Hi, I am a 30-year-old woman and I have been recently diagnosed with rectal cancer, staged as T3 N1 M0.
The tumor is very low, about 2cm away from the anus. The surgeon is telling me that the anus must be removed as well as the colon, resulting in a permanent colostomy. I haven't seen the oncologist yet.
At 30 I am not sure if I can cope with a lifetime with a colostomy. Are there other options? I haven't been told that there is direct involvement with the anus; I know the surgeon would like a clear margin but I would really like to retain bowel control and avoid a colostomy if at all possible.
Can someone please offer any advice? Thanks very much.