy/incontinence issues that alot of people have, but dealt with constipation and getting the muscles to work again.. My tumor was rectal also, about6 cm in.. So try to be positive about it, anything is possible. I'll keep you in my prayers .. Take care. Petrina0 -
Thank you!mommyof2kds said:Hi Dorthy, I was 35 at
Hi Dorthy, I was 35 at diagnosis with a stage 3. I also did chemo and radiation for 6 wks, a break and the a resection with ileostomy. I never developed a fistula, but they were able to reverse the ostomy 3 mths after the resection. I am 10 mths from the reversal now and things are getting better all the time. I had no urgercy/incontinence issues that alot of people have, but dealt with constipation and getting the muscles to work again.. My tumor was rectal also, about6 cm in.. So try to be positive about it, anything is possible. I'll keep you in my prayers .. Take care. Petrina
Hi Petrina,
Thanks for the encouragement! So glad you're doing well!
--Dorothy0 -
This comment has been removed by the Moderatorwifeandmom said:Thank you!
Hi Petrina,
Thanks for the encouragement! So glad you're doing well!
--Dorothy0 -
Thanks, Graci!unknown said:This comment has been removed by the Moderator
Hi Graci,
Thank you!
--Dorothy0 -
Dorothy,wifeandmom said:New to this site, but over a year into treatment
Hi and thank you all for the opportunity to join this great site!
I was diagnosed 14 months ago (at age 49) with T2/T3 N0 M0 low lying rectal cancer (about 2 cm from the anal verge). I did the neo-adjuvant 6 weeks of Oxaliplatin/Xeloda/radiation (with about a 95% response), followed by LAR.
I really struggled with the transanal excision option. Wish I'd gotten a second opinion just so I could have avoided this long year of questioning if I did the right thing. I developed a recto-vaginal fistula which necessitated giving me a second temporary ileostomy so that I could get through the six months of adjuvant chemo. Finally finished the chemo last week and will have my PET/CT on Tuesday, and get my results the following week. I keep wondering if I'd had the TAE, maybe I wouldn't have developed the fistula. I've also developed alot of scar tissue at the anastomatic connection, so in September I will have surgery to fix both that and the fistula. Then, the plan is to try for another reversal three months later.
Because I was considered "young" and I have 3 relatively young children (19,16, and 11), my first surgeon advised the LAR as the risk for recurrance was relatively high. He said that if I was elderly (e.g., shorter life expectancy) he might be more likely to advise TAE.
I keep telling myself that it's too late now for second guessing; what's gone is gone. But the fistula really threw me for a loop and so unexpectedly changed what I thought would be my course of recovery.
I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with this kind of fistula, as well as ileostomy reversal. My current surgeon (head of colorectal surgery at Johns Hopkins) seems very confident in his ability to fix the fistula and take care of the scar tissue (though he isn't sure what kind of connection he'll be able to make; he said it depends on how much colon I have to work with in terms of being able to create a colonic j-pouch or not). I have alot of confidence in this surgeon, but I'm still apprehensive especially because he was much more cautious regarding future bowel functioning (not pessimistic, just more cautious).
Anyway, thank you all for the chance to vent a little, and hopefully get some advice.
Best wishes to all of you!
---Dorothy
I was diagnosed at
Dorothy,
I was diagnosed at 44. rectal cancer here, 6 weeeks radaiton and Xeloda, resection thorugh major incision and simultanius hysterectomy, temporary ileostomy, Folfox chemo and reversal. Whew! Sounds like a lot when you type it all out.
As for the reversal, it seems as if everyone is differnet in how they react to the surgery. For the first few weeks I struggled with incontinence but the muscle strengthened and it did get better. I have noticed a few things, such as red meat makes me constipated so I am avoiding that more than I did before, but for the most part I am so happy I had this reversed! What else would you like to know?
Kathy0 -
Thank you, Kathykhl8 said:Dorothy,
I was diagnosed at
Dorothy,
I was diagnosed at 44. rectal cancer here, 6 weeeks radaiton and Xeloda, resection thorugh major incision and simultanius hysterectomy, temporary ileostomy, Folfox chemo and reversal. Whew! Sounds like a lot when you type it all out.
As for the reversal, it seems as if everyone is differnet in how they react to the surgery. For the first few weeks I struggled with incontinence but the muscle strengthened and it did get better. I have noticed a few things, such as red meat makes me constipated so I am avoiding that more than I did before, but for the most part I am so happy I had this reversed! What else would you like to know?
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy. I really appreciate it.
You're even younger than me --- are you able to get out and take care of everything you need and want to without worrying about leakage or accidents?
Thanks again,
Dorothy0 -
Yes, my life is Normal forwifeandmom said:Thank you, Kathy
Thank you, Kathy. I really appreciate it.
You're even younger than me --- are you able to get out and take care of everything you need and want to without worrying about leakage or accidents?
Thanks again,
Dorothy
Yes, my life is Normal for the most part. Every so often I go to thebathroom and go alot, and for some reason this happens when I am at home. But I can go out, go to work, I have time to "find" a restroom without having to scope it out when I walk in someplace. I am comfortable being away from home. In fact I am taking my first trip to Jamaica in a few weeks for my son's wedding, and not worried about it one bit! My ileostomy was reversed 10 months ago. It took a bit of time to retrain myself but it worked. It does take patience and you have to be prepared when it is first done, to have an accident or two. I had my reversal on a Wednesday, spent 2 nights in the hopital, home recovering for a week then I went back to work. Just in case though, I carried ( past tense now) a change of clothes, but I did not ever have to use them. I did have to when I had the ileostomy!
Kathy0 -
That's great!khl8 said:Yes, my life is Normal for
Yes, my life is Normal for the most part. Every so often I go to thebathroom and go alot, and for some reason this happens when I am at home. But I can go out, go to work, I have time to "find" a restroom without having to scope it out when I walk in someplace. I am comfortable being away from home. In fact I am taking my first trip to Jamaica in a few weeks for my son's wedding, and not worried about it one bit! My ileostomy was reversed 10 months ago. It took a bit of time to retrain myself but it worked. It does take patience and you have to be prepared when it is first done, to have an accident or two. I had my reversal on a Wednesday, spent 2 nights in the hopital, home recovering for a week then I went back to work. Just in case though, I carried ( past tense now) a change of clothes, but I did not ever have to use them. I did have to when I had the ileostomy!
Kathy
That's great! I can only hope that I do as well as you have. Enjoy Jamaica and congratulations on your son's marriage. Thanks, Kathy!
Regards,
Dorothy0
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