Hi,
On 11/15/06, I was diagnosed rectal Cancer after a colonoscopy. I am a 39 year old male, in otherwise good health. On 12/1/06, I had a lower anterial rescection (sp?), with a temp diverting illiostomy. The surgeon was confident with removing the entire mass. There was no metastisis, but cancer cells found in two of ten lymph nodes. It was grades as Dukes Stage C.

I started chemo on 1/1/07, Xeloda for two week on cycles, and Oxiliplaten once a week. This will go on for 6 months. I am also going through radiation, I am on treatment 21 of 30. I feel fine, with low occurances of side effects, and I am back to light workouts, and have returned to work.

My Question. After radiation, my med. oncologist wants to start Avastin. Cost is not a concern as it is covered by my insurance. Is this drug worthwhile? All my research indicates it is for people with metastised tumors. My main concern is the low occurance of GI problems with avastin. I don't want any problems getting this illiostomy reversed.

My med. Onc. indicated that without adjudant therapy my chance of recurrance was 50/50. With radiation and chemo, less than 20%. Will the Avastin make a difference?

TIA
Dave in NJ
Bassithound