Anal Wart Cauterization

mp327

Hi Everyone--

I saw my colorectal doc on September 2nd. for my 3-month follow-up with DRE and anoscopy. I have the ongoing radiation proctitis, which she says is causing my bleeding with hard BM's. What I wasn't expecting was the discovery of 3 very small anal warts. These are clustered together and are not at the original tumor site. My doctor told me these are HPV warts and that they could become cancerous if left untreated. Therefore, I am scheduled to have a surgical procedure called Fulguration of Anal Condyloma on September 16th. Essentially, this is cauterization of the warts. I will be under general anesthesia and the procedure is to take about 30 minutes. There is no prep required, other than nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Needless to say, I am not looking forward to this, but am anxious to get it done and over with. I will meet with my doctor the day before in her office to go over the procedure and ask any questions I might have. She has assured me that these warts are not cancer, but she told me they need to be treated so that they don't become cancer.

Has anyone else undergone this procedure, either before or after treatment for anal cancer?

Thank you for any insight you can give me about this procedure.

sandra malone

my experience....condoloma
I have experienced removal of warts THAT WERE NEAR the tumor site. It is not determined if they were the cause of my C. or not but I researched them and YES they can become a catalyst for C.I had my PCP do an anal exam last week as I thought they were returning. Praise GOD they were not . What I was seeing was some flesh colored skin that had grown inside my anis as a result of my surgery.Have them reoved ASAP

z

sandra malone said:

my experience....condoloma
I have experienced removal of warts THAT WERE NEAR the tumor site. It is not determined if they were the cause of my C. or not but I researched them and YES they can become a catalyst for C.I had my PCP do an anal exam last week as I thought they were returning. Praise GOD they were not . What I was seeing was some flesh colored skin that had grown inside my anis as a result of my surgery.Have them reoved ASAP

Martha
Hi Martha,

I know when my general surgeon did the biopsy and colonoscopy he said he didn't see any warts. He said that ususally thats how HPV initially will present it self. Now since your dr is on top of things and can remove them before any problems arise, thats the main thing. I don't know about the procedure your having, but it sounds like they remove them like you would any wart and I believe that would be freezing them off and getting the root out. Now since they were discovered on examination which you have had many of, they must be rather small. I will have you in my thoughts and prayers that the healing won't be that painful. I know when I had a biopsy done on a suspicious nodule it was not painful, nor the recovering from it. Lori

ranelle65

warts or polyps
I am curious if your "warts" were present in the area of the urethra and vagina. As you know Martha, my pcp dr said my "spots" look like polyps in those areas aforementioned. I have had cryo-surgery for abnormal cells in my vagina and cervical areas. I know I should not worry, but this new discovery is causing me to be very concerned that cancer is trying to show its ugly face again. Has anyone else with anal cancer caused by HPV ever had the brief thought that this cancer was a punishment for things we did in our younger days? Or is that just me with stinking thinking??

Martha, I hope your procedure is quick and painless, and removes all possiblities of this coming back as cancer. Here's a for you...and I'll send prayers your direction.

ranelle65

ranelle65 said:

warts or polyps
I am curious if your "warts" were present in the area of the urethra and vagina. As you know Martha, my pcp dr said my "spots" look like polyps in those areas aforementioned. I have had cryo-surgery for abnormal cells in my vagina and cervical areas. I know I should not worry, but this new discovery is causing me to be very concerned that cancer is trying to show its ugly face again. Has anyone else with anal cancer caused by HPV ever had the brief thought that this cancer was a punishment for things we did in our younger days? Or is that just me with stinking thinking??

Martha, I hope your procedure is quick and painless, and removes all possiblities of this coming back as cancer. Here's a for you...and I'll send prayers your direction.

hug
My last sentence was supposed to say Here's a hug for you...so, here's your hug.

sissy310

Hi Martha - I do not have
Hi Martha - I do not have anything like this yet, still too much of a newbee...but I wanted to come in here and give you a virtual hug and let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Mariyne

pjjenkins

warts
Hi, Martha,

I have not had any warts since my cancer treatment more than two years ago. The treatment did, however, get rid of a wart I had between my anus and vagina- closer to my vagina - ever since the early 80s. At that time my ob-gyn asked if I wanted to do something about it but told me it was of no medical consequence- purely cosmetic. I said no because it was not bothering either me or John. Knowing what I know now, I would immediately get it removed!

May your Monday experience be very minimally disturbing -
Thoughts and prayers!

