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when is it safe to get a sigmoidoscopy after treatment

pem
pem CSN Member Posts: 81 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

Does anyone know how long you should wait after treatment before you could get any scopes, sigmoidoscopy or an aniscope?  any advice would be greatly appreciatied thx ...pem

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Comments

  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow CSN Member Posts: 600 Member
    #2
    AnascopeThats

    At 3 months.

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  • Phoebesnow
    Phoebesnow CSN Member Posts: 600 Member
    #3
    Anascope

    At 3 months.

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  • pem
    pem CSN Member Posts: 81 Member
    #4
    Phoebesnow said:

    Anascope

    At 3 months.

    scopes

    thanks guys.  does that mean no to the other types of scopes?

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  • lizdeli
    lizdeli CSN Member Posts: 569 Member
    #5
    pem said:

    scopes

    thanks guys.  does that mean no to the other types of scopes?

    3 months

    I had my first set of scopes a little short of 3 months post treatment. It wasn't that painful.  My first OBGYN appointment was 5 months post treatment. 

    Liz

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  • mp327
    mp327 CSN Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #6
    scopes

    I had my first post-treatment anoscope at 6 weeks.

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  • cap630
    cap630 CSN Member Posts: 151
    #7
    Scope

    3 months after treatment then every 3 months for the first year.  Now every 6 months.  Painful for me because of scare tissue.

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  • RoseC
    RoseC CSN Member Posts: 559
    #8
    cap630 said:

    Scope

    3 months after treatment then every 3 months for the first year.  Now every 6 months.  Painful for me because of scare tissue.

    Scare Tissue

    Good name for it! That scar tissue can cause a lot of scares.

     

    As to the exam, three months out for me was the first time. Not too bad pain-wise. Every three months for (I think) the first year and a half, now (4 1/2 years out) twice a year.

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  • 7243
    7243 CSN Member Posts: 249 Member
    #9
    Scopes

    I had an exam under anesthesia at 3 months post treatment by colo-rectal surgeon, anoscopes every 3 months for two years by surgeon, and my GI guy did  a sigmoidoscopy every 3 months first two years ... Every 6 months now.  Never hurt ... So used to all this "surveillance"!  Having one tomorrow in fact!

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  • Barb5454
    Barb5454 CSN Member Posts: 125 Member
    #10
    pem

    I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

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  • 7243
    7243 CSN Member Posts: 249 Member
    #11
    Barb5454 said:

    pem

    I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

    Hang in there Barb5454

    Sending well wishes and Peace!!  xo

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  • mp327
    mp327 CSN Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    Barb5454 said:

    pem

    I'm actually having mine done next week. I'm 3 months post treament. I had a ct scan done last month and no cancer was found. So this scope will hopefully show the same. I'm a bit nervous

    Barb5454

    May you get the same all clear on your scope as you did your CT! 

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  • Rej0328
    Rej0328 CSN Member Posts: 21
    #13
    Sigmoidoscopy

    Getting a little nervous here.  I have been done with treatment for two years and have never had any kind of scope.  The colorectal surgeon just uses his finger, and I get a CT every 6 months.  Is this ok?

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  • mp327
    mp327 CSN Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #14
    Rej0328 said:

    Sigmoidoscopy

    Getting a little nervous here.  I have been done with treatment for two years and have never had any kind of scope.  The colorectal surgeon just uses his finger, and I get a CT every 6 months.  Is this ok?

    I am approaching the 5-year mark and still see my colorectal doctor every 6 months, at which time she does DRE and anoscope.  I believe this is the standard follow-up exam.  I would definitely ask why your doctor isn't using anoscope to examine you.  It is a short scope used to view only the anal canal and is usually painless, only a little uncomfortable, and requires no prep.  CT's are not recommended in the NCCN guidelines.  However, like your doc, my med onc seems to be hung up on doing scans and I have been having them every 6 months.  I have one coming up in June and that's it for me--NO MORE!

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