Results from anal biopsy

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rds711 said:

Had second opinion today
I went to Dr Gorgun at Cleveland Clinic today, took my path slides and report with me.
Very nice guy. He told me that though the path report stated squamous in situ that it also states possible focal invasive. He performed an anoscope and rebiopsied the mass. During the exam he found a second mass and biopsied that one also. He told me that he will have path results in 1 week and if I have not heard from him by next Friday to call him. I am to return to Cleveland on Monday for abdomen/pelvic CT scans without contrast then also with contrast and a chest xray. He told me if the second lesion is also squamous that he will want me to meet with an Oncologist there. He did say that it is possible to have squamous in one site and adeno in another and if the new mass is adeno it does not respond to the chemo radiation protocol typically used for anal cancer and thus could involve radical surgery. He did say that neither lesion seemed in advanced stages but we would need to wait for the scans and path reports.

I feel good about this Doc, as does my partner. He was more than willing to take time to show me on diagrams where the masses were and answer our questions and give me the next steps I need to take to aid in getting the diagnosis and treatment I need.

Of course the overwhelming fear, anxiety and tears hit again as we were starting the 3 1/2 hour drive home but this time I know there is a plan so I was able to pull it together fairly quickly.

I have such a great support system of family and friends who I know are here for me and more importantly I truly feel God has had a hand in the series of events leading up to this point, things have fallen into place... going to doctor for mass that turns out to be thrombosed internal hemorrhoid but enabled her to feel original lesion, finding all of you and your wisdom and advice, getting appt at Cleveland clinic in 3 days for second opinion. For someone who had little if any spirituality until the loss of my mom 4 yrs ago from cancer, I am learning that things happen not coincidentally but because there is a plan for each if us. In my prayers for me I have only asked for strength to get through and for comfort for my family. I can tell you I feel the strength and I am grateful. I also know I am only human and expect that I have will have trying horrible days, but I have faith he will walk with me me through it.

I want you all to know that because you vocalized on this board your concerns and advice for me, I feel I am on the right path to getting the treatment and care I need. How can I express gratitude for that??? I can only say thank you and that just seems so small!!!

.

Randy

Randy
This is very fast and I'm so glad of the quick second opinion. Whatever it is it has been found at the earliest stage which is the good thing and most issues that are caught early are curable. Please keep us posted and I wish you well. Lori

mxperry220

rds711 said:

Had second opinion today
I went to Dr Gorgun at Cleveland Clinic today, took my path slides and report with me.
Very nice guy. He told me that though the path report stated squamous in situ that it also states possible focal invasive. He performed an anoscope and rebiopsied the mass. During the exam he found a second mass and biopsied that one also. He told me that he will have path results in 1 week and if I have not heard from him by next Friday to call him. I am to return to Cleveland on Monday for abdomen/pelvic CT scans without contrast then also with contrast and a chest xray. He told me if the second lesion is also squamous that he will want me to meet with an Oncologist there. He did say that it is possible to have squamous in one site and adeno in another and if the new mass is adeno it does not respond to the chemo radiation protocol typically used for anal cancer and thus could involve radical surgery. He did say that neither lesion seemed in advanced stages but we would need to wait for the scans and path reports.

I feel good about this Doc, as does my partner. He was more than willing to take time to show me on diagrams where the masses were and answer our questions and give me the next steps I need to take to aid in getting the diagnosis and treatment I need.

Of course the overwhelming fear, anxiety and tears hit again as we were starting the 3 1/2 hour drive home but this time I know there is a plan so I was able to pull it together fairly quickly.

I have such a great support system of family and friends who I know are here for me and more importantly I truly feel God has had a hand in the series of events leading up to this point, things have fallen into place... going to doctor for mass that turns out to be thrombosed internal hemorrhoid but enabled her to feel original lesion, finding all of you and your wisdom and advice, getting appt at Cleveland clinic in 3 days for second opinion. For someone who had little if any spirituality until the loss of my mom 4 yrs ago from cancer, I am learning that things happen not coincidentally but because there is a plan for each if us. In my prayers for me I have only asked for strength to get through and for comfort for my family. I can tell you I feel the strength and I am grateful. I also know I am only human and expect that I have will have trying horrible days, but I have faith he will walk with me me through it.

I want you all to know that because you vocalized on this board your concerns and advice for me, I feel I am on the right path to getting the treatment and care I need. How can I express gratitude for that??? I can only say thank you and that just seems so small!!!

.

Randy

Thank God For Getting a Second Opinion
Randy,
If you have not done so you might want to compile a list of questions for your doctor. I did this and it helped tremendously. I wrote down his answers as I asked each question. I did a little research on anal cancer before meeting with chemo and radiation doctors. I then compiled a list of questions. I felt much better after asking my questions and getting the responses from my doctors.

Below are a list of questions I had.

What type of cancer do I have?

Is this considered a type of anal cancer or rectal cancer?

Is this a common type cancer?

How much of tumor did colon rectal surgeon remove?

How much of tumor remains?

Will treatments begin after tumor removal heals?

How many radiation treatments will I need?

How much chemo will I need?

What will be frequency of treatments?

How long can I expect treatments to last?

What is prognosis of my cancer condition?

Is this a common type cancer?

What stage is my cancer?

How many cases like mine have you treated?

Will treatments be painful?

Will I have pain medication to control pain?

Should I expect hair loss?

What are next steps?

Will I need assisted transportation?

If so, do you have list of transportation providers?

