Recurrence - really?

Cazz
Cazz Member Posts: 106
in Anal Cancer #1

A litle background: last April I discovered a lump on my leg, embedded in my calf muscle.  Don't worry, can't possibly be a met, anal cancer never goes to the extremeties.  That from my onc, my radiation onc, the onc nurses, the surgeon who did the biopsy, but of course they were all wrong.  It didn't bother me much so for various reasons I didn't get it radiated away until November.  Well, it never softened, nor got smaller, so I asked for a scan and got an MRI last week.

The radiation oncologist looked at the results and told me that indeed there was still a tumor in the same place in my leg, but it must be a recurrence because she had killed it only three months ago (no follow up scan until this one).  Never mind that the slides showed a tumor that was the same size as it had been in November only now all of the inside was necrotic with the cancerous material encapsulating it.

I just did not believe her, I think they misjudged its size and never radiated far enough out and she won't admit it.  So eventually it will need to be re-radiated - carefully as there is a danger of frying the already radiated muscle and bone.  Do you think I am justified in looking for a new radiation oncologist?

On another note, I am going to Houston on Monday for a CT scan to see what's happening to all my other little lovelies in my lungs and chest and liver.  They checked the liver in January to make sure the spheres were working, which they did seem to be, but didn't bother with the rest.  So now I get to see what 8 weeks of Erbitux has done for them.

Tell me again, when do we get to the fun part?

Carol

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Cazz

    I am on the road and just logged on.  Wow, I am really sorry to hear all of this.  I don't blame you for questioning whether or not you received enough radiation initially.  I think you have every reason to seek a second opinion. 

    I wish you all the best in Houston and hope that you'll get all good news.  Safe travels to you and keep us posted, please.

    Martha

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Cazz

    I am on the road and just logged on.  Wow, I am really sorry to hear all of this.  I don't blame you for questioning whether or not you received enough radiation initially.  I think you have every reason to seek a second opinion. 

    I wish you all the best in Houston and hope that you'll get all good news.  Safe travels to you and keep us posted, please.

    Martha

    Cazz

    I am sorry that you are up against yet another issue. I can understand you being doubtful of the radiation to the leg tumour, and I would certainly be looking for a second opinion. 

    Good luck for your upcoming reviews. 

    Take care

    Liz

  • tallorder5793
    tallorder5793 Member Posts: 67
    #4
    Cazz

    Hi Carol: I am so sorry to hear about what's happened. Since you're already signed up with MD Anderson oncology, would you be able to do radiation with them as well? I realize of course this would involve time commitment and extra travel expenses. Maybe Dr. Eng will have other ideas. Wishing you all the best!

  • Ouch_Ouch_Ouch
    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch Member Posts: 508 Member
    #5
    Cazz ---

    How is that leg tumor doing? Not operable? (Sorry if you have answered this in another thread.) When my oncologist was trying to decide if I should start coming yearly or stick to 6 months, I told her your anal cancer leg tumor story. She got a little pale and said, "Okay, six months it is!"

  • tallorder5793
    tallorder5793 Member Posts: 67
    #6
    lump in my leg

    Hi Carol,

    I just had scans last week. Doctor told me stable in my liver and lung. Unfortunately though, I was told there's a bone met at play.

    Over the weekend, I ALSO discovered a lump in my inner thigh close to the inguinal node radiation site. I showed the lump to my local oncologist, who referred me to a dermatologist. Yesterday, while visiting with dermatogist, she pointed out a smaller lump close to the larger one. And so it's hard to imagine - with multiple lumps - i have a cyst or something benign. But I won't know for sure for a week or so.

    The doctor also removed a spot from my face. Which she said was highly suspicious for squamous cell skin cancer.

    Anyway, thanks for sharing leg story. It's a little less alarming when I know others are also facing this issue.

    JD

     

     

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