Back to the OR again

qv62
qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

These last few weeks have been those of some pain, discomfort, bleeding, itching, etc... again. Saw my colorectal surgical oncologist 4 weeks ago and was due back yesterday for a follow up, since I was not feeling any better I called last week to see if I could be seen a week early, unfortunately my doctor was out with an injury so I stuck to my appt originally scheduled, she is still out indefinately but I saw another physician yesterday who was wonderful. He did an anoscopy in addition to an exam and determined there is yet another abnormality, so I am scheduled back in the OR for biopsies Feb 6th, since my last 2 biopsies (June and Oct) came back inconclusive they will be using a differnt technique. They will be performing a punch biopsy to go further down and gain more of a deeper sample, my only concern is that it may once again effect my "functioning" Has anyone had a "punch biopsy" ?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
    qv62

    I'm sorry you have to go for more biopsies, but I'm glad the new doctor you saw is wonderful and did a thorough exam.  I am sure that the biopsy my colorectal surgeon did to confirm my diagnosis was not a punch biopsy, due to the fact that she took samples during a colonoscopy.  Judging from what my biopsy report said, the tested samples were from the surface.  However, my tumor was quite obvious, so it probably was not necessary to go very deep into the tissue to get samples.  I think punch biopsies are commonly done in the anal canal, so perhaps some of our other members can give you more information about this.  Please let us know when you are scheduled for this procedure. 

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #3
    QV62

    So sorry to hear you are having problems again.  Maybe seeing a different doc is a blessing in disguise - a different approach and opinion may be a good thing. 

    I have heard of punch biopsy for cervical biopsies.  In fact, I had one 15+ years ago for cervical dysplasia and it was done in the office.  I believe a small tissue sample is taken, similar to a paper punch hole.

    Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #4
    mp327 & Tracey

    thank you both for the response, I am just leary about the procedure since I was told it could effect my functioning, after 3 months of physical therapy to get that somewhat under control I don't want any setbacks, my procedure is set for Feb 6th. I don't know if my doctor will be back by then but Thursday is the day they both have OR time so it can go either way, the Thursday before that is my sons 18th birthday so I didn't want to take that date as much as I would have rather gone in sooner than later ..

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #5
    qv62 said:

    mp327 & Tracey

    thank you both for the response, I am just leary about the procedure since I was told it could effect my functioning, after 3 months of physical therapy to get that somewhat under control I don't want any setbacks, my procedure is set for Feb 6th. I don't know if my doctor will be back by then but Thursday is the day they both have OR time so it can go either way, the Thursday before that is my sons 18th birthday so I didn't want to take that date as much as I would have rather gone in sooner than later ..

    qv62

    I will be thinking all good thoughts for you!  I can certainly understand your hesitance--setbacks are not good!  I hope all will go well!

  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    #6
    punch biopsy

    hi...my name is alyse and i am 5 1/2 years NED.I had a punch biopsy 3 months after i completed treatment.When i took my pet scan after treatment...the anal area still lit up..The doctors were pretty sure it was the residual radiation.,but had to make sure..so they performed a punch biopsy.There's scar tissue and they had to do biopsy to make sure it was clean all the way through.Good luck to you...it does get better.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #7
    z810840b said:

    punch biopsy

    hi...my name is alyse and i am 5 1/2 years NED.I had a punch biopsy 3 months after i completed treatment.When i took my pet scan after treatment...the anal area still lit up..The doctors were pretty sure it was the residual radiation.,but had to make sure..so they performed a punch biopsy.There's scar tissue and they had to do biopsy to make sure it was clean all the way through.Good luck to you...it does get better.

    Alyse

    Thanks Alyse for responding, can you tell me the difference in recovery from the punch biopsy vs a regular anal biopsy ? I have lost count as to how many biopsies I've had. I generally have a few a year and go into the OR on a Thurs, usually go home the same day, sore most of the weekend and back to work on MOnday. Can you tell me what to expect differently ?

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #8
    z810840b said:

    punch biopsy

    hi...my name is alyse and i am 5 1/2 years NED.I had a punch biopsy 3 months after i completed treatment.When i took my pet scan after treatment...the anal area still lit up..The doctors were pretty sure it was the residual radiation.,but had to make sure..so they performed a punch biopsy.There's scar tissue and they had to do biopsy to make sure it was clean all the way through.Good luck to you...it does get better.

    alyse

    Hey, it's great to see you back here!  I hope all is going well!  I'm so glad to hear you are 5 1/2 years NED and I will be too on March 9th!  How is your hip?  I hope you are no longer having any issues since the replacement and that you are still playing golf.  I am still running, but haven't done a race since October.  My left knee barks really loud sometimes and I should probably quit running, but I won't until I just can't do it at all--yes, I am quite stubborn!  The good news is I turned 60 in October, so now I'm into the next age group, so there will be even less competition in the next race!  LOL!  I know you are as beautiful as your pic shows and your smile says it all--NED and loving life!  Take care, twin sis!

