Another checkup

AZANNIE
AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

I had another 6 month check up with colorectal dr today. He did an external exam. He wants to do a EUA and biopsy in one to two months. This took me by surprise, but he said it was procedure. I'm almost 3 years post treatment and scans and labs have been fine. I have labs and see oncologist next month. I haven't had a biopsy post treatment.

Ann

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi Ann--

    Did your doctor just do an external exam?  Whenever I see my colorectal doc, she always does external exam, DRE and anoscope.  Surely if he suspected any problems, he would have told you.  As we know, all doctors have their own protocol for follow-up, so it sounds like this is his.  There seems to be no one protocol that these doctors use, even though there are guidelines, as documented by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  I'm sure nothing of concern will be found and I wish you nothing but good news!

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Hi Ann--

    Did your doctor just do an external exam?  Whenever I see my colorectal doc, she always does external exam, DRE and anoscope.  Surely if he suspected any problems, he would have told you.  As we know, all doctors have their own protocol for follow-up, so it sounds like this is his.  There seems to be no one protocol that these doctors use, even though there are guidelines, as documented by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  I'm sure nothing of concern will be found and I wish you nothing but good news!

    mp327

    Thanks Martha! Just an external exam. He knows that a DRE and anoscope are uncomfortable for me. Guess I should be tougher. I have had a DRE, anoscope and camera in the past. Maybe the entrance keeps shrinking. He also said he would dilate the area. I thought I was getting finished with all this. Procedure will be done at a Surgery Center this time instead of outpatient at the hospital. He did a colonoscopy last June. He didn't suspect anything - just said it was procedure. Now I wonder how the radiated skin will react to biopsy?  At least he's concerned enough to make sure everything is ok.

    Ann

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

    mp327

    Thanks Martha! Just an external exam. He knows that a DRE and anoscope are uncomfortable for me. Guess I should be tougher. I have had a DRE, anoscope and camera in the past. Maybe the entrance keeps shrinking. He also said he would dilate the area. I thought I was getting finished with all this. Procedure will be done at a Surgery Center this time instead of outpatient at the hospital. He did a colonoscopy last June. He didn't suspect anything - just said it was procedure. Now I wonder how the radiated skin will react to biopsy?  At least he's concerned enough to make sure everything is ok.

    Ann

    Ann

    It sounds as if your doctor is just wanting to make sure there are no areas of concern.  I am glad that I always tolerate the DRE and anoscope very well, but I know some people just don't.  I have only had one surgical procedure post-treatment and was extremely concerned about healing difficulties.  However, I'm glad to say that there were no problems at all.  I hope that will be your experience as well.  Please keep us posted.

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #5
    mp327 said:

    Ann

    It sounds as if your doctor is just wanting to make sure there are no areas of concern.  I am glad that I always tolerate the DRE and anoscope very well, but I know some people just don't.  I have only had one surgical procedure post-treatment and was extremely concerned about healing difficulties.  However, I'm glad to say that there were no problems at all.  I hope that will be your experience as well.  Please keep us posted.

    I think you're right

    About the dr making sure there aren't any areas of concern. Maybe your dr has smaller fingers than mine. Lol! Glad you didn't have any problems post treatment with surgical procedure. Since I'm almost 3 years post treatment, I'd think I'm pretty well healed. I should be used to showing my rear end by now.

    Ann

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #6
    AZANNIE said:

    I think you're right

    About the dr making sure there aren't any areas of concern. Maybe your dr has smaller fingers than mine. Lol! Glad you didn't have any problems post treatment with surgical procedure. Since I'm almost 3 years post treatment, I'd think I'm pretty well healed. I should be used to showing my rear end by now.

    Ann

    Go easy on yourself

    Go easy on yourself about how you respond to the tests and treatments they have to do to you. We are all different. 

    Keep us posted on how this all goes. I am sorry you have to have another biopsy. I really don't like the idea of any more poking or prodding going on in any of my orifices anymore! Stay out of my orifices, I say!

