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Dad diagnosed with bowel cancer age 83

Ghe3104
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Hi my dad 83, during a colonoscopy was diagnosed with a malignant tumour today in the ascending colon which is 8cm in length (distance 70cm??). They have told him they will see him in two weeks with treatment options.

Prior to this he also has kidney cancer it is slow growing and was being monitored.  He has a pacemaker as well so I am concerned as to what treatments can be made available.

I’ve so many questions and although fortunately they are following an appointment swiftly, 2 weeks still just seems a lifetime to wait without answers   

is 8cm large and if so is it still treatable?  will they likely operate at 83 with a pacemaker? Can chemo be offered with a pacemaker? 

i am trying hard not to be a Google doctor but am frantically searching for answers and getting lost with all sorts of information online  

Any reassurance or factual information would be super helpful  thank you in advance  

  • Hello, and thank you for posting.

    I am sorry to learn of your dad's situation, this must be a difficult time for you and your family.

    I can appreciate that having to wait a couple of weeks to speak with the team can feel like a long time and can be a worrying time. I am afraid as nurses not involved in your dad's care, we cannot give a medical opinion or say what the treatment options are for your dad.

    This depends on several things such as the position and size of the tumour, how far it has spread (Stage), how abnormal the cells look under the microscope (grade) as well as how your dad is generally, what his fitness level is and whether or not he has other health conditions.

    The doctors will also discuss your dad's case at the multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT), where a team of consultants, nurses and radiographers, will attend to plan treatment. We have information about bowel cancer and how it is treated on our website.

    Whilst you are waiting for your appointment with the specialist, it might be worth seeing if you can speak with the nurse specialist (CNS), who might be able to help clarify things a bit more.

    Please feel free to get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    Take care, all the best

    Jemma

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