Low rectal tumor

Hi, I am a 30-year-old woman and I have been recently diagnosed with rectal cancer, staged as T3 N1 M0.

The tumor is very low, about 2cm away from the anus. The surgeon is telling me that the anus must be removed as well as the colon, resulting in a permanent colostomy. I haven't seen the oncologist yet.

At 30 I am not sure if I can cope with a lifetime with a colostomy. Are there other options? I haven't been told that there is direct involvement with the anus; I know the surgeon would like a clear margin but I would really like to retain bowel control and avoid a colostomy if at all possible.

Can someone please offer any advice? Thanks very much.

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

I am sorry to hear about your affliction with rectal cancer. I do hope that whatever treatment is done on you, it would be successful.

Regarding your question on treatment options, your cancer is already Dukes C rectal cancer and the following may be done.

- Resection with or without anastomosis (joining the cut ends of the rectum and colon, or the colon and anus) followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Partial or total pelvic exenteration (surgery to remove the organs and nearby structures of the pelvis), depending on where the cancer has spread. Surgery is followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy followed by surgery and chemotherapy.
- Radiation therapy during surgery followed by external-beam radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy to relieve symptoms caused by advanced cancer

You should talk to your surgeon and oncologist for the best possible treatment option in your case.

Good luck

[sadaf111]

my mother also had surgery n she has colostomy but it doesnt bother her n its not even difficult to change it...sum patients change by themselves but sum go to hospitals...thas not the issue....infcat its in ur clothes..nobody knows..