ANAL CANCER

jill3333
jill3333 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH ANAL CANCER.
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON THEIR TREATMENT, SUCCESS OR FAILURE, DOCTOR WANTS ME ON CHEMO AND RADIATION 1ST WEEK, THEN 5 WEEKS STRAIGHT RADIATION, LAST WEEK CHEMO
AND RADIATION.
THANK YOU, FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME

Comments

  • maureenmm
    maureenmm Member Posts: 1
    Why do you call it anal cancer? Isn't colon cancer? Both my parents have had colon cancer...Mom has never had it reoccur, no colostomy, no chemo/radiation, and is healthy with no reoccurance. (It's been several years that she has been fine) Dad had colon cancer and it was found in the lymph nodes. He under went 8 sessions of chemo and it reoccured two years later. Now he is at stage four, under gone 8 more sessions of chemo, and now is being recommeded for radiation. As I say to my Dad, "I can't put myself in your shoes" and can only be here for support.
    Chemo the first time for him was great and no side effects. They tried a new type on him for the reoccurance and he experienced nausea and who know what will happen with the radiation. He starts this week...

    Tell me about your cancer and it's stage...
  • nawambe
    nawambe Member Posts: 6
    Hi jill3333!
    My heart goes out to you! I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in Dec, 2000. I completed seven weeks of radiation and my first round of chemotherapy in April, 2001. My rectal cancer is very close to my anus, so I am inoperable. The radiation was like surgery without a knife. It killed the center of my tumor which is about 3" by 4" located in my rectum area. I was also doing 5FU chemotherapy at the same time. Both treatments were successful in stopping the spread and development of any new tumor growth. I thank God that my cancer is localized. It has not spread to my lymph nodes or any vital organs - liver, kidney or bladder. I have a colostomy which is permanent since the entire tumor cannot be removed surgically.
    Check out the www.colorectal-cancer.net/newlydiagnosed website. It has more specific CRC, colorectal info on rectal and anal cancer. They have a new Anal Cancer Chat on Tuesdays and Thursdays at www.quickchat.org or www.colorectal-cancer.net/chat.

    I just started a new chemotherapy drug (Xeloda aka, also known as, Capecitabine. It's a tablet that I take twice a day and it seems to be working! My tumor marker tests (CEA and CA 19-9) have gone way, way, down!!!

    Don't panic! I know it's an emotional roller coaster ride but CRC is one of the most treatable forms of cancer when diagnosed early. For meditation, check out www.colorectal-cancer.net/meditation. Good luck and God Bless you. Eleanor
  • wiley_eb
    wiley_eb Member Posts: 4
    Jill -
    I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in April '99. My first treatment was the same as yours - six weeks of radiation w/chemo (5-FU) first and last week. (Mine was continuous infusion through a porta-cath and portable pump.) That is the "textbook" treatment. If you want additional info. you can contact me at wiley_e@firn.edu. Stay positive, be happy, don't lose your sense of humor.

    Bud Wiley