Monday was the most Wiert day of my life. At 08:30 the @hetAVL rang, 3 hours before admittance.
The request was if I wanted to come in early and discuss possibility of postponing surgery.
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The request was if I wanted to come in early and discuss possibility of postponing surgery.
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Very early in the morning the team had discussed the sigmoidoscopy results, as it looked like the tumor kept shrinking, despite 13 weeks after radiation therapy.
There is only a small (~20%) percentage of patients for which this happens.
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There is only a small (~20%) percentage of patients for which this happens.
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When this happens, they then can take part of a "Wait & See" protocol.
The plan for me is to give it some 4-6 more weeks, then perform a new MRI plus sigmoidoscopy. If the tumor is gone or only scar tissue is visible, repeat MRI plus sigmoidoscopy every 3 months for 5 years.
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The plan for me is to give it some 4-6 more weeks, then perform a new MRI plus sigmoidoscopy. If the tumor is gone or only scar tissue is visible, repeat MRI plus sigmoidoscopy every 3 months for 5 years.
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If the tumor grows, then opt for surgery.
In my case, besides the tumor, also one lymph node will be observed, as it initially was larger, but now has shrunk to normal proportions.
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In my case, besides the tumor, also one lymph node will be observed, as it initially was larger, but now has shrunk to normal proportions.
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This means a 180 degree turn in events. I am still a cancer patient. But for the foreseeable future, I won't need a stoma. I might not need one for the rest of my life.
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Note that this a formal approach with about 400 patients in The Netherlands and results equalling or surpassing immediate surgery.
Some background information, most parts in Dutch:
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Some background information, most parts in Dutch:
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- Portuguese, as Angelita Habr-Gama in 1991 was the first to try this approach in Brazil, calling it "Watch and Wait" pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelita_…
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- Angelita Habr-Gama "How to avoid surgery in rectal cancer" presentation
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- Internationally renowned surgeon Angelita Habr-Gama, MD, PhD, named 2014 ASTRO Honorary Member astro.org/News-and-Publi…
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- prof. Geerard Beets en patiënt Harrie Keusters: "Publiekslezing 'Wait & See' endeldarmkanker AVL 21 maart 2018"
@harriekeusters
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@harriekeusters
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- 2013 patient Harrie Keusters linkt naar "Wait and See bij endeldarmkanker" kanker.nl/ervaringen-van…
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- Professor Geerard Beets introducing himself in Dutch
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- Patient Harrie Keusters schreef boek "Nooduitgang" over deze benadering harriekeusters.nl/endeldarmkanke…
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