May need colon surgery

[Anonymous]

You'll be sedated so it won't be so bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband had an ESD last summer to remove a large 30 mm polyp, which was benign. He had three back to back colonoscopies about four to six weeks apart. The doctor that found the polyp during the first colonoscopy, tried to remove it during the second one, but was unsuccessful, so my husband was referred to another doctor for an ESD. A surgery was mentioned as an option if ESD was unsuccessful, but was not needed in the end. Husband has to return for his next colonoscopy in three years.

PP, thanks for sharing DH’s experience! Very good news to hear they were finally able to completely remove the polyp with ESD. Must have been such a relief to finally get it over with.

[Anonymous]

Looks like follow up is tomorrow. Let us know how it goes!

[Anonymous]

Good luck, OP. Not exactly the same but it was colon surgery. My mom had stage 2 colon cancer back in 2007. I don't know what part of the colon. She had surgery to remove the cancer, and did not need chemo or radiation.

She was 65 years old at the time, and other wise in good shape. She recovered quickly from the surgery. She did have some bathroom urgency issues, where she had to be very close to a bathroom for about a year after. But that stablized and hasn't been a problem since. She's a 19 year survivor now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck, OP. Not exactly the same but it was colon surgery. My mom had stage 2 colon cancer back in 2007. I don't know what part of the colon. She had surgery to remove the cancer, and did not need chemo or radiation.

She was 65 years old at the time, and other wise in good shape. She recovered quickly from the surgery. She did have some bathroom urgency issues, where she had to be very close to a bathroom for about a year after. But that stablized and hasn't been a problem since. She's a 19 year survivor now.

Thank you PP. This is very reassuring and glad your Mom is doing so well!!

My appointment is tomorrow so will report back. I have a really good feeling about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of polyp is it?

I believe it is a sessile serrated polyp but don’t have the path report yet. The surgeon was not able to remove the whole thing through the scope but IIRC did remove some pieces of it.

I had one of these and went back for a second “enhanced colonoscopy” two months after the first one for them to remove bigger margins. They marked the area with dye so that they could keep an eye on the area with future exams. I think they put me on a 6 month rotation for colonoscopies for a couple of years just to be cautious (now I go every year).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What type of polyp is it?

I believe it is a sessile serrated polyp but don’t have the path report yet. The surgeon was not able to remove the whole thing through the scope but IIRC did remove some pieces of it.

I had one of these and went back for a second “enhanced colonoscopy” two months after the first one for them to remove bigger margins. They marked the area with dye so that they could keep an eye on the area with future exams. I think they put me on a 6 month rotation for colonoscopies for a couple of years just to be cautious (now I go every year).

Thank you! It’s very encouraging to hear different experiences and to hear surgery is not always needed. Glad you were able to avoid it, PP.

[Anonymous]

OP reporting back. The tissue that was biopsied was precancerous. The part embedded in the wall, was not able to be biopsied.

Options: possible ESD procedure in one year ( with risk of perforation due to location) hemicolectomy, or yearly colonoscopies until it becomes malignant.

This is my understanding. Still processing the info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP reporting back. The tissue that was biopsied was precancerous. The part embedded in the wall, was not able to be biopsied.

Options: possible ESD procedure in one year ( with risk of perforation due to location) hemicolectomy, or yearly colonoscopies until it becomes malignant.

This is my understanding. Still processing the info.

That's a lot to process. I'd suggest you get more than one opinion. I don't know if there's a "right" way to go here. At least what you can see is not cancerous at this point. And you'll be under a watchful eye. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP reporting back. The tissue that was biopsied was precancerous. The part embedded in the wall, was not able to be biopsied.

Options: possible ESD procedure in one year ( with risk of perforation due to location) hemicolectomy, or yearly colonoscopies until it becomes malignant.

This is my understanding. Still processing the info.

That's a lot to process. I'd suggest you get more than one opinion. I don't know if there's a "right" way to go here. At least what you can see is not cancerous at this point. And you'll be under a watchful eye. Good luck.

Thank you very much. Thinking maybe the specialist endoscopist can serve as my second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP reporting back. The tissue that was biopsied was precancerous. The part embedded in the wall, was not able to be biopsied.

Options: possible ESD procedure in one year ( with risk of perforation due to location) hemicolectomy, or yearly colonoscopies until it becomes malignant.

This is my understanding. Still processing the info.

That's a lot to process. I'd suggest you get more than one opinion. I don't know if there's a "right" way to go here. At least what you can see is not cancerous at this point. And you'll be under a watchful eye. Good luck.

Thank you very much. Thinking maybe the specialist endoscopist can serve as my second opinion.

Yes, that's a good start. Don't be freaked out if there's a suggestion to talk to a colorectal surgeon in consultation with an oncologist with specialty in colon cancer. You need to be confident in your surveillance plan going forward. You seem like you're on the right track. All the best to you.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate this. I was shocked initially about possibility of a hemicolectomy. I hoped they could just cut out the small affected section. They explained if surgery is done due to concern of potential cancer, all the associated lymph nodes need to be removed and that whole section of colon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate this. I was shocked initially about possibility of a hemicolectomy. I hoped they could just cut out the small affected section. They explained if surgery is done due to concern of potential cancer, all the associated lymph nodes need to be removed and that whole section of colon.

This "potential" cancer would be why I'd seek out an oncologist with a colon cancer specialty. I'd be looking for recommendations about getting the full surgery now "just in case" or opt "wait and see" approach for regular screening and surveillance.

[Anonymous]

OP this is a lot to process and you should definitely get a second opinion. It also depends on the type of polyp and size but a reminder that these are slow growing so there isn't a rush to make any sort of deicison quickly.

For me I am a polyp producer with family history so closely monitored. I had a small polyp removed (of many) during a regular colonoscopy. It was so small my doctor didn't note the exact location and it came back high-grade dysplasia. I did a repeat colonoscopy a few weeks later then one 6 mo after that and have been on yearly ones for the last 5 years. My doc takes a good long look around. I have had more polyps but nothing concerning after that one. I did get a second opinion which was reassuring and didn't change the treatment plan.

[Anonymous]

15:50 and 16:11: thank you both very much. Will definitely get second opinion before proceeding.
16:11: if I don't get surgery they mentioned I’d also be on a yearly colonoscopy schedule. That seems reasonable.