Residual lump

Eddie33
Eddie33 Member Posts: 5
in Anal Cancer #1
Hi everyone. I completed treatment (5FU, Mitomycin and 28 radiation blasts) a month and a half ago and although my insides now feel healed I can still feel the "lump" that was there before. I wondered if anyone else had this and if it turned out to be clear or persistant at follow up?

Comments

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #2
    Hi Eddie
    Even after 3 1/2 years I still have a lump. Every once in a while it acts up, specially if I've had a bout of the runs. It's been checked numerous times and the doctor says it's probably always going to be there but not to worry about it - it's left over from the treatment, biopsies, and all the other stuff that we go through. But you should check with your doctor. Don't dwell on it though, just be sure and have it checked.

    How are you feeling? I hope all is well with you.

    Rose
  • Eddie33
    Eddie33 Member Posts: 5
    #3
    RoseC said:

    Hi Eddie
    Even after 3 1/2 years I still have a lump. Every once in a while it acts up, specially if I've had a bout of the runs. It's been checked numerous times and the doctor says it's probably always going to be there but not to worry about it - it's left over from the treatment, biopsies, and all the other stuff that we go through. But you should check with your doctor. Don't dwell on it though, just be sure and have it checked.

    How are you feeling? I hope all is well with you.

    Rose

    Hi Rose
    Thank you so much for your reply. I'm currently in-between the end of treatment and my first follow up and I dont mind saying i'm going out of my mind.

    I do feel better now for your reply, as having gone through everything and still being able to feel the lump I thought it had all been for nothing.

    My doctors are very select in what they are willing to say so it's nice to hear from other people who have been through it.

    Eddie.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #4
    Eddie33 said:

    Hi Rose
    Thank you so much for your reply. I'm currently in-between the end of treatment and my first follow up and I dont mind saying i'm going out of my mind.

    I do feel better now for your reply, as having gone through everything and still being able to feel the lump I thought it had all been for nothing.

    My doctors are very select in what they are willing to say so it's nice to hear from other people who have been through it.

    Eddie.

    That time in between the end
    That time in between the end of treatment and the first follow up is so intense. When is your doctor's appointment?

    The radiation keeps working for a long time after treatment. So try not to worry too much if things are not immediately back-to-normal.

    If you don't mind me asking, what stage were you?
  • Eddie33
    Eddie33 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    RoseC said:

    That time in between the end
    That time in between the end of treatment and the first follow up is so intense. When is your doctor's appointment?

    The radiation keeps working for a long time after treatment. So try not to worry too much if things are not immediately back-to-normal.

    If you don't mind me asking, what stage were you?


    I'm seeing him on the

    I'm seeing him on the 18th April. Hopefully this will put my mind at ease a little.

    I have now been staged twice. Originally it was T3N2M0 but then after a meeting with all the specialists they downgraded it to T2N1M0. I went for a PET-CT after this meeting which showed T2N0M0 but my doctor said cells can hide inside lymph nodes without showing up on the scan so he has kept me at N1.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #6
    Eddie33 said:


    I'm seeing him on the

    I'm seeing him on the 18th April. Hopefully this will put my mind at ease a little.

    I have now been staged twice. Originally it was T3N2M0 but then after a meeting with all the specialists they downgraded it to T2N1M0. I went for a PET-CT after this meeting which showed T2N0M0 but my doctor said cells can hide inside lymph nodes without showing up on the scan so he has kept me at N1.

    Thanks Eddie. The 18th seems
    Thanks Eddie. The 18th seems like a long way away right now, but it'll be here before you know it. This is a very curable cancer. Always keep that in mind. You'll be fine.

    Keep us informed as to your progress - we've all been through this and wish you nothing but the best.

