Postby Lee » Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:53 pm
Hi and welcome,
So sorry your post was over looked. It seems we had a lot of new comers all at once. I believe you are missing some information with T3. The Dukes classification works off of a TNM representation. The T represents the tumor location. The N represents the lymph nodes involvement (if any). The M represents metastasis (if any).
If 3 lymph nodes were positive for cancer, he is a stage III. Do you know if the tumor is in the rectum or colon?
I would say his prognosis is good if he is a stage III. I was diagnosed that 13 yrs ago and I am very much alive today. Because he has cancer cells in his lymph nodes, he will need chemo. The chemo is to kill off any stray cells floating around his body looking for a new place to grow (metastasis Stage IV).
I'm sure you have many questions, know that you have come to the right place for information and support. So please, fire away with any and all your question.
And again, welcome, sorry for the reason you are here.
Lee
P.S. Just saw he has rectal cancer. 2 things. Make sure he has a board certified colon rectal surgeon doing his surgery. And he should have radiation prior to surgery.
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!