Surgery before chemo...only option?

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Stefi
Stefi Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey all! Obviously, I cant get this horrible news of my moms cancer off my mind and I have one thing in my mind bothering me. The colorectal surgeon told us last week that she would need surgery before they start chemo if in fact the spots on her liver are cancer. The reason behind this is the tumor on her rectum is causing her to have some problems and they are afraid it will close off everything and they would need to do emergency surgery if they waited until after chemo treatments. Has anyone on here had something similar? Surgery before chemo? Initally, before they found the other spots on the CT scan, they were going to do chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor first. We should know for sure if the spots on the liver are cancer after her PET CT next week. Just trying to sort things out in my mind.

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  • robinvan
    robinvan Member Posts: 1,012
    #2
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    Hi Stefi...
    I had my colon cancer (sigmoid) diagnosed by way of a colonoscopy in the morning and the primary tumor removed that night. They were concerned that it could become a blockage. It was nice to be rid of it. They did the liver resection 6 weeks later and the chemo started 6 weeks after that.

    It is quite common to remover the primary tumor and then follow with chemo.

    Sorry to hear about your Mom's cancer. Keep learning about what options are available and encourage your Mom. There are a lot of stage 4 survivors here.

    Peace and blessings... Rob; in Vancouver
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #4
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    Stefi
    George's tumor was in the transverse colon so a bit different but it was discovered via colonoscopy on 3/27/09 and surgery was on 4/2 to remove it, chemo followed 5 weeks later after healing. So yes, many had tumors removed before.

    Tina
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #5
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    geotina said:

    Stefi
    George's tumor was in the transverse colon so a bit different but it was discovered via colonoscopy on 3/27/09 and surgery was on 4/2 to remove it, chemo followed 5 weeks later after healing. So yes, many had tumors removed before.

    Tina

    You definitely don't want a blockage caused by tumor....
    also, at times, presurgery chemo/rad causes tumor to at first grow before reduction in size, if treatment is successful. Mine was always a "do chemo/rad as long as no blockage"; came close to emergency procedure during Tx but meds cleared blockage. You can die from the toxic effects of nonelimination of feces.....Hoping for excellent results on your surgery.....steve
  • Sundanceh
    Sundanceh Member Posts: 4,392 Member
    #6
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    A Good Approach...
    Hi Stefi

    This all sounds reasonable - you definitely don't want to get an obstruction down in the rectal area - that could make for a whole different surgery. To be able to get it now is a sound option.

    As the others have said, chemo & radiation can come afterwards.

    Every case is so different so it varies in the approach that we all get.

    My rectal tumor was down very low - there was no obstruction so I was fortunate there. We elected to do radiation 25x there to shrink the tumor down for resection - the hopes were to avoid a colostomy. There was very little margin to work with.

    In your case, with a blockage possible, this sounds like a good approach with everything coming after.

    As Tina said, many Stage IV's here on the board, myself included.

    Thanks for your post and we're hoping for the best for your mom.

    -Craig
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #7
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    Mine like Rob's was in the
    Mine like Rob's was in the sigmoid part of the colon. I had emergency surgery 2 days before scheduled sugery because I was completely obstructed. Then chemo for 6 months, no radiation. No liver or lung involvement. Mine was pretty typical for location of cancer. Many on here with rectal have radiation, then surgery, then chemo. With your Mom, I guess I am confused why the change of plans due to liver involvement? (which is what I gather from your post) I totally understand due to size of tumor and being obstructed, but not sure why liver involvement would change the plan?
  • idlehunters
    idlehunters Member Posts: 1,787 Member
    #8
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    Patteee said:

    Mine like Rob's was in the
    Mine like Rob's was in the sigmoid part of the colon. I had emergency surgery 2 days before scheduled sugery because I was completely obstructed. Then chemo for 6 months, no radiation. No liver or lung involvement. Mine was pretty typical for location of cancer. Many on here with rectal have radiation, then surgery, then chemo. With your Mom, I guess I am confused why the change of plans due to liver involvement? (which is what I gather from your post) I totally understand due to size of tumor and being obstructed, but not sure why liver involvement would change the plan?

    Surgery here first too
    Colonscopy.... followed by surgery 3 weeks later. LARGE Tumor was in large intestine but had gone thru colon wall and attached to back of abdomin wall..... no time to wait on chemo. Never had radiation but chemo followed 8 weeks later. Stage IV...now NED..... Keep on keeping on........ Jennie
  • Stefi
    Stefi Member Posts: 31
    #9
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    Patteee said:

    Mine like Rob's was in the
    Mine like Rob's was in the sigmoid part of the colon. I had emergency surgery 2 days before scheduled sugery because I was completely obstructed. Then chemo for 6 months, no radiation. No liver or lung involvement. Mine was pretty typical for location of cancer. Many on here with rectal have radiation, then surgery, then chemo. With your Mom, I guess I am confused why the change of plans due to liver involvement? (which is what I gather from your post) I totally understand due to size of tumor and being obstructed, but not sure why liver involvement would change the plan?

    Good Info
    Thanks for all the comments! As you all probably know, it was a whirlwind of information coming to us from the dr's last week. From what I gathered, since it is most likely in the liver too, they want to go full force with the chemo asap since its such a vital organ and not have the radiation. So instead of worrying just about the chemo and radiation on the tumor in the rectum, they just want to remove it and get her healed and going on the chemo. I asked about a stent in the rectum so we could still try the radiation and chemo first, but the dr. said he hasnt had many good results with those and usually people still end up with emergency surgery. I know mom is terrified she is going to have a blockage at any time...and I am frustrated that we once again have to wait until Wednesday for the PET scan then dont see the oncologist until Friday afternoon. I have just heard so many people say do chemo before surgery to kill as many cancer cells as possible, so thats what kinda scares me. Have I mention how great this is to talk to so many of you going through the same thing? Thank you all again so much!!!

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