HPV and risk for anal cancer

Katie_984

Hello, 

I am a 33 year old female who is terrified of a possible cancer diagnosis. At age 21, I had an abnormal pap smear and was told i had a strand of HPV. I had a colposcopy to remove and test the affected cells and told to come in for paps twice a year, for two years. All paps came back normal and I was cleared to return to coming annually.  During the time,  I also got the Gardisil vaccine as i was told it protects against numerous strands. Within the last 5 or so years I have had sporadic rectal bleeding. I have brought it up at a couple different appointments and was assured it was likely hemorrhoids.  I do admittedly have a bad habit of sitting on the toilet while reading and often strain. Well, lately the frequency of blood when I wipe has increased. I've also noticed a loose piece of skin on my anus and can feel a protrusion just inside my anus. So, I brought it up again at my most recent OBGYN appointment, she suggested I see a GI dr., who scheduled a colonoscopy for me. I am so scared. The colonoscopy is not for another month and I am losing sleep over this. Is there any other tests to check for anal cancer that I could schedule in the mean time? Also, if it is cancer, and I had my HPV diagnoses 12 years ago, what stage might it be in?

mp327

Katie_984

I can understand your concerns.  When I experienced rectal bleeding back in 2008, I scheduled an appointment with a colorectal specialist.  She did an exam on me right in her office called anoscopy, which is a small scope inserted into the anus.  This is a simple exam (and painless for me) and requires no prep.  This is a very good way to view the anal canal.  It's good that you're getting a colonoscopy, but please know that that scope is not always done in a way that the anal canal can be viewed.  It's my understand that the scope must be turned back towards the anal canal in order to get a view.  I would definitely discuss this with the GI doctor who is doing your scope and make sure he/she will be taking a look at the anal canal.

In most cases, HPV is the suspected cause for anal cancer.  I never knew I had HPV (and still don't know), but was diagnosed with anal cancer in 2008 at the age of 54.  My tumor was on the fence between stage 1 and stage 2.  It is impossible to know what stage anal cancer someone has unless and until more physical exam and testing is done.  I had a PET scan to determine if there was any cancer in my lymph nodes, liver or lungs (which are the typical places anal cancer spreads to).  Fortunately, for me, my cancer was localized.  I had treatment in 2008 and am doing quite well 9 years later.

Please don't panic until you have something to panic about.  But if you can find no answers from the colonoscopy, then I would seek out a colorectal surgeon and have anoscopy done.  I wish you all the very best as you seek answers and I hope it turns out to be nothing more than hemorrhoids as your doctor has suggested. 

LindaBaehr

HPV

Mine was HPV mediated.  Try not too panic too much, but it is good you are having it looked at.  Yes, make sure they do a good job and get a good biopsy if needed.  They had to do a second colonoscopy on me because the first biopsy didn't get enough tissue.  Good luck.  

jajmom

Hello Katie

You've done all the right things. You've been persistant in seeking a diagnosis of your rectal bleeding regardless of the fact that numerous health professionals have told you it was "most likely" hemorrhoids. The protrusion and the bleeding are all good reasons to have a colonoscopy, esp. since you were informed of having HPV. Kudos to you for being adamant in your desire to find a cause for the bleeding. I know it is difficult waiting for your test, but for now the one you are waiting on will be the best diagnostic tool for what is going on. If anything abnormal is seen, an immediate biopsy will be taken during your procedure. It seems like a long wait but try and not allow yourself to be too anxious. I've always said to not waste your time on worry until it's necessary. Worry will not change your results, it will just make the wait more agonizing. If anal cancer is found take heart that it responds very well to treatment and in many cases it can be eliminated. Hang in there!

It has been almost a year since I was diagnosed. My cancer was found due to suspicious lymph nodes showing up on a CT scan for stomach pain, (completely not associated with my anal cancer). I had had severe rectal bleeding for about 6 months prior to that and a mass that would push out during BM's but assumed hemorrhoids as did my GI. Thankfully something else sent me to the ER or I probably would have let it go even longer. Also, just because you were diagnosed with HPV 12 years ago would not mean if there was a tumor that it had been there that long. From what I have read, these tumors are slow to develope. Also, most adults have had HPV and get over it, it's only a few that for some reason insist on keeping it around! You have been looking out for yourself and I commend you for that! I now tell anyone who will listen to tell their doc about ANY rectal bleeding and schedule a colonscopy if your over 50 regardless if you are having problems or not.

