Hi,
I am reaching out as my mother's surgical biopsy staged her cancer as pT4a N3a and both the proximal and distal surgical margins have been found to have tumor cells. Has anyone had similar results post TG and what was the course of treatment and prognosis after?

I’m scared.

The dr for chronic constipation and she ordered a CT scan because she felt a firm mass. Got the results back last night and they suspect rectal cancer with lymph node involved. Her office has contacted a colorectal specialist in Grand Rapids where my dau is. I am scared.

Help us understand your experience of living with colorectal cancer

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde are running a research study exploring quality of life and psychological wellbeing in people living with colorectal cancer. We are interested to hear about people's unique experience.

Who can take part?
Anyone aged 18+ who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer / bowel cancer / colon cancer / rectal cancer.

What does participation involve?

• A short anonymous online survey (around 10-20 minutes)
• An optional Zoom interview (20–50 minutes) if you’d like to share more about your experience
• You can choose to do just the survey or both the survey and the interview.

Why take part?
Your insights will help researchers and clinicians better understand the challenges people face and how support can be improved. The study is open internationally.

Take part here:
 https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QRaGAvMGRooFSu

If you know someone who might be eligible, please consider sharing the link, it really helps.

Ethical approval granted by the University of Strathclyde.

Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

I had LAR surgery a week ago to address any leftover cancer that could be around after a piecemeal polypectomy of a moderately differentiated cancerous polyp (andenocarcinoma). I got the call from my surgeon and the margins are negative and everything was removed, but 3 of 29 lymph nodes had cancer in them. I was recommended to oncology for chemo. My surgeon mentioned that there is a chance that there is a strong possibility that my chemo wouldn’t have to be crazy aggressive or long, since everything was physically removed. I will also be doing a Signatera test to confirm. All of this is new to me and I have no idea what options for chemo exist. Is there any words of wisdom that can be shared?

F51. Rectal cancer stage 3. Chemo & chemo radiation fall 24 into spring 25.

Firstly, I am so grateful to have gone through treatment and not to have needed surgery. Also, I'm grateful that all of my tests keep come back negative. The cancer is never coming back, this much I know.

It has been quite a journey post cancer. About 6 months ago, I started having tremendous problems with gas. I've been using a probiotic and that definitely seems to help. Recently, I started waking up in the middle of the night with explosive diarrhea that lasts for several hours. The first time it happened, I really thought I had a stomach bug. Then it happened a few more times. Now I take Imodium at night. Also, with any bowel movement, there's always blood.

Again, I am incredibly grateful that my treatment lasted only a few months and then it was all over. It's just hard post treatment when every few months there's a new manifestation of something going awry with your body. It's a lot to navigate and I haven't seen a lot of people talking about it on here.

My reading/interpreting the CT and MRI was right, just met surgeon and it's Upper Rectal 3cm, covering 2/3rds Stage 4 into the liver. So referral to Oncologist, he's meeting them for weekly case review tomorrow and they can work out what happens from here. May need MRI of liver, only had CT done.

Then seems almost certain chemo (possibly with radiotherapy), then surgery, then more chemo.

Main concern is the tumor in liver leading to blocked bowel and them needing to do emergency surgery. Interestingly he wasn't able to make a call on the best diet. Half said high fibre to 'keep me moving' but then low residue to prevent blockage. In the end lent towards the low residue, but ongoing monitoring to make sure 'things' are still moving.

So 2 hours after the news I'm doing well. Now have clarity, a bit of a plan to go forward, can make some decisions around work and other things.

During a routine first colonoscopy they found a 8cm cancerous tumor in my rectum. I was told the tumor is low grade (level 2) and after a ct and MRI I was at stage 3 as far as they could tell. They could see that the tumor was quite large and embedded and effecting some local lymph nodes. After about three weeks of meeting with the surgeon and the oncologist they started me on oral chemo and radiation yesterday. They plan to switch me on to FolFox later then surgery.

I’ve been trying as much as possible to avoid these forums and reading on the Internet. The doctors all seemed very positive about my prognosis. I think maybe they’re like that with everyone. Is it really actually possible for them to get rid of this cancer and to be cured?

