husband doesn't want surgery please help us understand

okthen
okthen Member Posts: 232
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone...it has been a while since I've posted...came on right after my DH was Dx w rectal ca. You all provided a lot of help then and I appreciate it! A little Hx..Dx in May/10, CT scan clear, Sono staged as "early" with no node involvement.

7-8-10 TEMs procedure to remove tumor.(no margins with this procedure, Path report states no evidence of tumor in the tissue surrounding it)

Path came back tumor had grown into muscle and 1 out of 5 nodes was positive. Surgeon scheduled resection for end of August. Surgeon tells us last Friday that we need to see an Onc before surgery. Ok. We see Onc on this last Monday, he recommends to do the resection first then f/u w chemo/rad.

My DH is questioning if he should do the resection. His point, the tumor is already gone. The chemo and rad could do it's thing with or without the resection surgery. I of course want him to do whatever the docs say, but understand his concerns and questions. We will see the onc next week but knew you all here could offer some answers/opinions.

My opinion is he needs the surgery to prevent a recurrence, but he follows me with if the radiation is going to cook where it grew then why not just do that and not the resection. He is worried about the resection being radiated and causing leakage.

I realize we may be misunderstanding, so please feel free to correct if we are,,our heads are spinning as Im sure youve all experienced.

Thanks for your help!

Comments

  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    #2
    why radiation?
    I wonder why the radiation? I was stage four, had resection and chemo, no rads, maybe the difference between rectal and colon? If he has surgery that will surely delay chemo and rad till healed enough. Maybe second and third opinions are called for after your doctor visit. Hoping for the best for DH and you.
    Pam
  • khl8
    khl8 Member Posts: 807
    #3
    I am a stage 111 rectal
    I am a stage 111 rectal cancer survivor, here is the short history,
    Oral (xeloda) chemo 6 weeks combined with 6 weeks of radation to shrink tumor
    Resection and hysterectomy simultaniously, temporary ileostomy
    9 Folfox treatments
    Ileostomy reversal

    It is just my opinion to do anything necessary to prevent a reocccurance. Yes the resections surgery is rough, I cannot lie about it, but remeber there are no "do overs". If you don't do it and it comes back you may regret that decision as you cannot go back in the past to change the decesions made.
    I am in the frame of mind to do anything I have to to make sure the beast is gone and stays gone.
    when the lymph nodes become involved you never know what will happen, the margins may have been clear now but if this is lurking in the area ready to strike, get the areas round the tumor site out!
    Again, this is just my opinion. Hope you can decipher all the info thrown at you and make the decision that is right for you!
    Kathy
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #4
    Rads...
    Rads...

    Re:
    "but he follows me with if the radiation is going to cook where it
    grew then why not just do that and not the resection"

    I agree with Pam regarding radiation.

    Radiation doesn't start and end at the target, it goes through everything
    between point A and B, and kills cells all along that route. It also
    radiates around the point of entry, and along the entire route to the
    target, killing and destroying cells both good and bad as far as that
    radiation can reach. It is not without risks....

    You are correct in saying: It not only "cooks" things, it is largely
    responsible for "second cancers" well after the treatments are finished.

    You are entitled to other outside opinions, and I would seek them out.
    You should have a qualified colorectal surgeon that is not a member of
    your present doctor's association or group, and preferably one outside
    of your local area., to give you another opinion.

    No physician worth anything, is offended by a patient getting another
    opinion. They learn of new techniques and procedures that way, and
    feel more secure knowing that you won't be relying on their opinion alone.

    I personally would not go any route without having a few opinions
    regarding my course of travel.

    Good luck; better health!

    John
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #5
    John23 said:

    Rads...
    Rads...

    Re:
    "but he follows me with if the radiation is going to cook where it
    grew then why not just do that and not the resection"

    I agree with Pam regarding radiation.

    Radiation doesn't start and end at the target, it goes through everything
    between point A and B, and kills cells all along that route. It also
    radiates around the point of entry, and along the entire route to the
    target, killing and destroying cells both good and bad as far as that
    radiation can reach. It is not without risks....

    You are correct in saying: It not only "cooks" things, it is largely
    responsible for "second cancers" well after the treatments are finished.

    You are entitled to other outside opinions, and I would seek them out.
    You should have a qualified colorectal surgeon that is not a member of
    your present doctor's association or group, and preferably one outside
    of your local area., to give you another opinion.

    No physician worth anything, is offended by a patient getting another
    opinion. They learn of new techniques and procedures that way, and
    feel more secure knowing that you won't be relying on their opinion alone.

    I personally would not go any route without having a few opinions
    regarding my course of travel.

    Good luck; better health!

    John

    may be second opinion would help (or comlplicate it)
    But l PERSONALLY would go ahead !
    Just my opinion of course!
    Best to you!
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #6
    The radiation lowers the
    The radiation lowers the odds of a recurrence. The resection lowers the odds of a recurrence. If your DH wants to minimize the chance of a recurrence, he should do both. The two therapies are not separate remedies for the problem of a possible recurrence, because neither therapy is a remedy. But each betters the odds of a good outcome. Probably the surgery is most important: it would make more sense to do the surgery without the radiation than to do the radiation without the surgery. Those with a worse cancer problem than your DH are refused surgery, at first, and have radiation and chemotherapies in hopes that the number and size of the cancers can be reduced, so that later they may become eligible for surgery.
  • okthen
    okthen Member Posts: 232
    #7
    PGLGreg said:

    The radiation lowers the
    The radiation lowers the odds of a recurrence. The resection lowers the odds of a recurrence. If your DH wants to minimize the chance of a recurrence, he should do both. The two therapies are not separate remedies for the problem of a possible recurrence, because neither therapy is a remedy. But each betters the odds of a good outcome. Probably the surgery is most important: it would make more sense to do the surgery without the radiation than to do the radiation without the surgery. Those with a worse cancer problem than your DH are refused surgery, at first, and have radiation and chemotherapies in hopes that the number and size of the cancers can be reduced, so that later they may become eligible for surgery.

    Thank you all for your
    Thank you all for your responses...we do have a second appointment with the Onc. on Monday. My husband did say that he realizes the Doc will probably say that the surgery is important and should be done...he is trying to accept it. Scared of the unknown, I guess. Thanks again!

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