Postby weisssoccermom » Sat Oct 31, 2015 9:55 am
Welcome Willie to our club. I'm sure you'll find many helpful people here.
I understand your questions/concerns but honestly, because the polyp does contain cancerous cells, the operation that is being suggested is standard of care. Here's one of the reasons. You know that there are cancerous cells in that polyp which means that it is possible, depending on the location of the tumor and your father's particular anatomy, for even one cancerous cell to have gotten into either (or both) the lymphatic or vascular system in his body. I realize that it doesn't seem likely as the polyp isn't overly large, only a small portion of it contains cancer, etc. but believe me, cancer is so unpredictable that it is best to have the operation that the surgeon is recommending. If the GI doc wasn't comfortable trying to get the polyp out because of its shape, my first inclination is to believe it is flat polyp.....and those are much more 'dangerous' than the typical polyps with a well defined stalk. Just an FYI....had the GI been able to remove the polyp in its entirety, your father would likely be looking at the same surgery. No doctor wants to run the risk that there are cancerous cells remaining in the surrounding tissue....even if it appears that the polyp was completely removed.
There is a reason that the surgeons do this particular surgery....studies have shown that it is beneficial, in the long run, to the patient. Better to remove the surrounding, potentially affected area NOW, rather than wait to see if even one cancerous cell had remained and then be dealing with a bigger problem.
Did the surgeon say when they would be able to operate on your father? Here is a link where you can go to find a board certified colon and rectal surgeon in your area. A general surgeon can also perform this surgery, however, if there are other mitigating factors, such as your father's weight, you may want to consider a specialist who could best handle the case.
Good luck. Please let us know how your dad is doing and what another surgeon says.
Dx 6/22/2006 IIA rectal cancer
6 wks rad/Xeloda -finished 9/06
1st attempt transanal excision 11/06
11/17/06 XELOX 1 cycle
5 months Xeloda only Dec '06 - April '07
10+ blood clots, 1 DVT 1/07
transanal excision 4/20/07 path-NO CANCER CELLS!
NED now and forever!
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