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #9
    mp327 said:

    alyse

    Hey, it's great to see you back here!  I hope all is going well!  I'm so glad to hear you are 5 1/2 years NED and I will be too on March 9th!  How is your hip?  I hope you are no longer having any issues since the replacement and that you are still playing golf.  I am still running, but haven't done a race since October.  My left knee barks really loud sometimes and I should probably quit running, but I won't until I just can't do it at all--yes, I am quite stubborn!  The good news is I turned 60 in October, so now I'm into the next age group, so there will be even less competition in the next race!  LOL!  I know you are as beautiful as your pic shows and your smile says it all--NED and loving life!  Take care, twin sis!

    mp327

    Hi Martha, I sent Alyse a message with some questions about the punch biopsy but not sure when she'll be back, I know you are on another board so I was wondering if you come across anyone who has had one if you could find out what the differences are ? thanks :)

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #10
    qv62 said:

    mp327

    Hi Martha, I sent Alyse a message with some questions about the punch biopsy but not sure when she'll be back, I know you are on another board so I was wondering if you come across anyone who has had one if you could find out what the differences are ? thanks :)

    qv62

    I'm sorry, but I don't recall anyone ever posting in length about having one of these, except to say that that was the procedure--no details.  As I said before, I'm pretty sure this is a different procedure than how biopsy tissue is obtained through a colonoscopy.  If I can find out any info for you, I'll post it.  Have you googled it?  I'm sure there is info out there.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #11
    mp327 said:

    qv62

    I'm sorry, but I don't recall anyone ever posting in length about having one of these, except to say that that was the procedure--no details.  As I said before, I'm pretty sure this is a different procedure than how biopsy tissue is obtained through a colonoscopy.  If I can find out any info for you, I'll post it.  Have you googled it?  I'm sure there is info out there.

    mp327

    Thanks Martha, yes I googled it last week and it was as they explained it to me, it goes down further to get deeper tissue, I was also told it could effect my functioning which clearly rattles me since I went through 3 months of physical therapy to get that back to where I am now, what I didn't ask and couldn't find ggogling is the recovery of the punch vs a regular anal biopsy. I could call the office and ask but wanted to get it from someone who's been through it, the unsugarcoated version lol

  • nicotianna
    nicotianna Member Posts: 209
    #12
    qv62 said:

    mp327

    Thanks Martha, yes I googled it last week and it was as they explained it to me, it goes down further to get deeper tissue, I was also told it could effect my functioning which clearly rattles me since I went through 3 months of physical therapy to get that back to where I am now, what I didn't ask and couldn't find ggogling is the recovery of the punch vs a regular anal biopsy. I could call the office and ask but wanted to get it from someone who's been through it, the unsugarcoated version lol

    punch biopsy

    I had 2 punch biopsies of the perineum 1/8/14.  I am s/p XRT & chemo for IIIb anal ca completed 9/26/13.  It was done while I was under spinal anesthesia.  I also had 2 inguinal nodes biopsied at that time.  My post-op course was uneventful (no bleeding or pain) with the exception of a spinal headache which disappeared 10 days post-op.  Apparently, the surgeon did not see anything in the anus to biopsy.  Will get details at app't next wk.  The biopsies were negative :)

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #13
    nicotianna said:

    punch biopsy

    I had 2 punch biopsies of the perineum 1/8/14.  I am s/p XRT & chemo for IIIb anal ca completed 9/26/13.  It was done while I was under spinal anesthesia.  I also had 2 inguinal nodes biopsied at that time.  My post-op course was uneventful (no bleeding or pain) with the exception of a spinal headache which disappeared 10 days post-op.  Apparently, the surgeon did not see anything in the anus to biopsy.  Will get details at app't next wk.  The biopsies were negative :)

    nicotianna

    Thank you for the info, very glad to hear your biopsies were negative, hope you are feeling well. I am scheduled for th OR tomorrow morning, a bit nervous of course and hoping to get some sleep tonight

  • Marynb
    Marynb Member Posts: 1,118
    #14
    qv62 said:

    nicotianna

    Thank you for the info, very glad to hear your biopsies were negative, hope you are feeling well. I am scheduled for th OR tomorrow morning, a bit nervous of course and hoping to get some sleep tonight

    Qv
    Sleep well, my friend. Prayers, prayers, and more prayers are being said for you tonight and tomorrow!
  • nicotianna
    nicotianna Member Posts: 209
    #15
    qv62 said:

    nicotianna

    Thank you for the info, very glad to hear your biopsies were negative, hope you are feeling well. I am scheduled for th OR tomorrow morning, a bit nervous of course and hoping to get some sleep tonight

    qv62

    Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow!  I am doing great!Smile2014-02-05

    nicotianna

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #16
    nicotianna said:

    qv62

    Best wishes for your surgery tomorrow!  I am doing great!Smile2014-02-05

    nicotianna

    QV

    Will be thinking of you. Hope it all goes well.

    Kind regards

    Liz x

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434 Member
    #17
    pializ said:

    QV

    Will be thinking of you. Hope it all goes well.

    Kind regards

    Liz x

    Thank you all

    Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes, all went well yesterday, the surgeon was able to remove the area of growth causing my pain, now I just need to wait on the biopsy results, if non-invasive another surgery in 4-6 weeks if invasive treatment, in the meantime they have given me a 12 hour pain med 2x a day, a nerve ending pain med 3x a day, oxy as needed and silvedine to apply so I am much more comfortale then I have been, thanks again I wil keep you posted

  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #18
    qv62 said:

    Thank you all

    Thank you all for the prayers and well wishes, all went well yesterday, the surgeon was able to remove the area of growth causing my pain, now I just need to wait on the biopsy results, if non-invasive another surgery in 4-6 weeks if invasive treatment, in the meantime they have given me a 12 hour pain med 2x a day, a nerve ending pain med 3x a day, oxy as needed and silvedine to apply so I am much more comfortale then I have been, thanks again I wil keep you posted

    It is good to hear from you

    It sounds like you were in good hands. I am so glad they could remove the part that was causing the pain.

    I am also glad they have you on a meaningful pain management regimen. This has been such a trying time for you. We are from 1-4 on this board, but your story is one of the most challenging I've heard due to so much pain and uncertainty about treatment and the numerous biopsies you've undergone.

    Thanks for updating us.

    Love,

    Sandy

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