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Avatar universal

Need oncology information SOON!

I recently asked a quesrion regarding a patient with a small rectal cancer that could have been treated with radiation, but the radiologist consulted with does not recommend radiation as the patient had a cobalt implant 40 years ago for cervical cancer & thinks she has had too much radiation.  She is 79 years old & NEEDS TO KNOW if there is another way to treat it without surgery requiring a colostomy.  What is the worse that could happen if she had more radiation to kill the small cancer?  Should she get another opinion from another oncologist or from another radiologist?  Would sure appreciate a quick response from a qualified person.
Thank You
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Avatar universal
Thank you very much for your reply.  Can brachy-therapy that you mentioned sometimes be used if the patient has already in her lifetime had an excess of radiation from treating a previoous cancer 40 years ago?  What harm could it do?
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351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
Definitely the patient should take a second opinion. If she is in good shape, and the tumor can be treated by localized short term brachy-therapy, then yes, this is a possibility. However, in most cases, the treatment involves surgery. Only stage zero cancer can be treated by localized removal of cancer through colonoscopy followed by short term radiation if need be. All other stages need tumor/colon resection and surgery.
Please take another opinion from an oncologist who can examine her. Take care!
Helpful - 0
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