Should I take treatments - questions for the oncologist

I just had surgery for removal of a stage 1 low grade rectal tumor. The path report is out.  The margins are all clean, but there was evidence of venous invasion in the submucosa.  Usually stage 1 requires no treatments, but because of the venous invasion, the surgeon put the odds at around 10% that a bad cell could have traveled out of the area and into the nearby nodes.  Therefore to cover this 10% chance, there will probably be recommended a combination of some radiation and chemo. 

I am concerned because the tumor was directly in front of my prostate.  Although I suppose the radiation would be directed to the nodes or some area.  I don't know yet.

I see the oncologist in a few days.  What suggestions does anyone have to help me make a decision.  What are the questions I need to ask the oncologist?  What is it that I need to know that he may not tell me? 

I want to do whatever I need to do to keep this from recurring.  I was lucky to preserve my bowel function.  I know that if the cancer comes back in the nodes, I won't be so lucky. 

I wouldn't start any treatments for a few weeks while the incission heals, so I have a lot of time to think and prepare.

Thanks.

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Marinabob:

I had the same diagnosis on the lesion they removed from my rectum.  They said I could chose to have chemo and radiation or more surgery (a low anterior resection).  I can't decide which would be better.  I don't like either option, but I am a female and don't have to worry about harming my prostate.

Anyway, on your question, I went online and got booklets from the American Cancer Society for free that listed the questions you should ask the doctor.  Some were very helpful, others I already knew the answers to.  My case manager for my health insurance sent me one from the National Cancer Institute also called "Radiation Therapy and You: A Guide To Self-help During Cancer Treatment" that was also helpful. It doesn't list the questions to ask the doctor, but it has lots of answers.

The list of questions in the other book include:

Why do I need chemotherapy/radiation therapy?

What are the benefits? What are the risks?

Are there other ways to treat my cancer?  What is the standard care for my type of cancer? How many cycles of chemotherapy will I get?  How long is each treatment?  How long between treatments? What types of chemotherapy will I get/  How will these drugs be given?  Where do I go for this treatment?  How long does each treatment last?  What side effects can I expect right away?  What side effects can I expect later? How serious are these side effects?  How long will these side effects last?  Whill all the side effects go away when treatment is over?  What can I do to manage or ease these side effects?  What can my doctor or nurse do to manage or ease these side effects?  When should I call my doctor or nurse about these side effects?

These questions came out of a chemotherapy booklet, so they are slanted that way.

I don't know if these are helpful to you, but good luck on your oddessey.

tigger11