My dad has been diagnosed with rectal cancel stage 1 (3cm from anus), CT scan and MRI showed no other areas affected but the surgeon mentione that since the tumor is so low and there is a possiblilty that it might spread to the lymp nodes at the groin areas as they have swelled.
The treament options are
1) Remove the whole rectum with permanent colostomy
2) Remove the affected area (2cm tumor) follow by radio and chemo therapy by saving the anus without colostomy. However this would not guarantee bowel control as the tumor is so close to the anus and some of the sphincter muscle might need to be removed.
We have opted treatment option 1. Would appreciate your advise if this is the correct decision and what are the chances of my dad? Thanks!