Need For Oral Chemo. Postoperatively

Hi, My husband was diagnosed with rectal CA in Feb. He had oral chemo and radiation for 6 weeks. He then had Colon resection with temportary illeostomy, and the ostomy reversal in Sept. They now want him to have Oral Chemo for 4 months but all the biopsies have been negative. We don't know if we should do the oral chemo. Any Advice... Karen

Surgery is the best way to cure rectal cancer, however there is a high rate of recurrance after surgery, leading to the recommendation of adjuvant chemotherapy (some type of 5FU, possibly oral). This has proven to reduce the recurrance rate and improve survival.

Thanks, The percentage of reoccurance that the oncologist gave us, 86% of no reoccurance, and a 2% increase if oral chemo is taken. that is only 2% increase. and 4 % increase with IV Chemo is taken. The meds have many side effects. Did you take any oral chemo after surgery?

I had a bowel resection in 2001 where they cut out my tumor, 6 inches above and 6 inches below. They biopsy showed lymphoma. My oncologist felt they got all the cancer but felt we needed to have IV chemotherapy to make sure that if there was one little cancer cell running around in my body that we killed it. So I did have the chemotherapy after the surgery. I felt all was well and it would never recurr. Surprise! Four years later my lymphoma recurred, but in my neck this time. They gave me IV chemo and put the cancer into remission. They felt I needed a Stem Cell Transplant after I was in remission. I wasn't too crazy about the idea because there are side effects to all of this. However; the doctor told me that it was a choice between living and dying. What was my choice. Well, I chose life. I have too many people who love me and depend on me to make any other choice. So if I were your husband I would go ahead and have the chemotherapy in hopes of curing the cancer rather than just putting it into remission. I hope this is helpful information. God Bless you and your husband.

It is a difficult decision to make as you must balance the potential benefits of therapy against its potential risks. You didnt say how old your husband is. If his life expectancy is great, then I would think you would do whatever is possible to help put the odds on your side. There may be side effects and the benefit may be small, but there is benefit and not everyone has bad side effects.

Hi, My husband is 42. bearskins

We are from the United States, and Yes, with have Broadband connection, and can open PDF files, The cancer my husband was dx with is rectal stage 2 early stage 3 with no lymph node involved, has had Radiation and xeloda for 6 weeks prior to a colon resection. Now the drs want post op chemo for 4 months. Are info would be greatly apprectiated. karen

I just turned 43 yrs old-female. I had the same operation as your husband and have been given a great prognosis with very low or no chance of the cancer coming back. The doctors feel eventhough I was Stage 1 with no spread to lymph nodes, I should do oral chemo. Xeloda was prescribed to me. What was prescribed to your husband and how is he doing?