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cancer question : pre Oncologist
My fiancés story Hi all. This is my first post here. I am very upset and anxious about what happened with my fiance. After a few months of IBS symptoms, he developed a very large hemoriod from straining. After going to a useless Family Practice Dr. for relief from the hem., I got him to go see a GI surgeon to remove this…
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New diagnosis looking for cancer center
Hello, I'm new to this board, though not new to cancer. I have NHL Lymphoma - doing well. what I have learned - and just told my friend - was find the best place to start with diagnosis and treatment. They thought it was a hemmoroid. Turned out to be cancer. They found a ring of cancer around the anus. They will do CT…
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HRA today, fingers crossed
Hi all, I'm feeling very nervous! Even though all my exams and scans so far have been clear, it's still nerve wracking, as you all know. So, I'm asking for your thoughts and prayers to support me through the next few hours. Thank you! !!! Jane
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Stage 4 anal cancer
Is there anyone else out there with Stage 4 anal cancer - mine spread to liver, did 6 months of chemo, and then 5 weeks of radiation along with oral chemo. I am wondereing what happened next - are you clean or has it reoccurred
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Boxers
I made the boxers in my photo. They have little hearts on them. I think I am past the "What do people think?" stage and onto "What am I going to do about all these side effects??" I have the usual symptoms, nothing I did not expect, though my hair is falling out at a rapid rate and I thought it would just "thin." Guess…
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How to Drive/Ride in Car with Radiation Burns?
Trying to troubleshoot some problems in advance. Would it be excruciating to sit in a car seat as driver or passenger for a 2-hour ride twice a week while undergoing chemo-radiation treatment for this cancer? Is there any way to make sitting for that length of time more bearable? Some special gel cushion or maybe a super…
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Visiting the dentist
How much information about cancer treatment do you have to give your dentist/hygienist? I suppose I have to tell them I had chemo because of the mouth sores. But more details?? I hope not! what have your experiences been going to the dentist or other non-cancer medical folks like eye doctors, physical therapists (not for…
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Radical APR surgery Abdominalperineal Resection
I keep reading the many blogs and topics and I continually see reference to surgeries performed but I am specifically wanting to hear from people that have undergone the radical APR surgery. When I was first diagnosed in Aug. 2017 with this SCC Anal cancer the doctor that had performed the colonoscopy said "There's only…
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Scar tissue?
So I am three months out from my radiation treatment. After the first digit test he felt a little residual abnormality same area but much decreased in height. Second digit test it went down even more but not where he wanted it to be yet. Today I had the three month test and it is not bigger but not smaller. He did not seem…
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Large Biopsy and still in pain
So I had my biopsy 3 months after treatment. The surgeon actually took a huge piece 2 cm X 0.5 cm X .3 cm. Results showed only scar tissue thank God. I am posting to see if anyone else had a large piece cut out for their biopsy. It's almost two weeks later and I still have a lot of pain during my bowel movements. The odd…
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Just Diagnosed and Trying To Decide Whether To Do the Treatment.
Hi Everybody, I gratefully found this board this morning and have been pouring through the posts. I'm a 55 year old woman with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal. A month ago, I had 3 lesions removed, all with HPV features. (I'm still suffering the aftermath of that one!) I wouldn't recommend it to my worst…
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Mucous
My 7 yr follow up is this month and i expect all to be good. But do any of the long time survivors on here still have regular anal discharge?
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constipation after polyp removal
(As stated I'm having quite a lot of constiation after the removal of a polyp on the anal/rectal verge 4 weeks ago. I'm eating really well - fruit / veg etc. but don't seem to be getting moving at all. I always feel like I need to go or ( pardon me) there's more to do. Anyone got any other suggestions? Is this normal after…
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Treatment ended - Now what?
I am curious about people's stories regarding follow-up news after treatment ended. Wondering about timelines, what type of testing was done, and information about results. I feel like I'm floating in limbo a bit. Any stories would be appreciated!
