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Beating bowel cancer together

Bowel cancer treatment and side effects

You can find lots of useful information about bowel cancer treatment on our website. You can also get information and support from our Ask the nurse service.

angela

Cancer returned on bowel tissue join and para aortic lymph node,to start treatment or not??!!

Hi all,am T3 colon cancer that has been operated on in 2018 given clear scan and 2018 but now it's back in joint tissue of bowel ,1cm,then in para aortic lymph nodes. I have been told that there are only 2 types of chemo available at all to me and that my team want to use them to maximum effect ie when they feel they are most needed.It was explained to me that it was like having a lawn with 2 bottles of weed killer,then tou had to decide when to use your only remaining 2 bottles of weed killer.At the moment they said it's like I only have 2 weeds so best to wait until there are more ?My thinking is that surely shouldn't cancer be nipped in the bud rather than let it spread ?I understand the analogy of the weeds but can't really get it with cancer because cancer kills weeds only damage a lawn and it can recover whereas cancer will take over if left alone,don't know what to do and second opinion ,I have been told would delay things,also why do some of us get PET scans and MRI scans ,i have never had either only ever been offered ct scans.I want to trust my team but am finding it hard ,it is my life after all ,not just something minor like an in growing toenail!! Any answers greatly welcomed as I am lost and scared !

angela

Hi Deemar, thanks for your reply, glad to hear positive news for your husband that's great! I have taken the advice of you and others on this website and contacted Christies hospital and a professor Mark Saunders, just sent an email about a second opinion. You are very right it needs to be done to give me the confidence in my team, cheers, Angela :x::x:

mummy2020

Hello @angela. Im sorry to hear about your reccurance. My mum is in similar position. She had it come back in liver n both lungs. We had oncologist phone today and explain results from ct scan last week. He explained that it has grown slightly more but as long as she feels well there's no point starting chemo until they really have to as there is luckily at the moment a small amount of cancer and like you he's saving treatment until it gets worst I guess. My mum seems happy with this watch n wait approach again for now as we know that when the time is right the chemo will start again. It's tricky situation. Take care and I hope you get the answers you want. :x::x:

angela

Hi mummy2020,thanks for your reply ,you are right it is a very tricky situation and I really don't know what to do!Sorry to hear about your mum and am glad she feels happy with the situation on treatment for her at the moment ,take care ,Angela :x::x:

HH79

Hi @angela I’m so sorry this Onc has given this advice! You should urgently get second opinion especially as para aortic lymph node can have cyber knife or SABR / MRI Linac blast them away (sometimes forever but mostly for v long time!) but not if more than 3 or certain size! So it’s pretty crazy you’ve been told to wait until more as won’t be eligible then. Also don’t want to leave Lymphs ‘loose’ as can spread around body. My PALN moved up towards diaphragm / lungs and you don’t want that - Pls do get advice elsewhere. Where do you like we could advise? I think urgent you look at radio for PALN and certainly chemo :x::x:

Afraidboy

Hello. Just wanted to send my love to you on this forum. As above hope you ask for a second opinion. Please let us know how you get on :x:

GD62

Hi just wished to offer you my best wishes to you and that you request a second opinion. hugs :x::x::x:

cant believe it

Hi @angela we also live in the Notts area but got our 2nd opinion with professor mark Saunders at the Christie’s in Manchester, I agree with the others a 2nd opinion definitely the way forward, sending hugs :x::x:

Lexi

@angela I also agree with the great advice that you have already been given, so many people on this site have regretted not pushing or becoming an advocate for their own treatment you have the time now to get the best advice for your treatment, with my hubbies journey for nearly the last three years battling stage 4 cancer I can honestly say we have no regrets, today he will start chemo for liver and lung mets. Wishing you well what ever you decide :x::x::x:

angela

Hi everyone,thanks for your kind messages!I have started the referral for a second opinion with professor Mark Saunders at Christies through my oncologist so hope to hear soon .I too am very concerned about the PALN area and can't understand why nothing going done,I just keep getting told its tiny and that now oncologist more concerned about monitoring the bowel join tumour which is 1cm!she seems to keep changing her mind ,take care all ,speak soon ,love,Angela :x::x::x:

Bridget55

Hi @angela. Great news. Mark is great and will give you good advice. He’s the advisor to Bowel Cancer Uk too. If you want to see him before he did a podcast with George A and @Bear G Nr 6 in the series.

Bear G

Good choice @angela!
Mark is a lovely person, very easy to speak with and is one of the top specialists in this field. A lot of people on here have been treated by him.
I echo the advice you’ve had to seek a second opinion, Mark may have a different approach to your treatment, but if he agrees with the current plan you will probably be able to feel more confident in that course of action.
Cancer treatment really is a tailored approach for each of us.
Good luck with Mark.
Big hugs
Bear
:x::x:

angela

Hi Bear and Bridget55 thanks again for your replies its reassuring to know Mark's is do good,thanks,Angela :x::x:

Clancy

Hi @angela, Professor Saunders is my oncologist too, very approachable, and will give sound advice.
I saw the post by @HH79 about Cyberknife/SABR, I have been treated with that as well at Christie’s, successful.
I will give you the names of Consultant Radiologist and Professor Saunders Secretary if you wish.
I must add though, you can’t have chemo and the SABR together because of healing etc.
Good luck with everything sending hugs.:x::x:

HH79

Yes and also follow Bowelbabe Deborah James she’s just had combined radiotherapy and cyberknife at Marsden @angela @Clancy for two affected ones :x::x:

angela

Hi

Quote from @Clancy:
Hi @angela, Professor Saunders is my oncologist too, very approachable, and will give sound advice.
I saw the post by @HH79 about Cyberknife/SABR, I have been treated with that as well at Christie’s, successful.
I will give you the names of Consultant Radiologist and Professor Saunders Secretary if you wish.
I must add though, you can’t have chemo and the SABR together because of healing etc.
Good luck with everything sending hugs.

Hi thanks for your message ,I am in the process of seeking a second opinion from prof Mark Saunders,my oncologist has written and emailed his secretary ,so hopefully should hear soon.Can I ask please,did you receive your treatment on the NHS with him or privately as his secretary told me that he would only accept privately insured patients and not self funded which is what I would be ,cheers,take care ,Angela :x::x:

angela
Quote from @HH79:
Yes and also follow Bowelbabe Deborah James she’s just had combined radiotherapy and cyberknife at Marsden @angela @Clancy for two affected ones

Hi yes will have a look,thanks for your reply,take care ,Angela :x::x:

1234annie

Hiya, I had recurrence at the join. I had my surgery at St Mark's Harrow. I had 6 :x: folfiri and 5 weeks chemo rad. Histology showed clear margins and no nodes so atm I've finished treatment now. :x: :x:

Clancy

Hi @angela, I am treated on the NHS by Professor Saunders. The only private element of my treatment was the initial colonoscopy. :x::x:

angela
Quote from @1234annie:
Hiya, I had recurrence at the join. I had my surgery at St Mark's Harrow. I had 6 :x: folfiri and 5 weeks chemo rad. Histology showed clear margins and no nodes so atm I've finished treatment now.

Hi ,thanks for your reply ,its encouraging and I am glad you are doing well,cheers,Angela :x::x:

angela
Quote from @Clancy:
Hi @angela, I am treated on the NHS by Professor Saunders. The only private element of my treatment was the initial colonoscopy.

Thanks for your reply its good to know that Prof Saunders seems to be the go to person,thanks,hope you are doing ok ,cheers,Angela :x::x: