You have been provided with this information because you have a bowel cancer, and your medical team are recommending treatment with both surgery and chemotherapy.
Why have I been provided with this information?
Your medical team are concerned that there is a risk that the cancer may block your bowel. They are recommending placement of a colonic stent in your large bowel before you receive a short course of chemotherapy ahead of your planned surgery.
In addition to this information sheet, you will be provided with a patient information sheet on colonic stents. You should read that carefully, particularly the section on risks of colonic stenting. When you are seen in the oncology clinic you will be given a patient information sheet on chemotherapy.
Why is a colonic stent and chemotherapy being recommended for me?
Following research conducted in the UK your medical team have recommended you have a short course of chemotherapy before your surgery. The research found the following outcomes which are important to you:
- A short course of chemotherapy given before surgery rather than waiting until after surgery reduces the risk of cancer recurrence.
- The time taken to give chemotherapy does not increase the risk of your medical team not being able to perform surgery to remove your cancer.
- Receiving chemotherapy before surgery is considered safe and does not increase the number of patients who have complications from surgery.
A stent will enable safer delivery of chemotherapy ahead of surgery because:
Your medical team are concerned that the cancer in your bowel could block your bowel during chemotherapy treatment if a stent is not inserted. The risk of this could be as high as 1 in 3. Should this occur, you may need emergency treatment and not be able to complete your chemotherapy. A planned stent will reduce the risk of that occurring though there are some risks of stent insertion outlined in the colon stent patient information sheet that you should read alongside this. If you have any concerns about this you should discuss this with the medical and nursing team caring for you.
Back to topWhat are the alternatives?
- Going straight to surgery: Your medical team is concerned that this approach would leave you at higher risk of cancer recurrence in the future. Data from the FOxTROT trial suggests that this approach will result in a cancer recurrence occurring in an extra 7 of every 100 patients.
- Proceeding with chemotherapy before surgery without a colonic stent: Your treating team is concerned that this approach would leave you at higher risk of the tumour blocking your bowel during the time you are receiving chemotherapy. In this situation you may need emergency treatment and you may not be able to receive all your chemotherapy.
