u/Indatti

I was recently diagnosed with Stage IIIA rectal cancer. My MRI showed 3 suspicious lymph nodes (about 3mm each) near the original tumor site, but my CT scan did not show any invasive spread elsewhere. The original tumor was about 15mm, and part of it was already removed during colonoscopy. The tumor is located about 10cm from the anal verge.

I’m trying to understand my treatment options and was wondering if anyone here has experience managing this type of diagnosis with chemotherapy and radiation alone, without surgery. I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences or outcomes.

I’ve also read some difficult post-surgery stories, especially regarding bowel control issues lasting many months or even close to a year. Is that something many people truly experience, or are those cases less common than they appear online?

For those who did undergo surgery, I would be grateful if you could share any practical tips for managing bowel function afterward, especially during travel or daily life. How do you prepare for worst-case scenarios? Do people typically carry extra supplies when traveling?

I apologize if these questions sound naive. I’m feeling very anxious and overwhelmed right now, and hearing from others who have gone through this would mean a lot.

Thank you so much for any advice or encouragement.

I just had my first colonoscopy. I am 58M. They removed 4 polyps, 3 of them 3mm, seems like no problem for these. The report reads “The other one is sessile 15MM polyp with stigmata of recent bleeding found in the rectum, a piece-meal polypectomy was performed. The polyp was partially removed. Initial impression was a large sessile polyp. But after hot snare polypectomy the polyp appears infiltrative and would be amenable to TAMIS. Await biopsies then refer for surgery.” I am very scared.

I just had my first colonoscopy. I am 58M. They removed 4 polyps, 3 of them 3mm, seems like no problem for these. The report reads “The other one is sessile 15MM polyp with stigmata of recent bleeding found in the rectum, a piece-meal polype to my was performed. The polyp was partially removed. Initial impression was a large sessile polyp. But after hot snare polypectomy the polyp appears infiltrative and would be amenable to TAMIS. Await biopsies then refer for surgery.”	  

I am very scared. Anyone had this situation?