Priscilla

pjjenkins

ranelle65 said:

warts or polyps
I am curious if your "warts" were present in the area of the urethra and vagina. As you know Martha, my pcp dr said my "spots" look like polyps in those areas aforementioned. I have had cryo-surgery for abnormal cells in my vagina and cervical areas. I know I should not worry, but this new discovery is causing me to be very concerned that cancer is trying to show its ugly face again. Has anyone else with anal cancer caused by HPV ever had the brief thought that this cancer was a punishment for things we did in our younger days? Or is that just me with stinking thinking??

Martha, I hope your procedure is quick and painless, and removes all possiblities of this coming back as cancer. Here's a for you...and I'll send prayers your direction.

Warts - HPV -
Well, yes - I have thought about "punishment" but don't really think about it like that. I DO, however, think there is a very good chance my near-vagina wart was very likely due to the bit of sexual freedom I felt coming of age in the NEW age of contraceptives. I had more than one partner in my 20's before I became monogamous and am sure this wart was from one of those partners. I don't want to get into religion but I don't believe God is punishing me though it is a consequence of my behavior.

Priscilla

mp327

pjjenkins said:

warts
Hi, Martha,

I have not had any warts since my cancer treatment more than two years ago. The treatment did, however, get rid of a wart I had between my anus and vagina- closer to my vagina - ever since the early 80s. At that time my ob-gyn asked if I wanted to do something about it but told me it was of no medical consequence- purely cosmetic. I said no because it was not bothering either me or John. Knowing what I know now, I would immediately get it removed!

May your Monday experience be very minimally disturbing -
Thoughts and prayers!

Priscilla

Thanks Everyone!
I appreciate everyone's input on this. I am fortunate in that my doctor does seem to be familiar with anal warts vs cancer and hopefully, she knows the difference in their appearance. I know they are HPV as she has said. Ever since my journey with HPV-related cancer, I have not dwelled on how I got this virus. Obviously, some of us may have done things differently many years ago, had we known what we would be in for down the road. I choose not to look back, only forward, and try to keep my body as healthy as possible to keep this virus in check. Since I am now experiencing these troublesome warts, I am realistic and know that there is only so much any of can do. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, and use alcohol with a certain amount of caution. I do all those things, but yet I obviously still have HPV. The good news is, my doctor is very optimistic and thinks we'll get rid of these things. Thank you again for all your responses.

nellie67

mp327 said:

Thanks Everyone!
I appreciate everyone's input on this. I am fortunate in that my doctor does seem to be familiar with anal warts vs cancer and hopefully, she knows the difference in their appearance. I know they are HPV as she has said. Ever since my journey with HPV-related cancer, I have not dwelled on how I got this virus. Obviously, some of us may have done things differently many years ago, had we known what we would be in for down the road. I choose not to look back, only forward, and try to keep my body as healthy as possible to keep this virus in check. Since I am now experiencing these troublesome warts, I am realistic and know that there is only so much any of can do. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, and use alcohol with a certain amount of caution. I do all those things, but yet I obviously still have HPV. The good news is, my doctor is very optimistic and thinks we'll get rid of these things. Thank you again for all your responses.

Thankyou too
When I was a kid I had warts on my hand, had them removed with a cauterizing technique. The worst part for me was I was awake and was watching them do it, big mistake. If they are putting you to sleep you should be fine. I dont really remember if I had a lot of discomfort after it was done, but Im sure your doc will give you some pain meds if you do.
I hope everything goes well and you are back in no time. I dont know you that well but you were the first person to respond to me when I joined this board and I wish you well and many thanks. See you soon.
nell

lemonade

mp327 said:

Thanks Everyone!
I appreciate everyone's input on this. I am fortunate in that my doctor does seem to be familiar with anal warts vs cancer and hopefully, she knows the difference in their appearance. I know they are HPV as she has said. Ever since my journey with HPV-related cancer, I have not dwelled on how I got this virus. Obviously, some of us may have done things differently many years ago, had we known what we would be in for down the road. I choose not to look back, only forward, and try to keep my body as healthy as possible to keep this virus in check. Since I am now experiencing these troublesome warts, I am realistic and know that there is only so much any of can do. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, and use alcohol with a certain amount of caution. I do all those things, but yet I obviously still have HPV. The good news is, my doctor is very optimistic and thinks we'll get rid of these things. Thank you again for all your responses.

HPV
I asked my oncologist if I had HPV and he said that he didn't know for sure, but probably so. I haven't had a pap test indicate HPV. I wanted them to test the tumor they removed, because I really wanted to know for sure. The tumor was too old/damaged/wasn't stored properly to test. So, I have just decided to forget about how I got it. I'm certainly not going to beat myself up for having had a sex life. I don't have one now, so I'm glad I had one then.

