Just Diagnosed

pamela_preib

mp327 said:

Pam
I can't really answer all of your questions, but I will tell you that from everything I've ever read about carcinoma-in-situ of the anal canal, it it not treated with chemo/radiation. However, if your report says "invasive squamous cell carcinoma," this seems contradictory to me, leaving me somewhat confused. So, I think you have a lot more questions to ask your doctor(s). I know that some people diagnosed with anal cancer have had their tumors excised and clear margins have been achieved (which sounds like MOH's surgery was used to me, but I'm not sure). However, I think most of them go ahead with chemo/rad to make sure any rogue cells are killed off. Anal cancer can be a sneaky beast and every effort should be made to rid a person of all bad cells.

I would say you and your doctors need to nail down whether or not you do have full-blown cancer or carcinoma-in-situ first, as like I said above, the treatment may be different. Also, I would seek a second opinion before getting any surgery to remove the tumor, the issue being whether or not radiation would be advisable afterwards if it found to be necessary. I would definitely ask the doctor who treated you for the melanoma if she's ever treated anyone else for anal cancer with the MOH's procedure and what their outcome was. You don't want to be a guinea pig here. Do your research and see if there is anything on the internet about this from a reputable source, of course. It would seem a good idea to me to have your colorectal doctor or other doctor(s) consult with your doctor who is considering the MOH's procedure. They really all need to be on the same page and in agreement as to the best treatment for you. I wish you all the best and hope you'll keep us posted.

Well, I am just going to
Well, I am just going to wait until tomorrow's appt. A woman could drive herself crazy trying to translate all these medical terms. I will hopefully have a one line, clear and concise, early and treatable diagnosis tomorrow. Thanks again everyone for all of your support. I feel like I'm chasing a ghost right now. I'm off to play with my horse and do a little Christmas shopping to keep my mind off it and stay busy. 10:00am tomorrow can't come soon enough.

pamela_preib

mp327 said:

Pam
I can't really answer all of your questions, but I will tell you that from everything I've ever read about carcinoma-in-situ of the anal canal, it it not treated with chemo/radiation. However, if your report says "invasive squamous cell carcinoma," this seems contradictory to me, leaving me somewhat confused. So, I think you have a lot more questions to ask your doctor(s). I know that some people diagnosed with anal cancer have had their tumors excised and clear margins have been achieved (which sounds like MOH's surgery was used to me, but I'm not sure). However, I think most of them go ahead with chemo/rad to make sure any rogue cells are killed off. Anal cancer can be a sneaky beast and every effort should be made to rid a person of all bad cells.

I would say you and your doctors need to nail down whether or not you do have full-blown cancer or carcinoma-in-situ first, as like I said above, the treatment may be different. Also, I would seek a second opinion before getting any surgery to remove the tumor, the issue being whether or not radiation would be advisable afterwards if it found to be necessary. I would definitely ask the doctor who treated you for the melanoma if she's ever treated anyone else for anal cancer with the MOH's procedure and what their outcome was. You don't want to be a guinea pig here. Do your research and see if there is anything on the internet about this from a reputable source, of course. It would seem a good idea to me to have your colorectal doctor or other doctor(s) consult with your doctor who is considering the MOH's procedure. They really all need to be on the same page and in agreement as to the best treatment for you. I wish you all the best and hope you'll keep us posted.

to mp327
Well I will have a definate answer tomorrow but my report does read "Invasive Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, minute focus invading into dermis at base of biopsy". There is a 2nd bullet point that reads "Focus of in situ squamous dysplasia" which leads me to believe the tumor is cancer and there is dysplasia as well that needs to be treated. Guess I will find out tomorrow for sure. Thank you so some clarity. I'm sure I will be back on the board shortly looking for more guidance.

mp327

pamela_preib said:

to mp327
Well I will have a definate answer tomorrow but my report does read "Invasive Squamous cell carcinoma of the anus, minute focus invading into dermis at base of biopsy". There is a 2nd bullet point that reads "Focus of in situ squamous dysplasia" which leads me to believe the tumor is cancer and there is dysplasia as well that needs to be treated. Guess I will find out tomorrow for sure. Thank you so some clarity. I'm sure I will be back on the board shortly looking for more guidance.

Hi Pam
I am not a doctor, but it sounds to me like you are interpreting the report correctly. It is possible to have both a tumor and dysplasia. I hope you get some concrete answers tomorrow. Good luck!

pamela_preib

mp327 said:

Hi Pam
I am not a doctor, but it sounds to me like you are interpreting the report correctly. It is possible to have both a tumor and dysplasia. I hope you get some concrete answers tomorrow. Good luck!

