The Colon Club

I seem to be one of the rare people that has a submucosal cecal mass that is questionable. Can’t tell if it’s benign or malignant. My GI says it has to come out. Two different colon rectal surgeons are recommending a right hemicolectomy just in case it’s malignant. I don’t want to lose part of my colon for nothing but also don’t want to risk leaving it if any chance it’s malignant. Anyone in same situation? What’d you do?

Any scans or imaging ( PET / CT ), MRI or ultrasounds done ?
Have they talked about possible biopsy first ?
Would they do intra-operative "quick" pathology to get an idea of what it is before full resection ?

Sounds like you may need your docs to talk to you about possible options if you are not committed to right hemi
Tough choice, but knowledge is power

Best wishes
CRguy

Had a CT scan which was inconclusive. Only option being offered to me by 2 surgeons is right hemi. Asked about frozen section. Apparently not 100% accurate in GI masses.

My husband just had a right hemicolectomy last week for what we initially thought was stage 1. He was in the hospital for 3 days and is recovering well. Expected to return to work on the 20th. There has not been any change in his stool or anything else of concern. When pathology came back after surgery we found it was a stage 2. Staples coming out Tuesday.

Just search this forum for "right hemicolectomy".
Some people are back to almost normal in a few weeks.
Other people have severe issues after 10 years.

Right hemicolectomy removes ileo-cecal valve, that is an important part of your digestive system.

Is colonoscopic removal of your mass an option?

I had a right hemi in November 2016. No problem with recovery. It is over 1 1/2 years and I feel like I never had surgery. Just make sure, if you decide to have surgery, that you go to a board certified colon rectal surgeon. It makes a difference.

Beckster, where in NJ are you? Who did your surgery?

mcac15 wrote:Beckster, where in NJ are you? Who did your surgery?

Southern NJ.....Dr Stephen McClane at Cooper University, head of colon rectal surgery and co director of MD Anderson, performed my surgery. He is a rock star! Had my surgery at 8:00am on a Friday and was discharged by 6:00am on Sunday. Went home with no pain medicine! I feel like I never had surgery

Here is his credentials
https://www.cooperhealth.org/doctors/steven-mcclane-md

Utwo wrote:Just search this forum for "right hemicolectomy".
Some people are back to almost normal in a few weeks.
Other people have severe issues after 10 years.

Right hemicolectomy removes ileo-cecal valve, that is an important part of your digestive system.

Is colonoscopic removal of your mass an option?

Can’t remove with colonoscopy as it’s submucosal and sitting on opening to appendix and close to ileo-cecal valve.

Beckster wrote:

mcac15 wrote:Beckster, where in NJ are you? Who did your surgery?

Southern NJ.....Dr Stephen McClane at Cooper University, head of colon rectal surgery and co director of MD Anderson, performed my surgery. He is a rock star! Had my surgery at 8:00am on a Friday and was discharged by 6:00am on Sunday. Went home with no pain medicine! I feel like I never had surgery

Here is his credentials
https://www.cooperhealth.org/doctors/steven-mcclane-md

Your ascending colon was removed or just cecum?

They found my mass during an op for “woman’s troubles”, I didn’t know it was there. The surgeons gave me a right hemicholectomy as well. Thankfully!

When they took it out they could not tell what it was, I had a bit of a wait for the pathology results. Stage 2 cancer with a T4 tumour, one that was right through my bowel wall. Thankfully no spread anywhere else. I’m so glad they used their experience, and did what they thought needed done.

So yes, I need to avoid having a popcorn feast, and yes I’m on b12 injections for life, however I think it’s a small price to pay for being cancer free now.

When I put my car in the garage, I like to think I know what’s wrong, but I trust the mechanic to fix it, I tend to take the same approach with surgery, I ask lots of questions, read up as much as I can, and bottom line trust the docs.

Find one that works well with oncologists, so you get the best treatment and best results you can.

mcac15 wrote:

Beckster wrote:

mcac15 wrote:Beckster, where in NJ are you? Who did your surgery?

Southern NJ.....Dr Stephen McClane at Cooper University, head of colon rectal surgery and co director of MD Anderson, performed my surgery. He is a rock star! Had my surgery at 8:00am on a Friday and was discharged by 6:00am on Sunday. Went home with no pain medicine! I feel like I never had surgery

Here is his credentials
https://www.cooperhealth.org/doctors/steven-mcclane-md

Your ascending colon was removed or just cecum?

A right hemicolectomy operation is to remove the right-hand portion of the colon, which includes the appendix, cecum, and ascending colon.

Leeloo wrote:I’m on b12 injections for life, however I think it’s a small price to pay for being cancer free now.

I apologize for thread drift.

Why do you need B12 in case of right hemicolectomy?
Why do you need injections instead of pills?