The ACS website said HPV can cause anal cancer, but that is not the only way to get anal cancer. I smoked for years, so I don't know.

How do you get tested for HPV? I just went to my gynecologist about 2 weeks ago and completely forgot to ask him.

Barbara

mp327

lemonade said:

HPV
I asked my oncologist if I had HPV and he said that he didn't know for sure, but probably so. I haven't had a pap test indicate HPV. I wanted them to test the tumor they removed, because I really wanted to know for sure. The tumor was too old/damaged/wasn't stored properly to test. So, I have just decided to forget about how I got it. I'm certainly not going to beat myself up for having had a sex life. I don't have one now, so I'm glad I had one then.

The ACS website said HPV can cause anal cancer, but that is not the only way to get anal cancer. I smoked for years, so I don't know.

How do you get tested for HPV? I just went to my gynecologist about 2 weeks ago and completely forgot to ask him.

Barbara

Lemonade
Your doctor can test you for cervical HPV at the same time the pap smear is taken. If they are not doing this routinely, you need to ask for this. If they can't or won't do it, I would find another doc.

ranelle65

pjjenkins said:

Warts - HPV -
Well, yes - I have thought about "punishment" but don't really think about it like that. I DO, however, think there is a very good chance my near-vagina wart was very likely due to the bit of sexual freedom I felt coming of age in the NEW age of contraceptives. I had more than one partner in my 20's before I became monogamous and am sure this wart was from one of those partners. I don't want to get into religion but I don't believe God is punishing me though it is a consequence of my behavior.

Priscilla

in no way
I did not mean for what I said to come out the way it did. I know God would not punish me, but rather my body for doing the things I did to it. I too, had more than one partner in my teens before getting married at 21 and two separations. I understand the "punishment" is a consequence of my actions and never blamed God for it. In my line of work, I tell my client offenders that it's their own decisions that get them into trouble, and I believe that in myself also. I pray that you continue to get well/stay well and CANCER FREE.

Ranelle

ranelle65

mp327 said:

Thanks Everyone!
I appreciate everyone's input on this. I am fortunate in that my doctor does seem to be familiar with anal warts vs cancer and hopefully, she knows the difference in their appearance. I know they are HPV as she has said. Ever since my journey with HPV-related cancer, I have not dwelled on how I got this virus. Obviously, some of us may have done things differently many years ago, had we known what we would be in for down the road. I choose not to look back, only forward, and try to keep my body as healthy as possible to keep this virus in check. Since I am now experiencing these troublesome warts, I am realistic and know that there is only so much any of can do. Eat right, exercise, don't smoke, and use alcohol with a certain amount of caution. I do all those things, but yet I obviously still have HPV. The good news is, my doctor is very optimistic and thinks we'll get rid of these things. Thank you again for all your responses.

optimistic
Martha,

I agree that we all might have done things differently, had we known then what we know now. Hindsight is always 20-20. However, we have what we have and we deal with it when the symptoms present themselves. And, sometimes when we're still new in this realism, some like myself, have a sense of guilt for our past. I am over that now; I really think I was just having a pity party day because of some other things going on in my life right now, outside the cancer trail. I am so thankful for this support network, and people like you, who share your story so people like myself don't feel like we're out here all alone. Bless you, Martha, for being the strength that you are. And I'll be thinking about and praying for you when you see your dr again this coming week. My PET scan is at 730am Monday and my gyn exam is the same day at 315pm. If/when I find out what's going on with me and these polyps, I'll let you and everyone here know. Keep fighting the good fight.

ranelle65

mp327 said:

Lemonade
Your doctor can test you for cervical HPV at the same time the pap smear is taken. If they are not doing this routinely, you need to ask for this. If they can't or won't do it, I would find another doc.

test for HPV
That's a great idea MP...I will have to do my best to remember that when I go to the gyn dr this coming Monday.

mp327

ranelle65 said:

optimistic
Martha,

I agree that we all might have done things differently, had we known then what we know now. Hindsight is always 20-20. However, we have what we have and we deal with it when the symptoms present themselves. And, sometimes when we're still new in this realism, some like myself, have a sense of guilt for our past. I am over that now; I really think I was just having a pity party day because of some other things going on in my life right now, outside the cancer trail. I am so thankful for this support network, and people like you, who share your story so people like myself don't feel like we're out here all alone. Bless you, Martha, for being the strength that you are. And I'll be thinking about and praying for you when you see your dr again this coming week. My PET scan is at 730am Monday and my gyn exam is the same day at 315pm. If/when I find out what's going on with me and these polyps, I'll let you and everyone here know. Keep fighting the good fight.

