Annie50 wrote:susie0915 wrote:This is my question about wait and watch. I had a sigmoid and pet scan after radio/chemo. The pet scan showed no cancer and the surgeon said all that was left was scar tissue after the sigmoid. I did have surgery and the pathology did show minimal residual cancer cells in the area where tumor was, but clear margins and 0/24 lymph nodes. So if no biopsies were done pet scan was NED, and sigmoid showed only scar tissue I definitely would've had a recurrence if was offered wait and watch. All the was offered to me was the possibility of no chemo after surgery depending on pathology.
Hi Susie
I don't really quite get it but I wlll find out ! I think the medical theory they are working to with watch and wait is something to do with if you have had a clinical complete response verified by biopsy as well as sigmoidoscopy then they assume that any lymph nodes will also have had a complete response so cancer cells gone. My questions is that some people seem to have had extra chemo after complete response as back up / belt and braces and some don't ? So I don't know why some do and some don't ?.. ! My consultant who is at The Christie which is a specialist centre for cancer and watch and wait took several biopsies of the area and around the area and all were clear for cancer cells or even dysplasia .. he said they don't allow watch and wait unless biopsies come back clear with no residual as well as looking via sigmoidoscopy under anaesthetic.. it's confusing!! Xx Annie xxx
Having the biopsy I think is critical. I know it is not guaranteed cancer cells did not get in bloodstream, but at least no cells are detected in original tumor area. I know I was shocked when my surgeon told me all that was left was scar tissue after the sigmoidoscopy and the pet scan detected no cancer. But obviously if biopsies would've been done I still would've needed surgery. I was thrilled with the chance of no chemo after surgery. But I did 6 rounds and was doable. I am not sure why some doctors don't recommend more chemo since cells could get into bloodstream, that was the reasoning my oncologist gave me after surgery even though I was considered NED.