Just wanted to post an update on my mom's results of her biopsy. We met with the surgeon on Wed and they confirmed that she did have rectal cancer. They stated that her CAT scan looked really good (as did her bloodwork) and they are sending her to Shreveport for a PET scan next week. She will then go back to her surgeon here for them to discuss treatment options.

According to the surgeon there are 3 treatment options. Surgery only, Surgery followed by Chemo/Radiation or Chemo/Radiation followed by surgery. They did however tell my mom that she needed to gain some weight (she was a bit underweight) so they told her to start drinking 3 Ensure's a day.

At this point, it looks like this is the beginning of a long road. My mom and family all seem pretty upbeat about it and are just determined to beat this. Thanks again for all your help!

My thoughts are with your family, and its great news that the scan you have had so far look good.

I have just finished the first phase of my rectal cancer treatment. I am not nearly as knowledgable as some here, but will tell you that there is lower local recurrence - meaning coming back in the same area - if you have chemo/radiation as part of your rectal cancer treatment. That is not to say that you can't be successful with just surgery and chemo, but the studies say the additional chemo/radiation really does reduce local recurrence, which is a bigger problem with rectal cancer than with colon cancer.

The pelvic area is harder to operate on, too, and when you get the chemo/radiation beforehand, it helps downsize it so it can be better and more completely removed in surgery.

Best of luck, Ensure is a great way to get nutriotion and calories in a easy way. Keep us posted.

jeni

Newlywed,

Again, sorry for your mother. I had rectal cancer also. I was told having radiation prior to surgery is very successful with rectal cancer (I believe Jeni said it best) followed with chemo after surgery.

Will she be having a COLON RECTAL SURGEON? I would HIGHLY recommend this.

Have they talked to her about having a bag, tempoary or permenent? Seeing an Ostomy Nurse would be a good idea.

Good luck, sounds like your mother is in very good hands.

Lee

Thank you Jeni for your information. I am feeling very hopeful for her. I just had a couple of questions. According to her Dr., all of her treatments will be at the local hospital. In the chance that she does have to have chemo/radiation, is this done outpatient? If so, how long will each procedure last? I know that every case is different but do you or anyone have any idea how long she would do chemo/radiation? Thanks for any help you have. This board has been wonderful!!

It is done outpatient, but is typically daily -- meaning Mon - Fri -- so it is involved.

Usually the chemo is delivered via a pump. Your mom would simply wear the pump. Most get chemo the whole time the radiation goes on, typically 5 or 6 weeks, but I and JayDees had "bookended" chemo, where we just got the pump the first and last weeks of radiation.

The radiation treatments are fast but every day Mon - Fri, so it is a convenience issue. It takes me about 35 - 40 minutes to reach the place I get care, but the treatments, including all waiting time, checkin time, were literally done in 10 minutes. It was just zap, zap, zap. I think this is true for all radiation it is very powerful so it doesn't last long.

jeni