Possible recuurence

Didiabolical

Does anyone know if a swelling around the pubic region could be a possible reccurrence of my anal cancer?

mp327

Didiabolical

I cannot answer your question.  My best advice is to contact your doctor and ask that question of him/her.

eihtak

Didiabolical....

I agree, this question is best discussed with your doctor......but, for the record, I have some minor swelling in the pubic region (I'm almost 4yrs post treatment) and I remember discussing this concern with my doctor at about 6 months post. It is minor lymphedema and has not gotten any worse over the years, but also maybe only slightly better. If I wear smething like control top pantyhose or compression shorts (like bike shorts) it seems to be less as well as when I get up in the am. I do some light stretching, yoga, and try to get regular exercise which also helps. I have never nor do I now consider that "mine" is related to recurrence, but I do advise you to ask your doctor.

katheryn

Didiabolical

eihtak said:

Didiabolical....

I agree, this question is best discussed with your doctor......but, for the record, I have some minor swelling in the pubic region (I'm almost 4yrs post treatment) and I remember discussing this concern with my doctor at about 6 months post. It is minor lymphedema and has not gotten any worse over the years, but also maybe only slightly better. If I wear smething like control top pantyhose or compression shorts (like bike shorts) it seems to be less as well as when I get up in the am. I do some light stretching, yoga, and try to get regular exercise which also helps. I have never nor do I now consider that "mine" is related to recurrence, but I do advise you to ask your doctor.

katheryn

Thank you for taking the time

Thank you for taking the time to reply Katheryn. Much appreciated.

I think my fear is that if I go to the doctor they'll start requesting investigations etc. I'm due to hace CT scan and MRI at the end of January to find out if my treatment has worked. At the moment I'm quite happy to stay in a state of ignorant bliss however, whenever I get any sort of symptom, i automatically think that it's the cancer coming back! I suppost this goes with the territory does it? This is the thing i struggle with everyday thinking have I got cancer or has it gone...Did yours go away post treatment or have you had any recurrence? 

eihtak

Didiabolical said:

Thank you for taking the time

Thank you for taking the time to reply Katheryn. Much appreciated.

I think my fear is that if I go to the doctor they'll start requesting investigations etc. I'm due to hace CT scan and MRI at the end of January to find out if my treatment has worked. At the moment I'm quite happy to stay in a state of ignorant bliss however, whenever I get any sort of symptom, i automatically think that it's the cancer coming back! I suppost this goes with the territory does it? This is the thing i struggle with everyday thinking have I got cancer or has it gone...Did yours go away post treatment or have you had any recurrence? 

Didiabolical....

I too have a scan coming up in January and can relate to what you say about that state of ignorant bliss, but have learned that is not always wise, just the same, since we are not (or at least I am not) a doctor having only a little information does not make us completely knowledgable either.....thus, just learn to ask those who have been trained and take a deep breath and deal with the answer.

I have had what I consider protocal and professional follow-up care and all of my scans have been NED (no evidence of disease).....so in other words, "no recurrence"!!!  The problem is that tests, scans, blood work etc. does not measure the lasting side effects of what has occurred emotionally. I am better about it now, but it is very common during that first year or two to question every twinge of pain or change in your body and to wonder if cancer has returned. This cancer treatment leaves many with lasting side effects. The radiation has caused changes in our bodies inside and out and while the majority of people learn to manage and eventually get back to an acceptable state of normal, there are some who require more help.

When did you complete treatment?

The swelling that you asked about is really frustrating for me even though its not really all that much. I am 56 yrs old and in my younger days was involved in dance and developed a solid core and toned body (of which  yes, I was proud.) Through the years and 5 children later much of that had been lost but I did maintain some regular exercise and at 50 was pretty proud once again, (and it wasn't easy this time.) Then cancer treatment forced me to throw body image concerns out the window. As part of my treatment I was left with a permanent colostomy, the said swelling, and a dual breast cancer diagnoses resulting in a double mastectomy! "My core is a mess"......I still exercise and with creative dress no one knows the difference.....I guess I should just take the mirror out of the bathroom, haha.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, what I wanted to say was.....do what you can to stay calm and don't worry. I will keep you in my thoughts for a good report on your scan.

katheryn

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch

Didiabolical said:

Thank you for taking the time

Thank you for taking the time to reply Katheryn. Much appreciated.

