Should my Grandma have chemo treatments before a reverse colostomy or have the reverse done first?

Question

My Grandma had a cancerous tumor removed from her colon back on June 29, 07 and needed 3 months with a temp colostomy bag to heal properly. The doctors gave her some chemo options for treatment. She is debating on which she should do first....Should she have the chemo first before her reverse colostomy surgery? Or should she have the colostomy surgery first and then have chemo treatments once she has healed? I am just wondering if anyone has experienced this situation.....any advice would be appreciated. Thank you for your time, Jennifer

Answer 1

She should follow the recommendations of her oncologist.

Different cancers react differently.

My cancer required surgery, followed by Chemo & radiation.
One sister had surgery followed by chemo for hers.
Another had surgery followed by radiation for hers.
Brother had chemo and radiation whithout the need for surgery.

Answer 2

Many times the doctors want to do chemo before surgery in an attempt to reduce the size of the cancer. Chemo after surgery would be to attempt to treat or kill any surviving cancer cells. I have never heard of a doctor giving a patient a choice, except they will explain the options and give recommendations.

Answer 3

I had surgery first and radiation afterwards, but it was uterine cancer. Of course, the best recommendation will come from your oncologist.