PC and colonoscopy

Generally, no. I've have two colonoscopies since I completed RT and had no problems.

Just make sure the doc knows you've had RT. They need to be a bit careful around the RT areas and will check to make sure everything is fine there.

Andrew

Some cancers are more advanced, and when the surgeon examines the prostate and its surroundings discovers that it has spread into other tissues. ADT and adjuvant RT are used to clean up what could not be removed.

Regarding colonoscopy, I had to postpone a colonoscopy otherwise it would have delayed radiation,and had to wait six months after the end of RT and finally getting the colo.

fiddlecanoe - It looks like you completed RT more than a year ago. Your prior RT should be obvious to the GI doctor in certain sections because of changes in the appearance of the colon that are characteristic for prior radiation therapy/damage (varies person-to-person)...but you should tell him/her first, anyhow. If polyps have to be removed, there there is an increased risk of poor healing and the development of a fistula...but without him/her taking that first post-RT peek inside, this is not a reason to skip the procedure.


mentor5959 - It looks like you might have posted in this thread in error, but I would say you probably misinterpreted any statement from your doctor to the effect of: "...if I had surgery I would not need radiation or ADT." There is absolutely no way to tell that in advance...but all cases have indicators which make recurrence much more or less likely than other cases. This is a great place to use a statistical nomogram (prediction tool) to see what the likelihood of needing any type of secondary treatment after primary prostatectomy. THIS link takes you to the MSKCC post-prostatectomy nomogram site which predicts the probability of remaining cancer recurrence-free at 2-, 5- and 10-years following surgery. If you are not recurrence free after RP, then based on factors like age or other comorbidities, you would likely seek secondary treatment of radiation or ADT. Your futher questions should probably be posted in a separate thread, since they are not related to a post-RP colonoscopy.

Post Edited (Blackjack) : 6/7/2019 7:57:24 AM (GMT-6)

My first colonoscopy, about 20 years ago, had a benign polyp and none where found in the three follow up colonoscopies I had after that. A the last one, the doc said to come back in 10 years and we'll talk if you need another one.

You never know.

Andrew

Like Blackjack said, my doctor said no problem with colonoscopies in future but doctor needs to be made aware of RT so they minimize or avoid any sampling or polyp removal in the radiated area since healing may be compromised and lead to increased possibility of a fistula which is not something anyone would want. A healthy friend of mine had one and the corrective surgery was not easy.

I have had two since my radiation treatment. I told the doctor before hand and each time he said if I had not told him he would have no idea that I was radiated. Thus, there is not always damage or change from the radiation. In each case I have had benign polyps removed. Coupled with a grandfather that died of colon cancer, I am on a short three year leash.

Mentor, and has has been said, no surgeon can conclusively say you are cured and will never need anything else again.....at least not a responsible surgeon, in my opinion. It is easy to say "we got it all" when what really should be said is "we got everything we could see that was within the surgical area".

Best wishes and I hope that you are truly cured, but only time will tell.

fiddlecanoe said...
Does the surgery or radiation cause any complications for a colonoscopy?

edit:
[oops, sorry, didn't read close enough -- cannot say about radiation after surgery -- below only applies to surgery only -- but Cologuard may still be an option for someone in this boat...]

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From my experience, n=1, probably not. My RALP was April 2012. Had my normal 5 yr colonoscopy that November. Just let the colonoscopy doc (a very experienced one) know ahead of time, and reminded him just before going under. No problems. Had another one 2017, no issues.

In case there is any question for anyone, perhaps the non-invasive dna-based Cologuard might be an option to use in the year or so after RALP, to allow good healing. It advertises it catches 92% of colon cancers and 42% precancerous tissues. Covered by Medicare and most insurances. Seems the main problem is if it does find something, you still have to have a physical procedure to handle it. So there's that.

Please enjoy the stuff they give you to drink the night before. The script may give you several flavor options. I always preferred the pineapple flavor, but it is hard to find now (sniff...). I know the flavor is a personal choice and others may prefer some other flavor, and I'm ok with that. Let's not argue.

Robert