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First oncology appointment

cath04
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Hi, been on my my oncology appointment yesterday.  The consultants said I have stage 4 recurrent bowel cancer, it's inoperable and not curable, Ct scan showed both lungs with nodules, tumour  in sacrum/pelvis and  enlarged lymph nodes, also the enlarged lymph nodes are oustside my bowel but very close ti it. 

I was shocked when he said no chemotherapy would be offered just now as I have no symptoms. He said best to wait 3 months for another Ct scan to see if they have grown, one is 4cm the other is 3.5cm and they are not really sure at the moment what the lung bodies are as they are to small. 
 

I asked him does he know if they are growing fast or slow, he said he didn't know, so I replied so in 3 months they could double in size!!I said I would have thought you would want to start chemo when they were smaller. He said not when you have no symptoms!!

 

has anyone else encountered this and is this normal routine practice? Or has he just written me off?

  • Hi cath04,

    That does sound a little strange, although I am no medical expert so am unfortunately unable to advise too much on this. I can certainly understand your questions and confusion about this though.

    I would suggest either trying to speak to him again, or possibly to your GP, to try to get some further understanding on this.

    Initially you may wish to give our nurses a call to talk things through. If you'd like to do this, you can reach them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday-Friday, 9-5).

    In the meantime, we're always here for support on the forum whenever you need it.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Cath 

    could you book another appointment with another oncologist for a second opinion I think that's what I would do x 

  • Offline in reply to laraj

    Hi, thank you for your reply..

    the next time I have a meeting with him and I'm not happy I will do that. He's mentioned waiting for genetic testing coming back from pathology, 

  • Offline in reply to cath04

    Cath 

    I thibk sometimes we need answers straight away cause we can't get on with if what's maybes in the same I need to no before I can settle, cause it's hard work when they don't explain fully , I don't think they do it on purpose I thibk they just assume we understand and we don't xx I would deffo book a second opinion if you are not happy my beauticians mum had a similar situation and webt to London for a second opinion and is now 75 living a normal life but was told bad news prior xx I hope this helps xxxx

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