Possible Anal Cancer

James80916
James80916 Member Posts: 9
in Anal Cancer #1
Hello All...

I am concerned and worried. For two years in a row I had to have some growths removed in my anal canal due to HPV. Today my colorectal doctor found about a 3cm lump type thing in my anal canal and her words were that it didnt feel or look like a cancerous lump however she will cut this out (compared to lasering out the previous growth)and sew it up. This will be done on June 7th in Denver.

The doctor tells me there is a high success rate of curing anal cancer if caught early enough (not spread to other parts of the body)which I am hoping it's not anal cancer or at least she has caught it early.

Has anyone had something similar to where it turned into anal cancer? And if so what recommendations, advice, or suggestions you may have? Also any problems you may have encountered.

Thank you for reading,
Jim
Colorado Springs, CO

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    Hi Jim
    I'm sorry you have found yourself on an anal cancer support forum and I sincerely hope that this turns out to be a benign growth. Your situation is not unlike mine, however, in reverse. I was first diagnosed with anal cancer in June 2008 after experiencing bleeding, mucous discharge, bloating, severe constipation, painful BM's and thinning of stools. I received 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. I am now approaching 3 years post-treatment and am doing quite well. However, in September 2010, during my regular 3-month follow-up with my colorectal doctor, she discovered 3 very small HPV warts with digital rectal exam and anoscope. I had anal condyloma, which were removed by anal fulguration (excision followed by cauterization). My doctor told me during my exam that the warts were not cancerous, but needed to be removed so that they did not turn into cancer. So far, my follow-ups since then have been negative for more growths. However, I have my next follow-up in early June, so fingers are crossed. I have no way of knowing if my cancer began as an HPV wart, but it's most likely. Anal cancer is an HPV-related disease in about 90% of cases.

    I would recommend that you visit the website for the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation @ analcancerfoundation.org. You'll find lots of good information there. I truly hope you are not diagnosed with cancer, but should you need more information on staging and treatment of this disease the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN.org) has extensive information available. Simple registration is required, but then you'll have access to the latest guidelines.

    I hope you'll come back here after your surgical procedure on June 7th. and let us know how things went. Hopefully, you won't have a long wait for the biopsy results and may they come back clean. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
  • lizdeli
    lizdeli Member Posts: 569 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    Hi Jim
    I'm sorry you have found yourself on an anal cancer support forum and I sincerely hope that this turns out to be a benign growth. Your situation is not unlike mine, however, in reverse. I was first diagnosed with anal cancer in June 2008 after experiencing bleeding, mucous discharge, bloating, severe constipation, painful BM's and thinning of stools. I received 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. I am now approaching 3 years post-treatment and am doing quite well. However, in September 2010, during my regular 3-month follow-up with my colorectal doctor, she discovered 3 very small HPV warts with digital rectal exam and anoscope. I had anal condyloma, which were removed by anal fulguration (excision followed by cauterization). My doctor told me during my exam that the warts were not cancerous, but needed to be removed so that they did not turn into cancer. So far, my follow-ups since then have been negative for more growths. However, I have my next follow-up in early June, so fingers are crossed. I have no way of knowing if my cancer began as an HPV wart, but it's most likely. Anal cancer is an HPV-related disease in about 90% of cases.

    I would recommend that you visit the website for the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation @ analcancerfoundation.org. You'll find lots of good information there. I truly hope you are not diagnosed with cancer, but should you need more information on staging and treatment of this disease the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN.org) has extensive information available. Simple registration is required, but then you'll have access to the latest guidelines.

    I hope you'll come back here after your surgical procedure on June 7th. and let us know how things went. Hopefully, you won't have a long wait for the biopsy results and may they come back clean. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hi Jim
    I ditto what Martha posted. The biopsy results is what you need. Did you ask your doctor if they could do a biopsy before surgery?

    I'm in the Denver area. What doctor are you seeing? Send a PM if you would rather not post that publicly.
    Liz
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #4
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in here but you have found a very supportive and loving group who will be there for you. I (what is more than ditto?) agree with what Martha said too. Have the biopsy and go from there. Keep us posted and write back in here to let us know how it goes. Meanwhile my prayers and thoughts are with you. Marilyne
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #5
    lizdeli said:

    Hi Jim
    I ditto what Martha posted. The biopsy results is what you need. Did you ask your doctor if they could do a biopsy before surgery?

    I'm in the Denver area. What doctor are you seeing? Send a PM if you would rather not post that publicly.
    Liz

    Hi Liz...
    Hi Liz...

