Cancer Research UK main site
  • Replies 4 replies
  • Views 516 views
  • Users 0 members are here

How imporrtant is post op chemo

BillyboyD
Offline

Dear fellow survivors and fighters, I had a successful Ivor Lewis operation to remove my T3N1M0 tumour on the 21st of November last year and have had a smooth recovery with the usual eating/dumping issues but feeling very blessed. My oncologist has recently told me that there is no point in me having the post op chemo as the pre op chemo had little affect on my tumour. Can I ask if there is anyone else on here who are in a similiar situation or have any advise on other forms of treatment to avoid the disease from reoccuring. I was pretty much convinced by my oncologist before that the post op chemo is a must to help prevent reoccurance but he has now changed his advise as the pathology reports suggest that the benefits would be too low to bother. Thank you Bill

  • Hi Bill and welcome to Cancer Chat.

    It's great to hear your surgery was successful and that your recovery has gone well although I'm sorry for the concerns you have about no longer having post op chemo.

    You could try getting a second opinion about this from another doctor but before doing so you're more than welcome to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very insightful and will do all they can to answer your questions and hopefully put you more at ease about the decision your oncologist has made.

    Hopefully some of our members who have been in a similar situation will share their stories and advice with you soon as well.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline

    Hello BillyboyD,

                                its good to read a post that points to a positive outcome. As far as chemo is concerned it would make no sense in doing it if it made no impact on the type of cancer cells you were afflicted with. For my own part pre op treatment damaged me, post op destroyed me, so whilst l appreciate your concerns, there seems little benefit in pain for no gain.

    Since this is a position you are unable to change, l would say crack on, don't look back and make the very best of your second chance.

    l live by the motto the futures always forward, and since the chemo affected my memory l find this surprisingly easy to live up to,

    Happy days,  David

  • Offline in reply to gruntifen

    Hi David,

    thank you so much for your reply.

    I have been lost in confusion and self pity for the last week or so and your kind words have invigurated me into realising just how lucky I am and how I cannot change the unchangeable.

    Thank you for taking the time and instilling a little self belief back into my beliegered mind,

    Cheers, Bill

  • Offline in reply to BillyboyD

     

    HI BillyboyD,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I can understand how disappointed you feel. Although this is only to be expected, there is no point in continuing with a treatment that isn't working for you. 

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 13 years. The second bout followed only a year after the first. I had been advised to take Tamoxifen after my lumpectomy, but it was obvious that this hadn't done what it was supposed to,when I discovered the second cancer. My Tamoxifen was immediately stopped and I was put on Letrozole, a drug which had been deemed unsuitable for me the previous year. This was because, although post-menopausal, I had a lot of arthritic joints. My consultant thought that the side-effects of Letrozole would only make the Arthritis worsen. He was right, as I eventually had to have both knees replaced, along with a number of other problems.

    I perservered with hormone therapy for 6 and a half years, despite losing my sight and being left with greatly decreased mobility and am fortunate to still be here all these years later. It sounds as if you are recovering well. The worry about recurrence is one that affects everyone who has a cancer diagnosis, but it is one that we have to learn to live with.

    I expect that your consultant is going to monitor you for a while now. If there was any sign of recurrence, you might be suitable candidate for one of the trials.

    Here's hoping that this never comes to pass and you can live each day to the full.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you're getting on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine 

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.