question from a newbie about surgery

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brn2ride
brn2ride Member Posts: 32
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi
I am curious as to how long after diagnosis of colon cancer it takes for surgery.I went in two months ago for a colonoscopy then I went in two weeks ago and had a polyp removed. a week later (last week) the surgeon called me and said i had to have my colon removed and would have to have a permanment ostomy. The surgeon didn't say what stage I was in or have much time to talk. She said I should come in for a consultation, but when I called her office they couldn't get me in for three weeks. I made an appoinment with an oncologist for a second opinion but I don't want to delay surgery too long either. Do you think I should use my original surgeon or have the oncologist reccommend a different one.

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  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #2
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    Hi - welcome to our site.

    My gut reaction is that you should find a new surgeon ASAP.

    Rectal tumors are often treated with chemo / radiation first in order to shrink the tumor prior to surgery and hopefully avoid a colostomy. (But it seems that is not happening with you - where is your tumor located?) Colon tumors are virtually always treated with surgery as soon as possible. You have already waited 2 months and now are being told to wait 3 more weeks just for a consultation - that seems unacceptable to me. And, what's with a phone call saying you have to have your colon removed but I can't explain why for another 3 weeks?

    It is good that you have made an appointment with an oncologist, but please find another surgeon for a second opinion - it is doubtful that another opinion would delay surgery any longer than this surgeon has already delayed it.

    I was diagnosed via colonoscopy with a sigmoid colon tumor on a Monday (May 2005). Found a colorectal surgeon Tuesday, had a consultation the following day and had surgery scheduled for 2 weeks and a day after my colonoscopy diagnosis. In between my initial surgeon appointment, I had CT scans and blood work. The suspicion was that I was Stage IV, which was verified 2 weeks later during my colon surgery. Seven weeks after diagnosis I was starting chemotherapy, having recovered well from surgery. I have been no evidence of disease for over 2 years. I don't mean to scare you, but delaying surgery and treatment only increases the opportunities for the tumor to grow and potentially spread.

    I'm wishing you the best, but I think your next step should be to consult with a different surgeon. Do you happen to live near a major cancer center or other large teaching hospital? If so, at this point, you might be well advised to seek a consult there.

    Take care,
    Betsy
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #3
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    Hi newbie,

    I agree with Betsy--find another surgeon. This sounds fishy.

    I had my colonoscopy on a Monday, met with the surgeon on Tuesday and he wanted to do the surgery on Wednesday. I had to "postpone" it until Friday of that week. This was done at the Mayo Clinic. Top notch facility.

    I did not feel the need for a second opinion since no one was talking about taking out my entire colon permanently!

    My tumor was in my sigmoid colon, was slow-growing and had been in there from 5-10 years. It was big and blocking my colon. It was not polyp (have had some of those removed since though).

    Good luck but IMO I would definitely look for someone else for all the reasons Betsy said.

    peace, emily
  • 4law
    4law Member Posts: 110
    #4
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    Ditto. Usually chemo/radiation combo precedes surgery to shrink the tumor as much as possible so the surgery will be as least invasive as possible to avoid the chances for a permanent ostomy. If you were told from the start that surgery was needed asap, the surgeon should have gone out of her way to help schedule it asap. It may be poor communication or bad medicine -- whatever it is, I would vote for you to see someone else asap -- preferably in a teaching hospital or major cancer center. Steps along the way for your cure may be long including chemo, radiation, surgery, and post-surgery chemo. You will be with your surgeon and oncologist for a long time and it is absolutely necessary that you have complete trust and feel comfortable with them -- you are having enough stress as it is learning you have cancer, you don't need more, wondering if your doctors are OK -- you need peace of mind and elimination of as much stress as possible right now. Find someone new.
  • neon356
    neon356 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #5
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    At best, I think that the surgeon is totally insensitive. She's laid this enormous load on you and then you're told to wait 3 weeks to talk more about it. I hear more and more stories like yours and it really upsets me and makes me angry. If I were you I'd find someone else. The few extra weeks are probably not the difference between life and death, so I wouldn't worry too much in that respect, but once we learn that we have the beast we want it out of there as soon as possible and your surgeon should surely be sensitive enough to understand that and not make you wait like what seems like an eternity to get things moving. It's not surprising that you weren't told what stage you're in- it often takes the actual surgery to determine exactly how far your cancer has progressed. Also, I'm sure that she didn't mean that your entire colon has to be removed. It's more common that only the affected section has to be removed. I'm sure that at this point you may feel very confused and out of control. If you can, take a deep breath and just try and take things one step at a time. It will all fall into place and you'll begin to feel better about what's going on in your life right now. Keep us informed as to what's happening. We've all been through this and we're here to help
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
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    I was diagnosed the day after Thanksgiving, 2004. Was all thru the initial 'meet and greets' and all positioning for the rads by December 20th, when I started both chemo and radiation. Mine was rectal cancer, so they wanted to shrink it as much as possible before surgery. Christmas was a MESS that year!!! Bowel resection finally took place in May, 2005. Turns out, the pre-surgery chemo/rads COMPLETELY eliminated the cancer!!! all they took out was cancer free. (Told them that as long as they were in there, please remove anything and everything I didn't need any more...so, they took my ovaries and uterus to boot!)