    I am seeing Dr. Susan Sgambati at Rose Medical Center. She's been very helpful and wonderful to speak to. I am hoping that there will be a good cancer center in Colorado Springs that she is able to recommend if I need treatment...otherwise I will need to drive to Denver each day but will do what I need to do to get treatment. BTW...the surgery has been moved up to May 31st.

    Thank you for your support!

    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #6
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Jim - sorry you are in
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in here but you have found a very supportive and loving group who will be there for you. I (what is more than ditto?) agree with what Martha said too. Have the biopsy and go from there. Keep us posted and write back in here to let us know how it goes. Meanwhile my prayers and thoughts are with you. Marilyne

    Thank you Marilyne
    Hi Marilyne...

    Thank you for your encouragement! I will keep you informed of how this moves along. They will remove the lump and send it to biopsy which is what I prefer only because I know with family and other cancers they would biopsy and then still have to remove the tumor...so glad they will get it out of me.

    Thank you for your support!
    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #7
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Jim - sorry you are in
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in here but you have found a very supportive and loving group who will be there for you. I (what is more than ditto?) agree with what Martha said too. Have the biopsy and go from there. Keep us posted and write back in here to let us know how it goes. Meanwhile my prayers and thoughts are with you. Marilyne

    Thank you Marilyne
    Hi Marilyne...

    Thank you for your encouragement! I will keep you informed of how this moves along. They will remove the lump and send it to biopsy which is what I prefer only because I know with family and other cancers they would biopsy and then still have to remove the tumor...so glad they will get it out of me.

    Thank you for your support!
    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #8
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Jim - sorry you are in
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in here but you have found a very supportive and loving group who will be there for you. I (what is more than ditto?) agree with what Martha said too. Have the biopsy and go from there. Keep us posted and write back in here to let us know how it goes. Meanwhile my prayers and thoughts are with you. Marilyne

    Thank you Marilyne
    Hi Marilyne...

    Thank you for your encouragement! I will keep you informed of how this moves along. They will remove the lump and send it to biopsy which is what I prefer only because I know with family and other cancers they would biopsy and then still have to remove the tumor...so glad they will get it out of me.

    Thank you for your support!
    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #9
    sissy310 said:

    Hi Jim - sorry you are in
    Hi Jim - sorry you are in here but you have found a very supportive and loving group who will be there for you. I (what is more than ditto?) agree with what Martha said too. Have the biopsy and go from there. Keep us posted and write back in here to let us know how it goes. Meanwhile my prayers and thoughts are with you. Marilyne

    Thank you Marilyne
    Hi Marilyne...

    Thank you for your encouragement! I will keep you informed of how this moves along. They will remove the lump and send it to biopsy which is what I prefer only because I know with family and other cancers they would biopsy and then still have to remove the tumor...so glad they will get it out of me.

    Thank you for your support!
    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #10
    mp327 said:

    Hi Jim
    I'm sorry you have found yourself on an anal cancer support forum and I sincerely hope that this turns out to be a benign growth. Your situation is not unlike mine, however, in reverse. I was first diagnosed with anal cancer in June 2008 after experiencing bleeding, mucous discharge, bloating, severe constipation, painful BM's and thinning of stools. I received 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. I am now approaching 3 years post-treatment and am doing quite well. However, in September 2010, during my regular 3-month follow-up with my colorectal doctor, she discovered 3 very small HPV warts with digital rectal exam and anoscope. I had anal condyloma, which were removed by anal fulguration (excision followed by cauterization). My doctor told me during my exam that the warts were not cancerous, but needed to be removed so that they did not turn into cancer. So far, my follow-ups since then have been negative for more growths. However, I have my next follow-up in early June, so fingers are crossed. I have no way of knowing if my cancer began as an HPV wart, but it's most likely. Anal cancer is an HPV-related disease in about 90% of cases.

    I would recommend that you visit the website for the HPV and Anal Cancer Foundation @ analcancerfoundation.org. You'll find lots of good information there. I truly hope you are not diagnosed with cancer, but should you need more information on staging and treatment of this disease the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN.org) has extensive information available. Simple registration is required, but then you'll have access to the latest guidelines.

    I hope you'll come back here after your surgical procedure on June 7th. and let us know how things went. Hopefully, you won't have a long wait for the biopsy results and may they come back clean. Until then, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Thank you!
    Thank you so much for the information. I am sorry you've had to go through all that you've gone through. I am very happy to hear things are all good for you now. I will go to the websites you've provided and take a look as well.

