CT scan: no spread, but ...

jbug2
jbug2 Member Posts: 73
in Anal Cancer #1

So I saw my medical oncologist a month ago, who recommended a CT scan, and THAT said "no evidence of spread".  About 2 weeks later, I have a red ring around the radiated area (finished treatment 1/13).  THEN I noticed a tiny pinhole in the skin near the anal area when I inspected because of a pain level of about a "2" down there, increasing with BM's.  That pinhole opening was a bit bigger the next day.  At my radiation doctor's appointment a few days ago, she did a pretty intense exam of the anal area and found  pea sized "something or other".  Any comments?  Has anyone else found a pea sized something or other a year after treatment?  I am doing a lot of sitz bath soaks, hoping this is an abcess or something.  I see my surgeon at the end of April.

Comments

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #2
    Hi jbug2

    I had a pea-sized 'something' within a year after treatment - turned out to be a thrombosed hemmy and went away on its own after a couple of months. It was my colo-rectal surgeon who told me what it was and that it wasn't a recurrence of cancer. Maybe it would be a good idea to see your colo-rectal doctor? They often are more experienced in such things than a radiation doctor. Hope your 'something' turns out to be 'nothing' too.

  • jbug2
    jbug2 Member Posts: 73
    #3
    RoseC said:

    Hi jbug2

    I had a pea-sized 'something' within a year after treatment - turned out to be a thrombosed hemmy and went away on its own after a couple of months. It was my colo-rectal surgeon who told me what it was and that it wasn't a recurrence of cancer. Maybe it would be a good idea to see your colo-rectal doctor? They often are more experienced in such things than a radiation doctor. Hope your 'something' turns out to be 'nothing' too.

    Thanks RoseC

    I'll see the colo-rectal surgeon at the end of April.  I just saw the GYN a few days ago, he swipped the open sore by the spot and sent that off to the labs.  Uh, wishful thinking that ALL of this had never happened, or was at least, far, far, behind me.  The GYN insisted he'd "have that biopsied" if it isn't gone by the end of April.

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #4
    jbug2

    Is there a chance you could move the late April appointment up so you can get this checked out by your surgeon, who would seem to have the most and best-informed opinion.  I would insist on a biopsy if it looks the least bit questionable.  I had 3 very small anal condylomas removed 2 years after my treatment ended.  They were internal and were sent to biopsy.  Fortunately, they were benign, but my colorectal surgeon advised me that they needed to come out, as they were most likely HPV positive and could eventually become cancerous.  I hope yours turns out to be nothing of concern, but I would definitely get it checked out.

  • jbug2
    jbug2 Member Posts: 73
    #5
    mp327 said:

    jbug2

    Is there a chance you could move the late April appointment up so you can get this checked out by your surgeon, who would seem to have the most and best-informed opinion.  I would insist on a biopsy if it looks the least bit questionable.  I had 3 very small anal condylomas removed 2 years after my treatment ended.  They were internal and were sent to biopsy.  Fortunately, they were benign, but my colorectal surgeon advised me that they needed to come out, as they were most likely HPV positive and could eventually become cancerous.  I hope yours turns out to be nothing of concern, but I would definitely get it checked out.

    mp327

    I may have that surgeon's appointment moved up closer although it's scarey and I dread seeing him.  Sitz baths helped the irritation pain level of "2", though.  I had been traveling and wasn't staying close to the bathroom, taking the warm bath soaks I usually take.  I tested positive with HPV nearly 14 years ago, and I'm waiting to hear the results of recent tests for the HPV.

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