Hi, I went in for my first colonoscopy at 45 years old feeling great. Dr found a tumor on the lower section of my colon the size of a strawberry. MRI of the pelvis revealing a T1/2, N0 rectal cancer. On 11/16/18 I had resection surgery that went well, 6 hr procedure LAR, I was home 2 days later and recovered very well. I have a temp ostomy bag that is working well just little sore from skin irritaion that I'm working on. The Pathology report came back with good and bad news. It showed something slightly different. Microscopically the Tumor had penetrated the colon wall therefore classifying it as a pT3. My report reads pT3, 0/18 LN involved, Negative margins, -PNI, -LVI. Radial Margin 2.9 cm clear.
Here is the question that I'm faced with. The Dr told me because it is classified as a T3 now, even though the penetration through the wall was microsopic. They are recommending 5 1/2 weeks of radiation and 5 month Chemo. He also told me based on my current results I'm 85% cancer free, if I add the radiation it will increase my odds 3% and if we add the Chemo another 3%. So best case 91%. Im having a hard time committing to 5-6 months of treatment for 6% increase in odds. With clean margins and 0 LN and 2.9 Cm radius clear I feel like id be blasting my body to treat something that we don't even
know is there? Don't get me wrong if I was at 60% and the treatments would get me to 85% I wouldn't even hesitate. Just reading the blogs and researching the side effects of Chemo and Radiation I'm not sure the 3 to 6% increase in odds out weighs the possible side effects of the treatments? The radiation down in the pelvic area has a lot of side effects because there is so much down there in such a confined area. So Im considering just the Chemo but then again to put my body through 5-6 months of chemo to add 3% seems crazy. Don't take me wrong, Im very thankful to be in the situation I'm in at 85% and probably cancer free. Im just trying to do the smartest thing for my body and the next 6 months of my life. If I do take treatments it will also prolong the temp ostomy bag until 6 weeks after all treatments are done, so instead of 3-4 months id be wearing it for 7-8 months?
Does anyone have any advice or similar situation. Id appreciate any feed back. Thanks in advance!