The Colon Club

I just met with my surgeon this evening. I finished 30 rounds of radiation and Xeloda October 10th. My surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy next week to see what to do before surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9th. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this.

SC77 wrote:I just met with my surgeon this evening. I finished 30 rounds of radiation and Xeloda October 10th. My surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy next week to see what to do before surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9th. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this.

I don't know if it is normal or not, but I would say that it would have to be done by a very experienced doctor who knows the risk of bowel perforation just after conclusion of pelvic radiation and who will be exceptionally careful during the procedure.

SC77 wrote:I just met with my surgeon this evening. I finished 30 rounds of radiation and Xeloda October 10th. My surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy next week to see what to do before surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9th. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this.

I didn't have a colonoscopy before surgery after radiation, they gave me another CT to see how things were. I'd be a little nervous about getting a colonoscopy so soon after radiation. I was told the tissue is so fragile, that even pushing for a hard bowel movement could tear it. You may want to question this decision.

SC77 wrote:I just met with my surgeon this evening. I finished 30 rounds of radiation and Xeloda October 10th. My surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy next week to see what to do before surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9th. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this.

My surgeon wanted an MRI four weeks after the end of chemo and radiation for planning purposes. It provided a considerable amount of useful information for the surgeon and me. My surgeon told me about the MRI and surgery plan before I started chemo and radiation so I was expecting the MRI request. I did not know that this could be done with a colonoscopy as well.

I had a pet scan after chemo/radiation. I didn't have another colonoscopy until a year after my surgery. I'm not sure if it is normal.

susie0915 wrote:I had a pet scan after chemo/radiation. I didn't have another colonoscopy until a year after my surgery. I'm not sure if it is normal.

It sounds like surgeons use MRI, Pet Scan and Colonoscopy as their main tools for surgical planning. Maybe CT scans as well?

Aqx99 wrote:I didn't have a colonoscopy before surgery after radiation, they gave me another CT to see how things were. I'd be a little nervous about getting a colonoscopy so soon after radiation. I was told the tissue is so fragile, that even pushing for a hard bowel movement could tear it. You may want to question this decision.

I'm not aware of anyone who got scoped following radiation. I would ask the surgeon why. Form a personal view point, I was so sore and tender in that area following radiation, not sure I could have handled a scope at that time.

Good luck,

Lee

I second everyone else, when it comes to tissue damage after radiation. I was pretty damaged myself, having suffered a 3 degree burn in my a-hole... You should choose your surgeon wisely, and be aware of the risks involved.

I in my case had a sigmoidescopy and a CT scan before surgery. It was important for me and for my surgeon to have a direct visual evaluation done, before it all went down.

But she is a very experienced surgeon and for me it was worth the risk, giving her more security in planning for my surgery.

So, yeah, there are people who are scoped right before surgery, just make sure you are in good hands and that the surgeon scoping you is the same that is going to perform your surgery... that would be my advice...

All the best for your surgery..
I hope it goes smoothly!

Ana

SC77 wrote:I just met with my surgeon this evening. I finished 30 rounds of radiation and Xeloda October 10th. My surgeon wants to do a colonoscopy next week to see what to do before surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 9th. Is this normal? I wasn't expecting this.

Is your surgeon a board certified colon rectal surgeon? If not, I would HIGHLY recommend getting one. You really want a surgeon with the extra training when dealing with rectal cancer.

Lee

I forgot I did have a sigmoidoscopy after chemo/rad. That's when the surgeon told me all that was left of tumor was scar tissue. So maybe a colonoscopy can be
standard procedure. I don't think a sigmoidoscopy goes as far as a colonoscopy, but I had rectal cancer that was only 5 cm from anal verge. It wasn't bad, I don't remember having any problems with it.

susie0915 wrote:I forgot I did have a sigmoidoscopy after chemo/rad. That's when the surgeon told me all that was left of tumor was scar tissue. So maybe a colonoscopy can be
standard procedure. I don't think a sigmoidoscopy goes as far as a colonoscopy, but I had rectal cancer that was only 5 cm from anal verge. It wasn't bad, I don't remember having any problems with it.

How soon we forget! I had a digital exam and a sigmoidoscopy before my surgery. I guess I was blocking out the part where he told me he could wiggle my tumor around, whereas he couldn't before.

Aqx99 wrote:

susie0915 wrote:I forgot I did have a sigmoidoscopy after chemo/rad. That's when the surgeon told me all that was left of tumor was scar tissue. So maybe a colonoscopy can be
standard procedure. I don't think a sigmoidoscopy goes as far as a colonoscopy, but I had rectal cancer that was only 5 cm from anal verge. It wasn't bad, I don't remember having any problems with it.

How soon we forget! I had a digital exam and a sigmoidoscopy before my surgery. I guess I was blocking out the part where he told me he could wiggle my tumor around, whereas he couldn't before.

I had the digital before and after chemo and radiation as well.

Aqx99 wrote:

susie0915 wrote:I forgot I did have a sigmoidoscopy after chemo/rad. That's when the surgeon told me all that was left of tumor was scar tissue. So maybe a colonoscopy can be
standard procedure. I don't think a sigmoidoscopy goes as far as a colonoscopy, but I had rectal cancer that was only 5 cm from anal verge. It wasn't bad, I don't remember having any problems with it.

How soon we forget! I had a digital exam and a sigmoidoscopy before my surgery. I guess I was blocking out the part where he told me he could wiggle my tumor around, whereas he couldn't before.

Lol. I know. but it's right there in my signature.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! It is much appreciated. I'm confused and worried. My surgeon is not a rectal cancer specialist. There isn't one in my area. He has a good reputation. My original surgeon who performed my first colonoscopy told me he would not do the operation because of the complexities of rectal cancer. The nearest specialist is 3 hours away.

I don't have pain or burns from the radiation. Except for a bit of lingering cystitis and some hip and back pain after standing or working all day, I feel all right. I'm an elementary teacher and I've been working through treatment.

Now I have doubt and I'm questioning everthing. This has probably been my most depressed day so far.

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! It is much appreciated. I'm confused and worried. My surgeon is not a rectal cancer specialist. There isn't one in my area. He has a good reputation. My original surgeon who performed my first colonoscopy told me he would not do the operation because of the complexities of rectal cancer. The nearest specialist is 3 hours away.

I don't have pain or burns from the radiation. Except for a bit of lingering cystitis and some hip and back pain after standing or working all day, I feel all right. I'm an elementary teacher and I've been working through treatment.

Now I have doubt and I'm questioning everthing. This has probably been my most depressed day so far.