Aldara ???

qv62
qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member

Has anyone had an experience or heard of experiences of using Aldara internally as a topical treatment for anal lesions ?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    qv62

    I know nothing about the effectiveness of this on anal lesions.  However, I will tell you what my experience was with anal condyloma (warts).  Two years after my chemo/radiation, my colorectal doctor found 3 very small internal anal condyloma during an anoscope exam.  She immediately scheduled me for surgical removal (anal fulguration).  The lesions have remained gone since then, which was 2 1/2 years ago.  She suggested to me that surgery was the only effective way to get rid of them and never mentioned using any type of creams, such as Aldera.  There is another cream that starts with the letter "I" that I cannot remember the name of, but I knew someone who was being treated for anal lesions with it.  However, I don't believe it was successful and that person was still having surgery to remove anal lesions on a frequent basis.  If I can find the name of the stuff, I will post.  However, I think the bottom line is this--no cream is really going to be effective, based on what my colorectal doctor told me.   

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    mp327 said:

    qv62

    I know nothing about the effectiveness of this on anal lesions.  However, I will tell you what my experience was with anal condyloma (warts).  Two years after my chemo/radiation, my colorectal doctor found 3 very small internal anal condyloma during an anoscope exam.  She immediately scheduled me for surgical removal (anal fulguration).  The lesions have remained gone since then, which was 2 1/2 years ago.  She suggested to me that surgery was the only effective way to get rid of them and never mentioned using any type of creams, such as Aldera.  There is another cream that starts with the letter "I" that I cannot remember the name of, but I knew someone who was being treated for anal lesions with it.  However, I don't believe it was successful and that person was still having surgery to remove anal lesions on a frequent basis.  If I can find the name of the stuff, I will post.  However, I think the bottom line is this--no cream is really going to be effective, based on what my colorectal doctor told me.   

    Imiquimod

    Imiquimod is the name of the cream, but I am led to believe that this is just another name for Aldera.  Like I said above, the person I knew who was being treated with this did not see success with it.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    mp327 said:

    Imiquimod

    Imiquimod is the name of the cream, but I am led to believe that this is just another name for Aldera.  Like I said above, the person I knew who was being treated with this did not see success with it.

    one in the same

    Yes Mp327 they are one in the same, my oncologist seems to think that it could possibly destroy something before it develops since I keep having growths removed in the O R it may prolong the next surgery, I have also been told it should boost your immune system to fight the cancer cells. I am meeting with another radiological oncologist this Fri, if they rule out radiation my doctor wants me to try this for 6 weeks. I was hoping someone on the board might have given this a spin, Since it is not fda approved internally I have some reservations

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    qv62 said:

    one in the same

    Yes Mp327 they are one in the same, my oncologist seems to think that it could possibly destroy something before it develops since I keep having growths removed in the O R it may prolong the next surgery, I have also been told it should boost your immune system to fight the cancer cells. I am meeting with another radiological oncologist this Fri, if they rule out radiation my doctor wants me to try this for 6 weeks. I was hoping someone on the board might have given this a spin, Since it is not fda approved internally I have some reservations

    qv62

    Please let us know what you find out on Friday.  I am very interested in what the rad onc has to say.

  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    did not work

    i was given this to apply to lesion on my ear..... lesion came back....then we froze it....i can not see how it would even stick to the lesions on the inside of the anus .... yes, it is supposed to stop something from becoming cancer but perhaps this is a new trial thing.....  let us know......   sephie

  • NYinTX
    NYinTX Member Posts: 64
    qv62 said:

    one in the same

    Yes Mp327 they are one in the same, my oncologist seems to think that it could possibly destroy something before it develops since I keep having growths removed in the O R it may prolong the next surgery, I have also been told it should boost your immune system to fight the cancer cells. I am meeting with another radiological oncologist this Fri, if they rule out radiation my doctor wants me to try this for 6 weeks. I was hoping someone on the board might have given this a spin, Since it is not fda approved internally I have some reservations

    doctors qv62

    I don't get it.....why are you still with these doctors?? and if you are in metro NY area, why not go to Sloan Kettering? Have you googled your doctors' publications in pubmed to check what they actually know about anal cancer? where did they go to school? residency? hosp admitting privileges? they sound so off the wall.....and it sounds as if you are prolonging your disease by sticking to these doctors' protocols....I would protect myself.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    NYinTX said:

    doctors qv62

    I don't get it.....why are you still with these doctors?? and if you are in metro NY area, why not go to Sloan Kettering? Have you googled your doctors' publications in pubmed to check what they actually know about anal cancer? where did they go to school? residency? hosp admitting privileges? they sound so off the wall.....and it sounds as if you are prolonging your disease by sticking to these doctors' protocols....I would protect myself.

    no radiation

    to follow up with my visit last week, the radiological oncologist recommended to hold off radiation and try the aldara, I will hopefully sstart that this week and let you know how it goes, @NYinTX I just want you to know I am at MSKCC, I'm confident in their plan and have seen several doctors there

  • NYinTX
    NYinTX Member Posts: 64
    qv62 said:

    no radiation

    to follow up with my visit last week, the radiological oncologist recommended to hold off radiation and try the aldara, I will hopefully sstart that this week and let you know how it goes, @NYinTX I just want you to know I am at MSKCC, I'm confident in their plan and have seen several doctors there

    no sense

    Your treatment history has been brutal and I acannot make any sense of it for anal cancer......maybe somthing other is happening? Sloan Kettering still ranks in the top 5 but I would send my med rec to MDAAnderson radonc Dr. Minsky for evaluation.....costs little

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    NYinTX said:

    no sense

    Your treatment history has been brutal and I acannot make any sense of it for anal cancer......maybe somthing other is happening? Sloan Kettering still ranks in the top 5 but I would send my med rec to MDAAnderson radonc Dr. Minsky for evaluation.....costs little

    NYinTX

    Thanks, I will take this into consideration, I was not aware they would review your records via mail, is this where you were treated ?

  • NYinTX
    NYinTX Member Posts: 64
    qv62 said:

    NYinTX

    Thanks, I will take this into consideration, I was not aware they would review your records via mail, is this where you were treated ?

    opinions

    when one makes an appt at MDA, you have to send them your med rec first, which are then examined by the relevant MDs.....I can give you direct email, and you can ask directly if he would evaluate your case == your treatment protocol sounds so bizarre even if at Sloan Kettering...

    bminsky@mdanderson.org  Bruce Minsky, MD  Professor, Director of Clinical Research, Radiation Oncology, Univ of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center  1515 Holcombe Blvd, B2.4562 Unit 0097, Houston, TX 77030-4009   tel: 713-563-2304