    Rose
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #7
    Hi Eddie--
    What you are feeling could possibly be scar tissue, which is quite common after this treatment. I hope that's what you will be told at your upcoming appt. Keep in mind that this treatment has a very high rate of success, especially compared to other types of cancers/treatments. Try to think positive and also, as has already been said, remember that radiation will continue to work it's "magic" for a little while. I think you will get all good news.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #8
    Your dogs are beautiful
    Love your doggies, Eddie - they're beautiful!
  • Eddie33
    Eddie33 Member Posts: 5
    #9
    RoseC said:

    Your dogs are beautiful
    Love your doggies, Eddie - they're beautiful!

    Thank you. They have played
    Thank you. They have played a big part through this journey :)
  • Eddie33
    Eddie33 Member Posts: 5
    #10
    mp327 said:

    Hi Eddie--
    What you are feeling could possibly be scar tissue, which is quite common after this treatment. I hope that's what you will be told at your upcoming appt. Keep in mind that this treatment has a very high rate of success, especially compared to other types of cancers/treatments. Try to think positive and also, as has already been said, remember that radiation will continue to work it's "magic" for a little while. I think you will get all good news.

    Thank you :) I'm hoping so
    Thank you :) I'm hoping so too. As you know it is such a long slow journey and I get low points now and again.
  • sephie
    sephie Member Posts: 650 Member
    #11
    Eddie33 said:

    Thank you. They have played
    Thank you. They have played a big part through this journey :)

    still have bump
    I had exact same tx . i will be 3 yrs post tx in july and i still have a bump and swelling on left side of anus. but my tumor was on rt. side. MD Anderson checks it each time and still says No evidence of disease. Love the dogs. lost my Lab of 14 years but still have a wonderful cat who thinks she is a dog. sephie
  • Bella_G
    Bella_G Member Posts: 30 Member
    #12
    Had my first follow up scope today
    6 weeks post treatment I returned to my surgeon today for an anoscope and she said a small lump is there but appears to be scar tissue. I will return every 3 months and she'll watch for changes. She'll order a biopsy if she thinks it is warranted.

    She also mentioned radiation works for a few months after treatment is completed which surprised me as my radiation oncologist never mentioned this.
  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #13
    Bella_G said:

    Had my first follow up scope today
    6 weeks post treatment I returned to my surgeon today for an anoscope and she said a small lump is there but appears to be scar tissue. I will return every 3 months and she'll watch for changes. She'll order a biopsy if she thinks it is warranted.

    She also mentioned radiation works for a few months after treatment is completed which surprised me as my radiation oncologist never mentioned this.

    Bella_G
    I'm glad your doc thinks this lump is scar tissue--I'm sure that's what it is. How can a person not have some scar tissue after this brutal treatment? You are being closely watched for any changes, so this is very good. And your doc is correct--radiation is the "gift" that keeps on giving.
  • radarbaby
    radarbaby Member Posts: 8
    #14
    Lump
    Was surgery done initially to remove the tumor? Scar tissue is very common. My surgeon did go back in about 6 months later for a biopsy, but it was fine. My follow-up Onc. can not feel the lump anymore, but it's been more than 8 years now.

    We all worry about recurrence. That gets better with time.
  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #15
    mp327 said:

    Bella_G
    I'm glad your doc thinks this lump is scar tissue--I'm sure that's what it is. How can a person not have some scar tissue after this brutal treatment? You are being closely watched for any changes, so this is very good. And your doc is correct--radiation is the "gift" that keeps on giving.

    Good to hear that the doctor
    Good to hear that the doctor thinks it's scar tissue. You've been in my prayers and they've been answered. Stay well!
  • AZANNIE
    AZANNIE Member Posts: 445 Member
    #16
    radarbaby said:

    Lump
    Was surgery done initially to remove the tumor? Scar tissue is very common. My surgeon did go back in about 6 months later for a biopsy, but it was fine. My follow-up Onc. can not feel the lump anymore, but it's been more than 8 years now.

    We all worry about recurrence. That gets better with time.

    radarbaby
    Wow! more than 8 years, that's encouraging!


    Ann

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