On 6/23/2008
SurvivorLou wrote:
What Stage was your Dad's cancer? If it was stage three, then the cancer may have spread beyond the immediate area of the rectum. If it was stage four, then it has spread beyond the area of the rectum. In either case, the chemo should help kill off any small, undetected mets.
I was stage three in 2001-2002 and had a similar treatment course recommended. I was only 45 at the time, so I thought it would help insure long term survival. So far so good. The chemo I had was called 5FU plus Leucovorin. It wasn't too debilitating for me. I was able to work through the six months postop chemo.
How old is you dad? How well did he tolerate the radiation and surgery? It's really his choice, but if he is willing and able to endure six more months of treatment, it should improve his prognosis.
Best wishes,
Lou
Lou,
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for responding and sharing your personal experience.
To answer your questions--
My dad's post surgery pathology report said the cancer was stage 2 and there was no cancer in any of the 12 lymph nodes removed, but doctors believe it could have been stage 3 before the radiation and surgery. There was some mucous in the mesteratic fat and the tumor was through the wall . . . The staging uncertainity is one of the reasons the decision is so hard. It could have been stage 2 or stage 3 tumor.
My dad is 78. But a health 78 year old that tolerate radiation very well. Surgery recovery has been more difficult and he has an ileostomy. My dad just started back to work last Monday . . .
They are offerring the same 5Fu with Leucovorin. Did you get yours intervenously? Or orally?
Thanks again and I'm glad you are doing well.
--Ann E.