Is it a protocol that surgery goes first before radiation in treating cancers?

Having cervical cancer does not lead to the development of colon cancer and if she really is in the very unusual situation of having stage 4 colon cancer it has nothing at all to do with her cervical cancer.

You do not mention what stage her cervical cancer was at diagnosis, but surgery is not done when it has spread to the pelvic side wall.

Cervical cancer IS NOT common.

EDIT: It is possible to have 2 cancers at once, but when cancer is diagnosed tests are done to stage it and stage 4 colon cancer would have been found immediately.

It is most likely cervical cancer that spread to her colon rather than the other way around.

Surgery is done to remove tumors from the colon because if you don’t you run the risk of perforation which can lead to septic shock and death.

EDIT: The best information you are going to get is from the treating physicians and that is really who you should talk to. I have to guess at everything here.

Once cervical cancer hits a stage 2B it is impossible to get clear surgical margins. The only shot at cure is small and it is grueling. She will need external and internal maximum dose radiation in addition to chemo with radiation sensitizers. On rare occasions this has been known to cure up to stage 4A cervical cancers without surgery, but I have got to tell you surgery is a walk in the park compared to this.

You should also know stage 4 cancer is not considered curable so the above treatment is a long shot and the only shot. Treatment generally is to prolong life, so in that respect it is treatable. People can survive 10 years with some stage 4 cancers, but colon and cervical cancers are not among them. I am sorry.

Stage 4 colon cancer has a median survival of 2.5 years. Stage 4 cervical is much less.

I don’t mean to be blunt, but I’m not sure if you understand all of this. I know it is a lot to take in when a family member has cancer, but I think you need to know all of this as you all have a long road ahead of you. Best wishes.

When it comes to what to do first about the Cancer, it all comes down to what the patient wants to do after hearing her options/risks of the procedures. The doctors she/he speaks with also explain to the pt what is possible. Sometimes it is too risky or would not be affective if the pt has surgery. In situations like this, trust in the patients Dr.'s. I know that sometimes it seems as if they "went about it all wrong" but they know what they are doing. The Dr.'s intrest is the patients well being. I am sorry to hear that this particular patient is doing poorly, but I have faith the Dr.'s made the right decision. especially seeing how it is a common cancer. God bless you both and good luck ( :