Take care and let us know how you make out,

Chris

 

sephie

colonoscopy misses anal cancer many times

get doc to get you  to colorectal surgeon for anoscope......i had  coloscopies that missed the anal cancer ....until  i hurt so badly that i had 2nd opinion......that was 8 years ago....stage 2......sephie

Katie_984

Thank you each for your

Thank you each for your replies! Hard to believe that this was two years ago, and unfortunately I am still dealing with rectal bleeding! The colonoscopy went well and I had the doctor turn the camera around to take pictures of the anus. He did see an anal papillae, but nothing else and no fissure. So, I went to a colorectal surgeon and she diagnosed me with having a fissure. She said having a skin tag (see original post), and papillae are common with fissures and are quite often seen together. I had the skin tag removed (it has since come back) and used nitroglycerin cream, which helped. However, I am still experiencing bleeding and even feel some rough spots and bumps. I am again convinced that I have anal cancer and went in for a anal pap today. I didn't know that you could get one of these and am wondering why it wasn't offered to ke two years ago. Regardless, I got one now and am anxiously waiting for the results. My history of HPV is very concerning to me. I am once again terrified. 

feckcancer

Anal cancer is good news, bad

Anal cancer is good news, bad news kinda cancer. bad news you've got cancer, good news it can be cured. if it is, it will be in early stage which always makes cancer easier to treat. whatever happens take this as a wake up call, be grateful you probably will get a 2nd chance & change anything you feel/know that may have contributed to how your health is today. it is really important if you smoke cigarettes that you stop as it is one of the causes of anal cancer & will prevent you from healing well.  It is really good you had the Gardisil vaccine, Australia has nearly 100% vacination rate and already their HPV cancer rate is dropping. Good luck 

annie4145

Katie_984 said:

Thank you each for your

Thank you each for your replies! Hard to believe that this was two years ago, and unfortunately I am still dealing with rectal bleeding! The colonoscopy went well and I had the doctor turn the camera around to take pictures of the anus. He did see an anal papillae, but nothing else and no fissure. So, I went to a colorectal surgeon and she diagnosed me with having a fissure. She said having a skin tag (see original post), and papillae are common with fissures and are quite often seen together. I had the skin tag removed (it has since come back) and used nitroglycerin cream, which helped. However, I am still experiencing bleeding and even feel some rough spots and bumps. I am again convinced that I have anal cancer and went in for a anal pap today. I didn't know that you could get one of these and am wondering why it wasn't offered to ke two years ago. Regardless, I got one now and am anxiously waiting for the results. My history of HPV is very concerning to me. I am once again terrified. 

See if you can find a

See if you can find a hospital near you that has something similar to the one at UCSF.  They do an anascope (wtih a vinager dye), and it shows up abnormal cells early.  Since you are HPV +, you need to get tracked periodically from now on.  I was HPV + and didn't know it.  Was diagnosed as a result of a colonoscopy as Stage 3a, but the doctor says the some colonoscopies wont' pick up anal cancer, so it is better to get an anascope periodically.

annie4145

annie4145 said:

See if you can find a

See if you can find a hospital near you that has something similar to the one at UCSF.  They do an anascope (wtih a vinager dye), and it shows up abnormal cells early.  Since you are HPV +, you need to get tracked periodically from now on.  I was HPV + and didn't know it.  Was diagnosed as a result of a colonoscopy as Stage 3a, but the doctor says the some colonoscopies wont' pick up anal cancer, so it is better to get an anascope periodically.

https://www.ucsfhealth.org

https://www.ucsfhealth.org/clinics/anal-neoplasia-clinic-research-and-education-ancre-center

 

 

Eileencj

HPV - My husband

Hi all,

My husband first had, and still may have, HPV Tonsil Cancer.  He went through 35 rounds of radiation just before Xmas.  After treatment they did a CT Scan and his tonsil lit up, as well as, his anal area.  The DR. said he isn't sure if its tonsil cancer or scar tissue but recommends having his tonsils removed to play it safe, and they have scheduled a anal Biopsy for early August.  His colonoscopy came back normal, as well as, the Anoscope and finger test.  Have you heard of CT Scans finding anal cancer while other tests fail to find it?