    Fondly,

    Sandy

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #7
    sandysp said:

    Go easy on yourself

    Go easy on yourself about how you respond to the tests and treatments they have to do to you. We are all different. 

    Keep us posted on how this all goes. I am sorry you have to have another biopsy. I really don't like the idea of any more poking or prodding going on in any of my orifices anymore! Stay out of my orifices, I say!

    Fondly,

    Sandy

    Thanks Sandy!

    Yes it would be nice if they stayed out of our orifices, but know it's necessary. The biopsy isn't until July, but might have to postpone it until August. It depends on my sister's work schedule. I like the dr. He was the one who found the cancer.

    Ann

  • horsepad
    horsepad Member Posts: 146 Member
    #8
    I had two areas of concern

    I had two areas of concern bioposied and had no problems at all.  Hopefully, you will too!  Every time I have anything out of the norm happen, I get worried.  Just like many who have survived cancer.

  • mxperry220
    mxperry220 Member Posts: 493 Member
    #9
    Better Safe Than Sorry

    I am 5 years 4 months post treatment.  I have my annual checkup with my colorectal surgeon Tuesday May 13.  He will do a DRE and scope.  Even though this is uncomfortable and embarassing it is necessary in order to make certain there is no recurrence.

    Mike

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    mxperry220 said:

    Better Safe Than Sorry

    I am 5 years 4 months post treatment.  I have my annual checkup with my colorectal surgeon Tuesday May 13.  He will do a DRE and scope.  Even though this is uncomfortable and embarassing it is necessary in order to make certain there is no recurrence.

    Mike

    Mike

    Best wishes to you on the May 13th. appointment!  I hope you get all great news!  You are just a little behind me--I am 5 years 8 months post-treatment.  I agree, we do not look forward to these exams, but we need to keep up with them.  Let us know how yours goes.

  • jcruz
    jcruz Member Posts: 379 Member
    #11
    Ann

    I've had 2 exams and biopsies under anesthesia post-treatment (I'm now at 18 months).  I'll see the surgeon again in August and suspect he'll suggest the EUA rather than try the anoscopy in his office.  Last time we talked about it he expressed concern about the pain I would experience.  He had done only an external exam and said we'd talk again about doing it outpatient in the summer (just the exam I think no biopsy).  Sounds like your doctor is being cautious and conservative.  As Martha says each doctor may have his or her proctocol. 

    My best to you,

    Janet

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #12
    jcruz said:

    Ann

    I've had 2 exams and biopsies under anesthesia post-treatment (I'm now at 18 months).  I'll see the surgeon again in August and suspect he'll suggest the EUA rather than try the anoscopy in his office.  Last time we talked about it he expressed concern about the pain I would experience.  He had done only an external exam and said we'd talk again about doing it outpatient in the summer (just the exam I think no biopsy).  Sounds like your doctor is being cautious and conservative.  As Martha says each doctor may have his or her proctocol. 

    My best to you,

    Janet

    jcruz

    It's nice to know I'm not alone concerning EUAs. Guess I was surprised since I'm almost 3 years post treatment. I had a EUA about 2 months after finishing treatment.  Hope your EUA goes well.

    Ann

     

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #13
    horsepad said:

    I had two areas of concern

    I had two areas of concern bioposied and had no problems at all.  Hopefully, you will too!  Every time I have anything out of the norm happen, I get worried.  Just like many who have survived cancer.

    horsepad

    I'm glad you didn't have any problems!  Yes, it seems like we're "on alert" when anything is out of the norm. Just hearing the word biopsy causes anxiety to set in.

    Ann

     

  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #14
    mxperry220 said:

    Better Safe Than Sorry

    I am 5 years 4 months post treatment.  I have my annual checkup with my colorectal surgeon Tuesday May 13.  He will do a DRE and scope.  Even though this is uncomfortable and embarassing it is necessary in order to make certain there is no recurrence.

    Mike

    mxperry220

    Yes, you're right - better safe than sorry.

     

    Ann

     

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