    I agree with all....sounds like you need to find an oncologist or surgical oncologist that has a bit more 'curb appeal' and motivation to help you....

    Hugs, kathi
  • shmurciakova
    shmurciakova Member Posts: 906 Member
    #7
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    Hi there,
    The only time I have heard of having the entire colon removed is in the case of FAP, which is a genetic condition in which hundreds of colon polyps develop over the lifetime. You said "a polyp" was removed. Certainly you will not have to have your entire colon removed. Also, the only time I have heard of the patient ending up with a colostomy is in cases of rectal cancer - and even so, there are specialists (for example, Dr. Chang, at MD Anderson) who specialize in "sparing" the sphincter so that the patient does not end up with a bag...
    I would in no uncertain terms seek a second opinion, your oncologist should be able to refer you to someone else, even at a major cancer center if that is what you would like.
    You will see that you have to be your own advocate, looks like you already are by coming here and seeking an oncologist on your own!
    Best wishes,
    Susan
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #8
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    It didn't take long for me. My colonoscopy diagnosing rectal cancer was on Monday and my GI doc recommended a surgeon then. I called the surgeon's office later that day. The receptionist offered an appointment in a week, but when I told her my GI doc's name, told me I could come in the next morning. Tuesday morning I met the surgeon, who said he thought he could operate Friday. His receptionist told him there wouldn't be time for blood and ultrasound diagnostics, but he told her, essentially, make it happen. So I got my operation two days later.
  • kmygil
    kmygil Member Posts: 876 Member
    #9
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    Hi there. Get another surgeon. I was dx'd on a Thursday and in surgery the following Wednesday. Your surgeon is outrageous.
  • sladich
    sladich Member Posts: 429 Member
    #10
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    I agree with Betsy and Emily. This doesn't sound right. I had my colonscopy on Sunday and had surgery on Thursday. My tumor was also in the sigmoid colon and causing pain. Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

    Debbie
  • josie1952
    josie1952 Member Posts: 9
    #11
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    neon356 said:

    At best, I think that the surgeon is totally insensitive. She's laid this enormous load on you and then you're told to wait 3 weeks to talk more about it. I hear more and more stories like yours and it really upsets me and makes me angry. If I were you I'd find someone else. The few extra weeks are probably not the difference between life and death, so I wouldn't worry too much in that respect, but once we learn that we have the beast we want it out of there as soon as possible and your surgeon should surely be sensitive enough to understand that and not make you wait like what seems like an eternity to get things moving. It's not surprising that you weren't told what stage you're in- it often takes the actual surgery to determine exactly how far your cancer has progressed. Also, I'm sure that she didn't mean that your entire colon has to be removed. It's more common that only the affected section has to be removed. I'm sure that at this point you may feel very confused and out of control. If you can, take a deep breath and just try and take things one step at a time. It will all fall into place and you'll begin to feel better about what's going on in your life right now. Keep us informed as to what's happening. We've all been through this and we're here to help

    I agree with finding a second opinion and another surgeon if you do have to have the surgery...would check with Cancer Centers of America, they might have a different treatment...

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