Hi Ranelle
I want to wish you the best on your appts on Monday. May your PET scan come back with good results and may there be answers to all of your questions about the polyps. I hope they can be easily taken care of. Please keep us posted.

Thank you for your kind words. Take care.

Martha

sandra malone

mp327 said:

Lemonade
Your doctor can test you for cervical HPV at the same time the pap smear is taken. If they are not doing this routinely, you need to ask for this. If they can't or won't do it, I would find another doc.

lemonade
Sorry I got triple posted yesterday. I just had a pap smear and it was NORMAL! My onc, was the one who tested me for HPV, said I did not have it. So again I do not know how I got the warts as they are a symptom of HPV. the radiation and chemo killed what was not removed surgically. I was totally sedated for mine. ,so you may be too. either way as i have already said remove them ASAP. GOD SPEED my friend, sandra

sandra malone

ranelle65 said:

optimistic
Martha,

I agree that we all might have done things differently, had we known then what we know now. Hindsight is always 20-20. However, we have what we have and we deal with it when the symptoms present themselves. And, sometimes when we're still new in this realism, some like myself, have a sense of guilt for our past. I am over that now; I really think I was just having a pity party day because of some other things going on in my life right now, outside the cancer trail. I am so thankful for this support network, and people like you, who share your story so people like myself don't feel like we're out here all alone. Bless you, Martha, for being the strength that you are. And I'll be thinking about and praying for you when you see your dr again this coming week. My PET scan is at 730am Monday and my gyn exam is the same day at 315pm. If/when I find out what's going on with me and these polyps, I'll let you and everyone here know. Keep fighting the good fight.

ranelle65
I do not know you yet, but being in somwhat the same position , I thought it okay to post a comment? Hold on to what you know is right and good as you walk through the next few tests and as others have said there are many on our journey. You strike me as a fighter, so keep doing what you;re doing. GOD SPEED ON YOUR PATHH ,,,Sandra

ranelle65

sandra malone said:

ranelle65
I do not know you yet, but being in somwhat the same position , I thought it okay to post a comment? Hold on to what you know is right and good as you walk through the next few tests and as others have said there are many on our journey. You strike me as a fighter, so keep doing what you;re doing. GOD SPEED ON YOUR PATHH ,,,Sandra

S Malone
Thank you Sandra and Martha for your kind words...I was a little upset by one post in this thread, but I might just be over-sensitive to the subject of not being monogamous (saving myself for my husband). I will keep my chin up and be hopeful and positive no matter what the diagnosis is...if it's cancer again, let's get rolling on the treatments...if it's not and it's just a simple infection and just normal spots (polyps) then that's great. I'm trying to prepare myself for either outcome and not have a panic attack like I did when I was first diagnosed.

nonichol

ranelle65 said:

S Malone
Thank you Sandra and Martha for your kind words...I was a little upset by one post in this thread, but I might just be over-sensitive to the subject of not being monogamous (saving myself for my husband). I will keep my chin up and be hopeful and positive no matter what the diagnosis is...if it's cancer again, let's get rolling on the treatments...if it's not and it's just a simple infection and just normal spots (polyps) then that's great. I'm trying to prepare myself for either outcome and not have a panic attack like I did when I was first diagnosed.

upset
Ranelle,
You must be referring to my post. My post just means a virgin could sleep with one person and contract HPV. I certainly have no info regarding your marriage. My post did not refer to monogamy. I was speaking the possibility of a virgin contracting it with their first partner.

I just do not believe it is a punishment for my sin. To each his own.

I did not intend to ofend. Please excuse me if I did.

Sincerely,
Norma

ranelle65

nonichol said:

upset
Ranelle,
You must be referring to my post. My post just means a virgin could sleep with one person and contract HPV. I certainly have no info regarding your marriage. My post did not refer to monogamy. I was speaking the possibility of a virgin contracting it with their first partner.

I just do not believe it is a punishment for my sin. To each his own.

I did not intend to ofend. Please excuse me if I did.

Sincerely,
Norma

forgiveness
Norma,

I actually was referring to your post, but I have been a litte more sensitive to things lately for some reason. After re-reading your post and then this one (upset), I see what you were referring to. With all the strains of HPV, it amazes me how many of us have anal cancer, despite the rarity of it. What's the odds, something like 1 in 50,000 that contract anal cancer. Ok, so of the 1 in 50k, how many were told that's how they got cancer as a result of HPV but never had a test done for proof?

This entire ride has been confusing to me, but I'm dealing with it, just as are the rest of you. My apologies for to you for being over-sensitive to something we all share.

Ranelle