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treatment ended
Treatment ended 5 weeks ago. I've been laying low and resting alot and taking care of my bum. Treatment left me so exhausted but I feel better (slowly by surely) every week. I poop about 3-4 times a day or more almost every other day and they are small bowel movements. However, in the last few days I've been having larger…
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How to Handle This
Advice, please, on how to handle getting through the radiation treatments. I am in week three of daily radiation, however, I am not handling the radiation appointments well. I feel like I am going to the gallows every day while everyone at the treatment center is all, How are you? Did you have a good weekend? Are you doing…
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Stage 4 anal cancer
I was diagnosed in June of 2017, did 12 fulfox treatments with my last one being January 3rd. I started radiation on Feb 8 and today was my 13th treatment, i am battling the painful anus area, i put on ointment that they recommended it helps but not totally, i do the sitz bathes they help while doing it. Just wondering if…
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NCCN Guidelines--2018 updates
There have been some updates to the NCCN Guidelines for anal cancer. 2018 Chemo infusions are now 4 DAYS Instead of 5 days (first and last week) Mitromycin and capecetabine(Xeloda) is also a choice (although this is not new) Fewer scans for surveillance NCCN Guidelines are free, but you have to register...nccn.org
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Why can't doctors stage my cancer?
Most people on this forum, when describing their diagnosis, also are able to include stage. I was not given this information. I asked my biopsy surgeon repeatedly. And even though he had the MRI report (which I now have too), he kept saying not possible to stage it. I don’t understand this. Maybe the Chemo Oncologist and…
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Fecal incontinence
I just wanted to share with everyone out there suffering from fecal incontinence a few things... First and foremost ... if your doctor has not provided you with prescriptions for Lomotil and Immodium and Flexaril ... keep them in mind and have them on hand for when you need them. I had to ask my doctor for them when the…
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Radiation Burns and Raw Skin
First, thank you to everyone who has posted questions and answers on this discussion board. I don't know anyone else who has anal cancer -- didn't even know it was a "thing," until I was diagnosed last February (2017). My 6 weeks of radiation/2 weeks of chemo started at the end of February and ended the first of April. I…
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Biopsy Pain
Hey guys, So i had my Biopsy Tuesday and the pain is nt bad until I have a bowel movement; Then it REALLY hurts. How long before this goes away? Thanks Joe
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Waiting
So I had my biopsy today. There is still some hard tissue mass under the scar tissue. Won't know what it is until biopsy results. Has anyone else experienced this?
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DREs
I am newly diagnosed. My initial DRE and anoscopy was performed in the ER and was excruciating. I have a pretty high tolerance to pain so excruciating is accurate. My biopsies were done under general anesthesia. The tumor is 5.5cm. I had my radiology consult and simulation yesterday along with another DRE. Has anyone…
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Freaking out
So I met with my doctor for a DRE 3 month out. He still felt some residual stuff present same as in the two month exam. He had me meet with the surgical oncologist so she could do a biopsy scheduled for next Tuesday. She said it could be scar tissie but she has seen cases where there was suspicious areas that came back…
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Slight pain present
Hey guys, So I am five weeks out from radiation and still feel a slight discomfort minimal pain about level 1.5 at the place the tumor was and where the radiation was focused. Is this because the radiation is still active? Also does anyone have any details on how it is still active since there is no radiation source…
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help new patient Squamous cell carcinom
Hi, My father is diagnosed with Squamous cell carcinom, Anal Canal, Stage 2. I have been searching and reading since last few days. There are so many things going on and I am just lost and not sure what I should be doing. He doesn't live in USA and going through the treatment outside. Two surgeons have suggested APR.…
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Is a bioposy at 6 weeks normal?
I haven't checked in since treatment got tough! I guess I was hoping for a break, but of course I'm still worrying. I'm now 5 1/2 weeks out. I went to the doctor Monday and she did a rectal exam, then scheduled me next week for a bioposy. I asked if things were progressing normally as I still have pain with bm's and stools…
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Anal cancer reoccurence
I am looking for someone like me. I have been diagnosed with reoccurent squamous cell cancer of the anus. Three years ago I had radiation and 5FU and mitomycin chemotherapy. Now that it has reoccurred, I have been told I need an APR with flap reconstruction due to radiation damage. I’m looking for someone out there who…
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86 year old father finished last treatment now what to expect?
lHi everyone, These discussion boards have been so helpful in learning about symptoms to expect while my father went through treatment. Thanks for all of this helpful information. He completed his last treatment on Thursday. His last week of chemo was the week before. He's sore, tired and experiencing some nausea - all the…