Diagnosis
Got a clear diagnosis from my colorectal surgeon today. The only thing not in yet is the results from my chest ct scan which he sent me on to after our appt. I am stage 1 which is what I suspected. He referred to it as stage 1 invasive anal cancer. My tumor is about 1 to 1.5 cm and I got to see it's ugly image today. Surgery is not an option because of placement which is in the canal. He set me up with my radiologist for Monday and my oncologist on Wednesday of next week. I feel relieved and scared all at once. Definately going to be a different holiday season for our family. It all feels so real now. I'm a cancer patient! Can someone remind me where the site for needed items for treatment might be? I know I saw it but can't seem to find it now. I was also going to ask if any of you kept your jobs working with the public thru the chemo portion of treatment. I work at a library with my hands all over dirty books and lots of public contact. Thank you and so glad you are all here.

Marynb

pamela_preib said:

Diagnosis
Got a clear diagnosis from my colorectal surgeon today. The only thing not in yet is the results from my chest ct scan which he sent me on to after our appt. I am stage 1 which is what I suspected. He referred to it as stage 1 invasive anal cancer. My tumor is about 1 to 1.5 cm and I got to see it's ugly image today. Surgery is not an option because of placement which is in the canal. He set me up with my radiologist for Monday and my oncologist on Wednesday of next week. I feel relieved and scared all at once. Definately going to be a different holiday season for our family. It all feels so real now. I'm a cancer patient! Can someone remind me where the site for needed items for treatment might be? I know I saw it but can't seem to find it now. I was also going to ask if any of you kept your jobs working with the public thru the chemo portion of treatment. I work at a library with my hands all over dirty books and lots of public contact. Thank you and so glad you are all here.

Pam
I am glad that they found your cancer early. Hopefully, soon this cancer will be history soon. There is a list, but I am not sure where to find it. For now, I would tell you to get a handheld shower, some soft undies that you can cut, some soft sweatpants or something like that, or skirts. Later on you will want some aquaphor cream, or whatever your hospital recommends. That is about all that I can think of. For me, the handheld shower was essential. I hope you get started soon. Waiting is tough. I had my first round of chemo finish up on Christmas eve. Thank
God that they found it and you have family to support you. All will be well, soon.

mp327

pamela_preib said:

Diagnosis
Got a clear diagnosis from my colorectal surgeon today. The only thing not in yet is the results from my chest ct scan which he sent me on to after our appt. I am stage 1 which is what I suspected. He referred to it as stage 1 invasive anal cancer. My tumor is about 1 to 1.5 cm and I got to see it's ugly image today. Surgery is not an option because of placement which is in the canal. He set me up with my radiologist for Monday and my oncologist on Wednesday of next week. I feel relieved and scared all at once. Definately going to be a different holiday season for our family. It all feels so real now. I'm a cancer patient! Can someone remind me where the site for needed items for treatment might be? I know I saw it but can't seem to find it now. I was also going to ask if any of you kept your jobs working with the public thru the chemo portion of treatment. I work at a library with my hands all over dirty books and lots of public contact. Thank you and so glad you are all here.

Hi Pam--
I think you got some very good news in that you are Stage 1, which is very treatable. I have seen pics of my tumor and refer to it as my "barnacle," which is what it looked like to me. It sounds like next week will be a busy one for you, but you'll begin to feel like you are doing something to get rid of this thing as you get a treatment plan nailed down by your docs.

As for your work environment, you will be exposed to a lot of germs. It probably goes without saying that the less exposure the better, but if you must work, can you wear latex gloves to do your job? Having hand sanitizer at arm's reach will be a necessity. And as much as I hate to say it, having a surgical mask on hand may not be a bad idea for use when someone who is obviously suffering a cold or other malady comes near. I know someone who wore a mask anytime she went out in public while in treatment.

I will try to find the list on here and bump it up to the top of the topics for you.

islandgirlculebra

pamela_preib said:

Ambien
I'm going to contact my primary care doctor today and get a prescription for Ambien. My mother and my friends all say it works wonders at even half a pill. The Xanax just isn't doing it for me. I'm still waking up every hour on the hour. Thanks for your input. Two more days to more information...

-Pam

Sleep Aid
I just wanted to say that a wonderful nurse told me she "hates" Ambien because it's addictive, and she switched me to Restoril, which she said is not so addictive. I took that during my treatments and the months afterward and it helped immensely with sleeping. She also told me that sleep is vitally IMPORTANT because that is when your body heals. I also had to take oxycotin for pain relief from the radiation and that really made me sleep like a baby. (With no addiction problems afterwards). My best wishes to you - you can see from this network that there are many survivors of this cancer and you will be one of them!!