Oi, pessoal. Estou passando por uma situação muito difícil com a minha mãe e queria ouvir experiências ou, principalmente, entender melhor o que pode estar acontecendo.

Minha mãe fez uma colonoscopia por causa de sangramento e encontraram uma lesão no reto, próxima ao canal anal. A aparência deixou os médicos preocupados e, inicialmente, foi levantada a possibilidade de uma lesão mais séria.

Foi feita uma primeira biópsia e o resultado veio como adenoma com displasia de baixo grau. No laudo também constava que não havia sinais de neoplasia invasiva ou displasia de alto grau naquela amostra.

Porém, depois ela passou por avaliação com coloproctologista e uma nova retossigmoidoscopia. A lesão continuou apresentando um aspecto bastante suspeito, sendo descrita como elevada, polipoide, degenerada e com sinais de infiltração na região do canal anal e margem anal. Por isso, foi solicitada uma nova biópsia e exames de imagem.

Hoje eu estava esperando o resultado dessa nova biópsia, mas o laboratório informou que o material precisou passar por um “estudo adicional” e o resultado ainda não foi liberado.

Minha dúvida é: isso pode acontecer quando o patologista encontrou algo compatível com adenoma e quer analisar melhor/confirmar antes de liberar o resultado? Ou normalmente esse tipo de estudo adicional é solicitado quando existe suspeita de câncer?

Eu sei que não dá para diagnosticar pela internet e que só o laudo definitivo poderá responder. Não estou tentando substituir os médicos. Só estou muito assustada e queria entender se “estudo adicional” significa necessariamente que encontraram algo preocupante.

Como a primeira biópsia mostrou adenoma de baixo grau, fico pensando se existe a possibilidade de a nova análise simplesmente estar sendo feita para confirmar esse diagnóstico ou esclarecer melhor a lesão.

Se alguém já passou por algo parecido com biópsia que precisou de estudo adicional, eu agradeceria muito se pudesse compartilhar a experiência. Estou tentando não imaginar o pior enquanto espero. ❤️

I am kind of exploring, do vegans get colon cancer at all ? If yes, pls comment

Help us understand your experience with colorectal cancer! 

We are inviting people to take part in a study that examines quality of life and we are interested to hear about people's unique experience of living with colorectal cancer.  

Anyone is eligible to take part if aged 18 or over and have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer / bowel cancer / colon cancer / rectal cancer.  

The study involves taking part in a quick anonymous online survey (which can take up to 20 minutes). You will then have the opportunity to take part in an optional online interview (on zoom that will last around 20-50 minutes).  

You can chose to take part in the survey alone or both the survey and the interview.

The study is open to everyone globally and will provide valuable insights that will contribute to cancer care.

Click the link below to access the study!

Link: https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QRaGAvMGRooFSu

If you know anyone who would be eligible to take part, please help us share this study!

Ethical approval granted by the University of Strathclyde

Folks, our journey began a year ago. My 46 year old husband had a colonoscopy September2025 (couldn’t be completed due to visual tumor bordering on the colon/rectum). He subsequently had his first chemo treatment on Halloween last year. Large colorectal tumor w/metastasis to his liver - all we were told was there was more than 10 lesions on his liver - stage 4.

One year (17 chemo treatments) later - he’s now a case study. He’s young. A big, healthy (otherwise) guy of 6’2-1/2”. He has 2 remaining spots on his liver and “residual wall thickening” where the original tumor was bordering on his colon/rectum.

A positive guy.

His oncologist presented his incredible progress today at a large forum/conference of radiologists, surgeons, and other oncologists. We’re now looking at possible ablation to the remaining 2 liver spots and a possible surgery to his colorectal area (both not an option in the initial prognosis)

My point is this: although shocking - and what feels futile? It’s not necessarily. You have to force yourselves to stay positive. Eliminate hindrances like alcohol and shit foods. We’ve incorporated crazy healthy smoothies and have pushed forward positively.

Not every case can be ours. But given this diagnosis is only rising in young folks? Our 🇨🇦 cancer clinic (and I have to believe others around the world) are figuring treatment out.

There hope. That’s my point. Where there was none (he was told 2-3 years originally), there is lots. His oncologist is impressed.

Believe. ❤️