I think my fear is that if I go to the doctor they'll start requesting investigations etc. I'm due to hace CT scan and MRI at the end of January to find out if my treatment has worked. At the moment I'm quite happy to stay in a state of ignorant bliss however, whenever I get any sort of symptom, i automatically think that it's the cancer coming back! I suppost this goes with the territory does it? This is the thing i struggle with everyday thinking have I got cancer or has it gone...Did yours go away post treatment or have you had any recurrence? 

Possible post-therapy effects.

Hello, Didiabolical:

It sounds like it hasn't been long since you completed your course of treatment. It has been 5 months for me. I was left with a very sore lower abdomen that the kitty really enjoys using as a trampoline. >_<

The oncologist thinks my soreness is from radiation injury, that the connective tissue around my guts was fried and is now less flexible than before. She just did a brief palpation, nothing more agressive than that. I'm not swollen, at least not externally, but there are some people who post here who are left with lymphedema in the pelvis or groin and end up having compression garments prescibed.

Since the radiation and chemo continue working for months after treatment and both also leave inflammation that needs time to start healing, the follow-ups aren't done until 3-ish months post-therapy. Scanning before that could provide inconclusive or even false results.

Have the oncologist do a physical exam in order to screen for a potential problem, if only to ease your mind, but resist being scanned prematurely if there appears to be nothing wrong. Besides, you don't want to have any unnecessary radiation exposures.

Have you been for physical therapy yet? Find a program specifically designed for cancer patients, like the STAR Program and/or PTs who specialize in pelvic floor therapy (it can really cut down on post-radiation anal pain).

* Side effects of treatment, lymphedema and others: <http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/index&gt;
* STAR Program, see upper R-hand corner: <http://www.oncologyrehabpartners.com/star-certifications/&gt;
* "How Can Physical Therapy Help with Anal Cancer Recovery?": <http://www.analcancerfoundation.org/2014/09/24/can-pt-help-anal-cancer-recovery/&gt;

All the best!

lilou

HELLO ,  HE CAN INVOLVE AN OEDEMA RADIQUE COMMENT BUT I THINK THAT ACTUALLY IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE OF IT WITH YOUR DOCTOR.  ONLY HE CAN DETECT OR NO AN ADENOPATHIE !!!  CROSS ONE GOOD DAY !

Didiabolical

eihtak said:

Didiabolical....

I too have a scan coming up in January and can relate to what you say about that state of ignorant bliss, but have learned that is not always wise, just the same, since we are not (or at least I am not) a doctor having only a little information does not make us completely knowledgable either.....thus, just learn to ask those who have been trained and take a deep breath and deal with the answer.

I have had what I consider protocal and professional follow-up care and all of my scans have been NED (no evidence of disease).....so in other words, "no recurrence"!!!  The problem is that tests, scans, blood work etc. does not measure the lasting side effects of what has occurred emotionally. I am better about it now, but it is very common during that first year or two to question every twinge of pain or change in your body and to wonder if cancer has returned. This cancer treatment leaves many with lasting side effects. The radiation has caused changes in our bodies inside and out and while the majority of people learn to manage and eventually get back to an acceptable state of normal, there are some who require more help.

When did you complete treatment?

