anal cancer

nigella · June 2009

Hi everyone!
I have been very recently diagnosed with anal cancer and will start treatment on July 6, 2009, with radiation and chemotherapy, mitomycin and 5FU. Treatment was postponed because major drug suppliers have been out of mitomycin! I have annual checkups and colonoscopy Feb 2007 because of family history but cancer was missed until I complained of sore hemorrohoids in May 2009. Thank you for sharing your stories about what I am facing even though some of the side effects sound scary. How many of you lost your hair? Any words of encouragement or helpful hints would be appreciated. Thank you!

KC_survivor · July 2009

treatment
I am 39 years old finished up my 6 weeks of treatment May 8th . I saw my OBGYN in November, noticed a lump in Jan, Saw my family DR. who thought it was just a cyst. I am a nurse so am not so easily appeased. He sent me to the surgeon of my choice who also thought it was a cyst, CT scan did not show anything. He said he would remove the cyst if it was bothering me, granted I had no symptoms, but is was bothering me knowing it was there. When he went to remove it, he suspected it was a tumor, so did not cut it, he "teased" it out and sent it for biopsy. stage 1-2, without any mets. Thank you God! They told me the same thing about not being able to find the Mitomycin, therefore they would use 5FU and Cisplatin, less than a week before treatment began they found it. Keep praying. I was very blessed. I did not loose any hair... on my head, did not really have any nausea. lost only 4 pounds total, and only missed 2 full days of work, Salt, pop, chocolate, and white bread tasted awful.go figure the things I shouldnt have anyway.. I actually feel guilty when I hear what others have gone thru. Radiation was done with IMRT which gives different doses of radiation to different areas at the same time, causing less damage to surrounding tissue. almost 2 months have gone by and am dealing with joint aches and weakness/shortness of breath when going up steps. All labs have come back pretty normal. Best of luck to you, Prayers, positive attitude and humor got me thru.

radarbaby · July 2009

Nigella
I just posted about my 5 year survival experience, so check that and other posts here for some info. Remember that everyone's body is different, so everyone's experience is a little different. I would recommend that you stick close to home as much as possible while going through the chemo/rad treatment periods and if you can have help for the last round of chemo is best. These combo treatment periods leave you particularly vulnerable to infection. I wasn't working during the treatment, but everyone is different. I went out once in a while, but not a lot and if anyone even suspected they might be coming down with something I stayed clear. I think I may have been on oral antibiotics too at one point. I was allergic to something with the picc line. As I mention in my post, frequent tub soaks with Aveno really help with the skin peeling and pain. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds and to take them if you need them. Just remember that they may cause some constipation, though not always. Don't ignore anything. Contact your doctors with any problems so they can get right on it. Do you have anyone to help you? Don't be afraid to enlist friends if you need to. They can clean your house or run errands if you are unable to. Put people to work (within reason of course) and they feel they are really helping you. But don't lay it all on the same person, spread the tasks out so that no one person will be overburdened. This won't be easy. Just remember that YOU are your priority right now. And keep your sense of humor whenever possible. Anything that makes you laugh is a good thing right now. Remember that this is only temporary. You will feel better over time. Good luck!

nigella · July 2009

KC_survivor said:
treatment
I am 39 years old finished up my 6 weeks of treatment May 8th . I saw my OBGYN in November, noticed a lump in Jan, Saw my family DR. who thought it was just a cyst. I am a nurse so am not so easily appeased. He sent me to the surgeon of my choice who also thought it was a cyst, CT scan did not show anything. He said he would remove the cyst if it was bothering me, granted I had no symptoms, but is was bothering me knowing it was there. When he went to remove it, he suspected it was a tumor, so did not cut it, he "teased" it out and sent it for biopsy. stage 1-2, without any mets. Thank you God! They told me the same thing about not being able to find the Mitomycin, therefore they would use 5FU and Cisplatin, less than a week before treatment began they found it. Keep praying. I was very blessed. I did not loose any hair... on my head, did not really have any nausea. lost only 4 pounds total, and only missed 2 full days of work, Salt, pop, chocolate, and white bread tasted awful.go figure the things I shouldnt have anyway.. I actually feel guilty when I hear what others have gone thru. Radiation was done with IMRT which gives different doses of radiation to different areas at the same time, causing less damage to surrounding tissue. almost 2 months have gone by and am dealing with joint aches and weakness/shortness of breath when going up steps. All labs have come back pretty normal. Best of luck to you, Prayers, positive attitude and humor got me thru.

