Rectal cancer question

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Alan E. Seelbach - 05 Jan 2006 21:48 GMT

Hi, my name is Alan.

I have been diagnosed with T3 rectal cancer.

Just completed (two weeks ago) five weeks of chemo and radiation in prep for
surgery scheduled for 3 weeks from now.

During the 3d week of chemo/radiation treatment I developed a severe case of
diarrhea. I still have a severe case of diarrhea and the treatments stopped
two weeks ago. I saw my surgeon yesterday to schedule pet scan and E.U.S.
and told him of my condition, and he didn't seem to think it was any big
deal. The question is, have any of you had experience with chemo/radiation
and is this diarrhea normal at this point and if so, when can I expect it to
go away?

TIA,
Alan

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Steph - 05 Jan 2006 23:20 GMT

> Hi, my name is Alan.
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> TIA,
> Alan

Yes, it's normal
Yes, it will go away

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matt weber - 06 Jan 2006 02:10 GMT

>Hi, my name is Alan.
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>TIA,
>Alan

It is a common result of chemo and/or radio therapy. Both treatments
damage cells, the more rapidly the cells divide, the more they tend to
be damaged. The lining of the intestine turns over every a few days,
so it is one of the first treatment associated toxicities usually
seen. It generally improves over time, but how long it takes depends
upon how much damage was done by the treatment.

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J - 06 Jan 2006 09:49 GMT

> Hi, my name is Alan.
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> and is this diarrhea normal at this point and if so, when can I expect it to
> go away?

Hello and welcome Alan.
I see that Steph and matt answered your question.

Do let us know how things go with the surgery.
Best wishes,
J

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