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Pathology results are in

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 3:43 pm
by Cmarie03
I had my surgery 8/20/19 at Md Anderson in Houston. I was stage 3C rectal cancer. The tumor had grown into my posterior vaginal wall. Surgery consisted of APR (abdominal perineal resection), complete hysterectomy (was gonna keep these organs but when they got in there said it had to come out), vaginal reconstruction and a permanent colostomy. Surgery lasted about 12 hours!! Science is wild.

My doctor emailed me the results of pathology report and we have our appt Wednesday to go over it:

“Your pathology came back and all of your tumor was necrotic and not viable meaning that the cancer cells had all been killed by the chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
All of the lymph nodes were also negative for viable cancer as well. Finally, the margins were all negative.
We will give you a copy of the pathology report next week when you return to see us in the office.”

I’m interpreting this as most excellent news!!!!

This has been a long 8 months of chemo, radiation and finally surgery. I poured over this forum when I was first diagnosed and so scared. Every scary thing I was terrified of I just put one foot in front of the other and I cannot believe I’m already on the other side of surgery. Still trying to get used to idea of colostomy for life but what’s done is done. I just want to be able to see my kids grow up!! Everyone keep up the good fight!!

Re: Pathology results are in

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 6:56 pm
by Kick'nAssCancer'sAss
Congrats on the pCR. I think about 20% of us rectal patients get em.

Re: Pathology results are in

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 5:28 pm
by NHMike
I'm glad that you had a Pathological Complete Response and now starts getting used to the new normal. A 12 hour surgery is a very long surgery. I think that most LARs run around five hours. Adjusting to the changes is part of the new normal.

Re: Pathology results are in

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2019 11:21 pm
by tater
Cmarie03 wrote:I had my surgery 8/20/19 at Md Anderson in Houston. I was stage 3C rectal cancer. The tumor had grown into my posterior vaginal wall. Surgery consisted of APR (abdominal perineal resection), complete hysterectomy (was gonna keep these organs but when they got in there said it had to come out), vaginal reconstruction and a permanent colostomy. Surgery lasted about 12 hours!! Science is wild.

My doctor emailed me the results of pathology report and we have our appt Wednesday to go over it:

“Your pathology came back and all of your tumor was necrotic and not viable meaning that the cancer cells had all been killed by the chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
All of the lymph nodes were also negative for viable cancer as well. Finally, the margins were all negative.
We will give you a copy of the pathology report next week when you return to see us in the office.”

I’m interpreting this as most excellent news!!!!

This has been a long 8 months of chemo, radiation and finally surgery. I poured over this forum when I was first diagnosed and so scared. Every scary thing I was terrified of I just put one foot in front of the other and I cannot believe I’m already on the other side of surgery. Still trying to get used to idea of colostomy for life but what’s done is done. I just want to be able to see my kids grow up!! Everyone keep up the good fight!!



You sound just like my wife. She too had a 12 hour surgery. Here rectal tumor had grown into or attached to the uterus and the top part of the vagina. She too also had a great pathology report come back. It was a long recovery for her, its a lot to take our and mess with. Good luck with the recovery and hopefully they now call you NED.

Re: Pathology results are in

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2019 12:38 am
by CRguy
Cmarie03 wrote:I had my surgery 8/20/19 at Md Anderson in Houston. I was stage 3C rectal cancer. The tumor had grown into my posterior vaginal wall. Surgery consisted of APR (abdominal perineal resection), complete hysterectomy (was gonna keep these organs but when they got in there said it had to come out), vaginal reconstruction and a permanent colostomy. Surgery lasted about 12 hours!! Science is wild.

My doctor emailed me the results of pathology report and we have our appt Wednesday to go over it:

“Your pathology came back and all of your tumor was necrotic and not viable meaning that the cancer cells had all been killed by the chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
All of the lymph nodes were also negative for viable cancer as well. Finally, the margins were all negative.
We will give you a copy of the pathology report next week when you return to see us in the office.”

I’m interpreting this as most excellent news!!!!

This has been a long 8 months of chemo, radiation and finally surgery. I poured over this forum when I was first diagnosed and so scared. Every scary thing I was terrified of I just put one foot in front of the other and I cannot believe I’m already on the other side of surgery. Still trying to get used to idea of colostomy for life but what’s done is done. I just want to be able to see my kids grow up!! Everyone keep up the good fight!!


You have just been through the wringer my friend

You have come OUT the other side with a GREAT attitude and outlook !!!

Cancer ain't easy..... or only sissies would do it.
WE here .... are no sissies 'cos we kick ASS and take names !!!
AND .... I agree All good news moving forward

YOU ROCK BIG TIME !!!!!!!!

Heartfelt best wishes and MEGA CHEERS

In Harmony
CRguy on the journey with you

Re: Pathology results are in

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:48 pm
by DarknessEmbraced
Wonderful news! :D