Hope this helps.
Mike

rds711

Thanks!
Thanks for your replies and well wishes. I find it amazing how a group of people I have never met in person have been able to give me me such support and awesome advice. I feel very connected and when it seems youre in the middle of chaos that is a major thing.

Mike, thanks for the list of questions I copied them into word and will take back with me on my next visit. I always have all these things in my head when I go to an appointment but seem to get in my car after feeling like I found out very little of what I wanted/needed to know, being a nurse it is very disconcerting. Thanks.

ALL of you make a difference. I have read so many your posts and I hear how hard it can be sometimes for you to relive your own personal pains and struggles in order to reach out to assist those of us who are at different places in this journey. You have compassion, wisdom and strength in degrees I can only strive to reach. NONE of you HAVE to do this, but someway, somehow you keep coming back here and giving and giving and giving. Please, please know it's appreciated! I am in awe.

One day I hope I will be able to impact someone as each have you have impacted me.

Randy

RoseC

rds711 said:

Thanks!
Thanks for your replies and well wishes. I find it amazing how a group of people I have never met in person have been able to give me me such support and awesome advice. I feel very connected and when it seems youre in the middle of chaos that is a major thing.

Mike, thanks for the list of questions I copied them into word and will take back with me on my next visit. I always have all these things in my head when I go to an appointment but seem to get in my car after feeling like I found out very little of what I wanted/needed to know, being a nurse it is very disconcerting. Thanks.

ALL of you make a difference. I have read so many your posts and I hear how hard it can be sometimes for you to relive your own personal pains and struggles in order to reach out to assist those of us who are at different places in this journey. You have compassion, wisdom and strength in degrees I can only strive to reach. NONE of you HAVE to do this, but someway, somehow you keep coming back here and giving and giving and giving. Please, please know it's appreciated! I am in awe.

One day I hope I will be able to impact someone as each have you have impacted me.

Randy

Hi Randy
Another country spoken from here (well, not really, I'm from Massachusetts - but you know what I mean). Just wanted to say I hope all goes well for you. I think it's wonderful that you've been able to find answers from the great people on this forum. The people here are so caring and knowledgable, and are ready to help however they can in an instant.

Wanted to let you know that although there can be many side effects from the treatment, that's not always the case. Many folks come out of it with minor, minor side effects. I consider myself very lucky to be in this group. My heart aches for those still suffering, but I wanted to let you know, and hope that your results are the same, that three years after treatment I'm pretty much back to my regular self - with a few improvements, mostly including a closer relationship with my wonderful husband, family, and God.

My best wishes to you!

sandysp

rds711 said:

Had second opinion today
I went to Dr Gorgun at Cleveland Clinic today, took my path slides and report with me.
Very nice guy. He told me that though the path report stated squamous in situ that it also states possible focal invasive. He performed an anoscope and rebiopsied the mass. During the exam he found a second mass and biopsied that one also. He told me that he will have path results in 1 week and if I have not heard from him by next Friday to call him. I am to return to Cleveland on Monday for abdomen/pelvic CT scans without contrast then also with contrast and a chest xray. He told me if the second lesion is also squamous that he will want me to meet with an Oncologist there. He did say that it is possible to have squamous in one site and adeno in another and if the new mass is adeno it does not respond to the chemo radiation protocol typically used for anal cancer and thus could involve radical surgery. He did say that neither lesion seemed in advanced stages but we would need to wait for the scans and path reports.

I feel good about this Doc, as does my partner. He was more than willing to take time to show me on diagrams where the masses were and answer our questions and give me the next steps I need to take to aid in getting the diagnosis and treatment I need.

Of course the overwhelming fear, anxiety and tears hit again as we were starting the 3 1/2 hour drive home but this time I know there is a plan so I was able to pull it together fairly quickly.

I have such a great support system of family and friends who I know are here for me and more importantly I truly feel God has had a hand in the series of events leading up to this point, things have fallen into place... going to doctor for mass that turns out to be thrombosed internal hemorrhoid but enabled her to feel original lesion, finding all of you and your wisdom and advice, getting appt at Cleveland clinic in 3 days for second opinion. For someone who had little if any spirituality until the loss of my mom 4 yrs ago from cancer, I am learning that things happen not coincidentally but because there is a plan for each if us. In my prayers for me I have only asked for strength to get through and for comfort for my family. I can tell you I feel the strength and I am grateful. I also know I am only human and expect that I have will have trying horrible days, but I have faith he will walk with me me through it.

I want you all to know that because you vocalized on this board your concerns and advice for me, I feel I am on the right path to getting the treatment and care I need. How can I express gratitude for that??? I can only say thank you and that just seems so small!!!

.

Randy

Following your posts today
Hi,

I'm Sandy and I've been traveling and haven't checked in for a while. I am four months post treatment T2N1 Anal Cancer. I am so happy you checked in with this site and found the right place for your second opinion and likely the place you will need to go for treatment also, if you are diagnosed. I know that sounds overwhelming right now, but things tend to work out. You seem to have a terrific attitude and mental and spiritual focus which will serve you well. I am glad you also appear to have a supportive partner and a dear one (your mom) on the "other side" guiding you. I had two doctors tell me I needed surgery. My husband found out more than they seemed to know with a twenty minute internet search. When we did find people who knew what they were talking about, they all said go to Sloan here in New York even though Columbia is a fabulous teaching hospital and we have many fine hospitals that treat cancer in New York. There is so much trust involved in taking cancer treatment and there is great solace in knowing you are getting the right treatment for your cancer given by skillful, knowledgeable and experienced doctors, nurses and technicians. All the best to you.
Sandy