Hello, my husband was diagnosed with CRC a moth ago. He had a large mass in the cecum (7 x 7.5 cm), so he had a right colectomy procedure. Based on pathology, the tumor was T3N0 (19 nodes removed). The cells were well differentiated (Low Grade). Further pathology tests, however, were confusing and we are not sure what we should do.
The MSI test indicated "MSI Stable (also known as MSS)" but his Oncotype DX score was 17, which only indicated 3% improvement in survival with chemotherapy. I requested CEA assay prior to surgery, but our surgeon didn't order it. We had it done only after the surgery (it was 1.0). My husband is also slightly anemic (prior surgery and even after) with platelet number >400. The CT scan indicated a 1.3 cm low-attenuation lesion in the posterior segment right hepatic lobe as indeterminate. The doctor ordered MRI with and without contrast to further investigate.
So here is what I struggle with: MSS shows lower survival and worse prognosis, but the Oncotype test had a low score. If the lesion is not a tumor, he should be ok, but on cancer.org they say that patients with MSS and early stage CRC should be given a more aggressive treatment. Is anybody experiencing the same dilemma between chemo or not? What should we do? My husband is 42 years old and we have 2 small children that need him very much. Thank you.