Rectal Cancer

[jc1128]

My husband has stage 2 rectal cancer with the cancer right inside the anus.  He has had five weeks of 24/7 5fu chemotherapy along with five weeks of daily radiation treatments.   The treatments ended Aug 10.    The cancer has shrunk probably 75%.  Biopsies (4) of the area showed no cancer last week.  Now the doctors want to do surgery to remove his rectum and make an opening in his abdomen for a bag.   He does not want to have the surgery.  He says that the biopsies were normal so he is cured.     He says he feels wonderful, no more problems with ;pressure in his rectum.    Should he have the surgery??  
If he doesn't, what are the chances of the cancer coming back?

[Jack0427]

My husband has the same problem only his cancer is stage 3 but he had colon cancer and when we came home from the hospital he got a boil in his rectum and they said that was rectal cancer.

What was the out come of your husband did he have the surgery as they want to do the same surgery to my husband.

Thanks

Jack0427

[Godofredo MD]

Hi.

Stage II rectal cancer is also called Dukes B rectal cancer. In this type, the tumor has penetrated all the way through the bowel wall and may have invaded other organs, like the bladder, uterus, or prostate gland.

Radiation and chemotherapy is not curative of the disease and is only done to shrink the tumor and prevent its further spread prior to surgery. The affected organs would still need to be removed, otherwise, there is still a chance that the tumor would recur.

You should discuss the treatment options in depth with your surgeon.

Good luck.

[Connie 1]

better ask the doctors that.  get a second opinion if he doesn't like the story he's getting from his current docs