Rectal Cancer. And chemotherapy is done.

The exact staging is done for this cancer based on local MRI rather than a PET CT , from it it’s mostly cT2/3N1bM0 Stage III A/B . The treatment you doctor suggested in the perfect line of management - Radiation with chemotherapy 5 days a week for 5 weeks followed by a gap of about 6 weeks and surgery . Since lower rectum is involved and the cancer is reaching almost just 3.5 cm away from the end of you anus it will be difficult to have a good margin surgery saving her anus . But your surgeon will surely try to do that based on the response to radiation and chemotherapy - if you are having a very good response that is full resolution of disease then surgeon may try for an ultra low anterior resection which can save anus . But no can say that before treatment. Basically radiation and chemotherapy will reduce the disease and help the surgeon achieve a good surgical margin and give patient better quality of life . I would like to see your biopsy report and MRI report ( if not done should be done before starting radiation treatment-) you can consult with the above reports to get any clarification on treatment .