    My surgery was moved up to May 31 so when I am feeling better and hear my biopsy reports then I will get back on here and let you and the others who've replied know. My dcc said the results should take about 48 hours to come back.

    Thank you for your encouragement!

    Jim
  • James80916
    James80916 Member Posts: 9
    #11
    Update
    All...

    First off let me say thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I had surgery on Tuesday the 31st and the lump that was removed was non-cancer. It's possible that the precancer cells may have gone away too but wont know for 3 weeks. They said they caught the lump at a good time before it went to cancer. I need to follow up ever 3 months for a while to keep a check on it.

    Although I've just met you online you've provided more support than I could have imagined. Thank you! If you'd like to stay in touch (and I will check on here as well) my email is Lapreacherboy@comcast.net.

    Again thank you to each of you for your support!

    Love and prayers to you all!

    Jim
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #12
    James80916 said:

    Update
    All...

    First off let me say thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I had surgery on Tuesday the 31st and the lump that was removed was non-cancer. It's possible that the precancer cells may have gone away too but wont know for 3 weeks. They said they caught the lump at a good time before it went to cancer. I need to follow up ever 3 months for a while to keep a check on it.

    Although I've just met you online you've provided more support than I could have imagined. Thank you! If you'd like to stay in touch (and I will check on here as well) my email is Lapreacherboy@comcast.net.

    Again thank you to each of you for your support!

    Love and prayers to you all!

    Jim

    WooHoo!
    Hi Jim!

    That's wonderful news. I'm so glad that this lesion was non-cancerous and I hope that the next bit of news you get in 3 weeks will be good as well. It sounds like your doctor will be diligent in following you with 3-month checks--that's good. Please come here anytime to update us--I wish you all good news from here on!
  • z
    z Member Posts: 1,414 Member
    #13
    James80916 said:

    Update
    All...

    First off let me say thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I had surgery on Tuesday the 31st and the lump that was removed was non-cancer. It's possible that the precancer cells may have gone away too but wont know for 3 weeks. They said they caught the lump at a good time before it went to cancer. I need to follow up ever 3 months for a while to keep a check on it.

    Although I've just met you online you've provided more support than I could have imagined. Thank you! If you'd like to stay in touch (and I will check on here as well) my email is Lapreacherboy@comcast.net.

    Again thank you to each of you for your support!

    Love and prayers to you all!

    Jim

    Jim
    Hi Jim,

    I am so happy to hear this great news. Please come back to say hi and let us know that your fine. I wish you well. Lori
  • duckyann
    duckyann Member Posts: 159
    #14
    z said:

    Jim
    Hi Jim,

    I am so happy to hear this great news. Please come back to say hi and let us know that your fine. I wish you well. Lori

    Great news!!!! I am so
    Great news!!!! I am so happy for you and yes please come back and let us know about your results.

    Take care
    Nancy
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #15
    James80916 said:

    Update
    All...

    First off let me say thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I had surgery on Tuesday the 31st and the lump that was removed was non-cancer. It's possible that the precancer cells may have gone away too but wont know for 3 weeks. They said they caught the lump at a good time before it went to cancer. I need to follow up ever 3 months for a while to keep a check on it.

    Although I've just met you online you've provided more support than I could have imagined. Thank you! If you'd like to stay in touch (and I will check on here as well) my email is Lapreacherboy@comcast.net.

    Again thank you to each of you for your support!

    Love and prayers to you all!

    Jim

    Hey Jim - awesome news! I'm
    Hey Jim - awesome news! I'm very happy for you and I'm sure you are relieved. Keep us posted. Marilyne
  • sissy310
    sissy310 Member Posts: 300
    #16
    James80916 said:

    Update
    All...

    First off let me say thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I had surgery on Tuesday the 31st and the lump that was removed was non-cancer. It's possible that the precancer cells may have gone away too but wont know for 3 weeks. They said they caught the lump at a good time before it went to cancer. I need to follow up ever 3 months for a while to keep a check on it.

    Although I've just met you online you've provided more support than I could have imagined. Thank you! If you'd like to stay in touch (and I will check on here as well) my email is Lapreacherboy@comcast.net.

    Again thank you to each of you for your support!

    Love and prayers to you all!

    Jim

    Hey Jim - awesome news! I'm
    Hey Jim - awesome news! I'm very happy for you and I'm sure you are relieved. Keep us posted. Marilyne

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