The swelling that you asked about is really frustrating for me even though its not really all that much. I am 56 yrs old and in my younger days was involved in dance and developed a solid core and toned body (of which  yes, I was proud.) Through the years and 5 children later much of that had been lost but I did maintain some regular exercise and at 50 was pretty proud once again, (and it wasn't easy this time.) Then cancer treatment forced me to throw body image concerns out the window. As part of my treatment I was left with a permanent colostomy, the said swelling, and a dual breast cancer diagnoses resulting in a double mastectomy! "My core is a mess"......I still exercise and with creative dress no one knows the difference.....I guess I should just take the mirror out of the bathroom, haha.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble, what I wanted to say was.....do what you can to stay calm and don't worry. I will keep you in my thoughts for a good report on your scan.

katheryn

Hi Katheryn,
I finished

Hi Katheryn,

I finished treatment in August but asked if i could have my scan postponed until my busy work period had finished (I mark examination scripts). He agreed to this as he said even if I had the scan in November (the date it was originally planned for) they wouldn't be able to carry out any further procedures until at least 6 months after my treatment so I wasn't taking any additional risks by delaying.

I too had breast cancer two years ago. I only had a lumpectomy though and I sailed throught the treatments with very few side effects apart from hair loss. I thought I was incredibly lucky and then I got struck down with the horror that is anal cancer. I can never understand why as I don't fit into any of the 'at risk' categories. I also kept myself pretty fit and active.

I do excercise on a daily basis now (use the Cindy Crawford post pregnancy tape - lol!) in an attempt to keep any possible lymphodema at bay. I also walk dogs at a local animal sanctury once per week - this is so good at cheering me up as the dogs seem so gratful to be taken out and given a bit of attention and they're always cheerful!

You seem to have had a pretty rough time and i really admire how positive you seem to be - well done you! I think my biggest fear is having to have lots of treatments and procedures in the future so my children (I have two) only remember me as being poorly and incapacitated.  

Anyway, that's my story. Thanks for sharing yours. It's good to talk to fellow cancerians as others can only offer fairly meaningless (if well meant) platitiudes.

Ta ta for now,

Di . 

Didiabolical

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch said:

Possible post-therapy effects.

Hello, Didiabolical:

It sounds like it hasn't been long since you completed your course of treatment. It has been 5 months for me. I was left with a very sore lower abdomen that the kitty really enjoys using as a trampoline. >_<

The oncologist thinks my soreness is from radiation injury, that the connective tissue around my guts was fried and is now less flexible than before. She just did a brief palpation, nothing more agressive than that. I'm not swollen, at least not externally, but there are some people who post here who are left with lymphedema in the pelvis or groin and end up having compression garments prescibed.

Since the radiation and chemo continue working for months after treatment and both also leave inflammation that needs time to start healing, the follow-ups aren't done until 3-ish months post-therapy. Scanning before that could provide inconclusive or even false results.

Have the oncologist do a physical exam in order to screen for a potential problem, if only to ease your mind, but resist being scanned prematurely if there appears to be nothing wrong. Besides, you don't want to have any unnecessary radiation exposures.

Have you been for physical therapy yet? Find a program specifically designed for cancer patients, like the STAR Program and/or PTs who specialize in pelvic floor therapy (it can really cut down on post-radiation anal pain).

* Side effects of treatment, lymphedema and others: <http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/physicalsideeffects/index&gt;
* STAR Program, see upper R-hand corner: <http://www.oncologyrehabpartners.com/star-certifications/&gt;
* "How Can Physical Therapy Help with Anal Cancer Recovery?": <http://www.analcancerfoundation.org/2014/09/24/can-pt-help-anal-cancer-recovery/&gt;

All the best!

Thanks for all the very

Thanks for all the very useful info. I will have a look at the sites you've recommended.

I'm going for a scan in January so I think unless things get any worse, I'll wait till then to discuss any concerns. The oncologist has told me that he can't perform any further procedures until at least 6 months after my treatment ended which was end of August so, by delaying investigations, I don't think i'm risking anything.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to reply,

Di

Ouch_Ouch_Ouch

lilou said:

HELLO ,  HE CAN INVOLVE AN OEDEMA RADIQUE COMMENT BUT I THINK THAT ACTUALLY IT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE OF IT WITH YOUR DOCTOR.  ONLY HE CAN DETECT OR NO AN ADENOPATHIE !!!  CROSS ONE GOOD DAY !

Agreement.

I hope that Didiabolical checks with the oncologist to screen for anything serious (and also gets a PT referral). There's no need to wait until January for that. Fingers crossed!