anal cancer
Thank you so much KC_survivor! The "prayers, positive attitude and humor" are thoughts to hold tightly. I had to quit work because my boss felt my job was too physically demanding with the picc line in. I appreciate your information and best wishes!

nigella · July 2009

radarbaby said:
Nigella
I just posted about my 5 year survival experience, so check that and other posts here for some info. Remember that everyone's body is different, so everyone's experience is a little different. I would recommend that you stick close to home as much as possible while going through the chemo/rad treatment periods and if you can have help for the last round of chemo is best. These combo treatment periods leave you particularly vulnerable to infection. I wasn't working during the treatment, but everyone is different. I went out once in a while, but not a lot and if anyone even suspected they might be coming down with something I stayed clear. I think I may have been on oral antibiotics too at one point. I was allergic to something with the picc line. As I mention in my post, frequent tub soaks with Aveno really help with the skin peeling and pain. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds and to take them if you need them. Just remember that they may cause some constipation, though not always. Don't ignore anything. Contact your doctors with any problems so they can get right on it. Do you have anyone to help you? Don't be afraid to enlist friends if you need to. They can clean your house or run errands if you are unable to. Put people to work (within reason of course) and they feel they are really helping you. But don't lay it all on the same person, spread the tasks out so that no one person will be overburdened. This won't be easy. Just remember that YOU are your priority right now. And keep your sense of humor whenever possible. Anything that makes you laugh is a good thing right now. Remember that this is only temporary. You will feel better over time. Good luck!

Thank you so much for all your wonderful suggestions! I have many people praying for me. As someone once said, "This too shall pass." Thank you again for your thoughtfulness!

z · July 2009

anal cancer
I was diagnosed with anal cancer Stage II NO,MO 3 to 4 cm. I completed treatment on 6-30. Standard Mito,5FU and IMRT. I did lose hair from Mito, but I have plenty left and my hair looks good. Mine was perianal invasive to the anal verge. My oncologist, radiologist, and general surgeon all reasurred me the cancer would melt away. I had a pet, pap, mamogram, and all came back normal. The pet of course showed the anal cancer. I have HPV and will find out this upcoming Monday what type it is. There are over 100 types, 30 of which are high risk for cervical and anal cancer. The immune system will destroy most of the HPV types. I used bag balm for the radiation burns. Bag balm is used on cow utters. Very soothing, my radiologist gave it to me. I didn't have to use pain pills until my 25th IMRT treatment. I had 30. I only have to take 1 pain pill every 6 hours, but could take up to 12 a day. My radiologist said I should be healed within 3 weeks. The chemo was tolerable, and I didn't take the nausea pills until my second cycle, and only took about 1 a day. I will keep you posted, and I have added you as a friend. I will not know if the treatment worked for several months.

z · July 2009

z said:
anal cancer
I was diagnosed with anal cancer Stage II NO,MO 3 to 4 cm. I completed treatment on 6-30. Standard Mito,5FU and IMRT. I did lose hair from Mito, but I have plenty left and my hair looks good. Mine was perianal invasive to the anal verge. My oncologist, radiologist, and general surgeon all reasurred me the cancer would melt away. I had a pet, pap, mamogram, and all came back normal. The pet of course showed the anal cancer. I have HPV and will find out this upcoming Monday what type it is. There are over 100 types, 30 of which are high risk for cervical and anal cancer. The immune system will destroy most of the HPV types. I used bag balm for the radiation burns. Bag balm is used on cow utters. Very soothing, my radiologist gave it to me. I didn't have to use pain pills until my 25th IMRT treatment. I had 30. I only have to take 1 pain pill every 6 hours, but could take up to 12 a day. My radiologist said I should be healed within 3 weeks. The chemo was tolerable, and I didn't take the nausea pills until my second cycle, and only took about 1 a day. I will keep you posted, and I have added you as a friend. I will not know if the treatment worked for several months.