Anal abscess and fistula -- what next?

ACW189

For all those of you out there who've had colorectal or anal cancer, I completed my treatment for anal canal cancer in May 09 (surgery/rad/chemo-5FUwithMit). I've overcome fatigue (for the most part) and muscle weakness in my legs (PT helped). Now I've been treated twice for an anal abscess (the surgeon didn't get it all during the first "slice"). I have a wound that doesn't look too nice and after 2 weeks (from second lancing procedure)I am still draining.
He now suspects I might have a fistula and is waiting until the swelling subsides to investigate further. Help? Anyone have surgery for fistulas? I'm terribly afraid of long term affects on the sphincter. Is this the result of surgery or radiation or both? I've been doing a little research but would love to hear your thoughts and experiences (both good and bad...).

Connie Dove

ACW189 REPLY
I know someone that had an anal abscess supposedly lanced back in the 1980's best I can remember. In 2007 it turned out they had colorectal cancer and they have just passed away from their battle in Dec. 2009 after taking radiation and chemo-it had methasized to their liver and then to their bone marrow through the lymph nodes (which carry the cancer to distant sites). Supposedly right before their death an anal abcess (same one?) was opened to drain-not lanced, just drained. (If you Google Mayo Clinic about Anal Abscess it mainly instructs drainage). Anyway, the person I know also had tumors around the anal area. It was a battle for life right until the very end with the person I know. In the 1980's they only had the anal abscess lanced (there was no cancer, radiation or chemo prior to that time). As far as you being concerned about your sphincter, that could possibly only happen if you had surgery; but as I said "Google Mayo Clinic and search on their site for Anal Abscess to see what they say-I intrepreted it to say drainage is the best way to treat it." Perhaps they can test the area for cancer cells or test you blood for CEA count (cancer count) so you can know exactly what is going on.

Connie Dove

Connie Dove said:

ACW189 REPLY
I know someone that had an anal abscess supposedly lanced back in the 1980's best I can remember. In 2007 it turned out they had colorectal cancer and they have just passed away from their battle in Dec. 2009 after taking radiation and chemo-it had methasized to their liver and then to their bone marrow through the lymph nodes (which carry the cancer to distant sites). Supposedly right before their death an anal abcess (same one?) was opened to drain-not lanced, just drained. (If you Google Mayo Clinic about Anal Abscess it mainly instructs drainage). Anyway, the person I know also had tumors around the anal area. It was a battle for life right until the very end with the person I know. In the 1980's they only had the anal abscess lanced (there was no cancer, radiation or chemo prior to that time). As far as you being concerned about your sphincter, that could possibly only happen if you had surgery; but as I said "Google Mayo Clinic and search on their site for Anal Abscess to see what they say-I intrepreted it to say drainage is the best way to treat it." Perhaps they can test the area for cancer cells or test you blood for CEA count (cancer count) so you can know exactly what is going on.

ACW189 REPLY
When I mentioned that the person I know also had tumors around the anal area, that was when the anal abscess was drained and very near the end of their life after the Dr. said there was nothing more he could do. Becuase the cancer had methasized, bone marrow transplant was out of the question (there's alot of after-the-fact consequences that go with that anyway) and the person I knew was extremely weak because the blood counts were low on their white blood cell count, their red blood cell count, their hemoglobin was low and their platelets were low....all this after they had been given blood. Because blood is the source of our life, this person didn't live long.

I hope this all helps you out and helps to give you some direction. God Bless.

Connie Dove

ACW189 REPLY
I guess I'm totally mixed up. I actually didn't find the information I was telling you about at Mayo Clinic site. I actually Googled: Anal Abscess and it pulled several selections and I chose Anal Abscess Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment by www.emedicinehealth.com (just keep clicking next page at bottom of each page of information there is....seems like there were 11 pages).

Again, God Bless You.

Connie Dove

Connie Dove said:

ACW189 REPLY
I guess I'm totally mixed up. I actually didn't find the information I was telling you about at Mayo Clinic site. I actually Googled: Anal Abscess and it pulled several selections and I chose Anal Abscess Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment by www.emedicinehealth.com (just keep clicking next page at bottom of each page of information there is....seems like there were 11 pages).

Again, God Bless You.

ACW189 REPLY
I stated that the person I know didn't have cancer in the 1980's. That's actually not for me to say. I don't know if they had the anal abscess tested or not. It would be very, very wise for you to have your fistula tested for cancer cells and your CEA count (cancer proteins in the blood). As I said, the person I know found out in 2007 they had colorectal cancer and it methasized through the lymph nodes to the liver and I'm sure the liver even allowed for the cancer to spread to the bone marrow as well as the lymph nodes. I know this person put up quite a long and strong battle. Cancer may have taken over their body, but it did not take over their will to live and their spirit.

This is all the advise I have to give you. Once again, God Bless You and I hope things work out.

aykt36

thanks
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