Rectal Cancer: Habr-Gama Watch and Wait Strategy to Avoid Surgery

[roadrunner]

It may depend on where your polyps are. If they are rectal, and in the CRT “zone of death,” you should consider whether any accelerated process in that area might be due to the radiation therapy.

[Suelee20]

Roadrunner,

What is CRT zone of death? I’m trying to get a handle on the viability of surgery or some procedure of my husband’s tumor in the rectum. Granted, his cancer is not under control which is also one of the reasons why Dr doesn’t recommend surgery due to being off chemo for so long.

Thanks
Sue

[roadrunner]

I was just using a colorful term for the area in the rectum that’s in the radiation field when rectal cancer is treated. Even with current technology, healthy rectal tissue is irradiated, which causes permanent damage. In some cases, this can lead to an accelerated polyp process in that area.

[Jolene]

I was just using a colorful term for the area in the rectum that’s in the radiation field when rectal cancer is treated. Even with current technology, healthy rectal tissue is irradiated, which causes permanent damage. In some cases, this can lead to an accelerated polyp process in that area.

Gosh ! I never thought about this. A lot of the polys are in the rectal area as I do the sigmoid flex every 4 months , 6 months in the last couple of years.

This could potentially mean I should be doing a scope every other year forever to keep removing polyps.

I will ask the doctor about this possibility the next time ! He couldn't answer me when I asked why does he keep finding new polyps to remove !

[roadrunner]

I have the same concern. My colorectal surgeon is a leading edge, world-class guy, and he feels this is likely at least part of the picture. I had a TAE done last time, he did another previously by lift-and-snare. My situation is quite complicated given the risk-based approach I took, so YMMV, but yeah, it’s something to watch.