Information on Research to Improve Anal Cancer Treatment

Thanks for posting, its a good feeling to know research is always in the works whether in prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.

I've read info before about studies on artificial sphincters and wondered after several years post and 55yrs old, along with the fact that my colostomy is very manageable, if I may take a chance on that surgery if offered.  I just don't know what I'd do ????????  Apparently the idea is that you control a small pump (don't remember if it is external or implanted in your pelvis) that basically opens the sphincter in your anus as you learn to feel when it is full.  Sound so simple.......but who knows??

Katheryn

Heelo;   The tratment of the anal cancer stade 3 is the radiochimiotherapy. The secondary effects of the radiotherapy are anal burns at about the third week of treatment and then an authoritariandesire to go to the toilet with diarrhea. Variable abdominal pains according to the  people. The chimiotherapy is compulsory in the avanced stages of the disease. Good day has you.

RRJ said:

Hey All

Just diagnosed with stage 3 anal.  Caught it early but it seems aggressive.  Doctors are all over me to do the chemo-radiation, but I am just leaning toward radiation.  A lot of the posts here speak to the broad side-effects of treatment, but I think they are speaking to chemo-radiation and not just radiation alone.  Is or has anyone decided to forego the chemo and just do radiation?  I have advanced HIV as well so I am too scared to do chemo.  I start radiation next week.  Are there any souls out there also on just radiation who can speak to those specific side-effects?  Thanks to all.

 

Hi, welcome to our group yet so sorry for the need. I know you are searching for others who have opted for only radiation, maybe someone else will speak to that.  I was dx with Stage 3b a bit over 3yrs ago.  The standard treatment is chemo/radiation and in my case at 3b with lymph node involvement had surgery as well.  I undersatnd your fear as you are also dealing with issues associated with your HIV I'm sure, and I can't speak to how treatment for anal cancer would conflict.  I'm wondering if surgery would be an option?

I am doing great today, just dealing with long term yet managable side effects.  Please keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Katheryn

RRJ said:

Hey All

Just diagnosed with stage 3 anal.  Caught it early but it seems aggressive.  Doctors are all over me to do the chemo-radiation, but I am just leaning toward radiation.  A lot of the posts here speak to the broad side-effects of treatment, but I think they are speaking to chemo-radiation and not just radiation alone.  Is or has anyone decided to forego the chemo and just do radiation?  I have advanced HIV as well so I am too scared to do chemo.  I start radiation next week.  Are there any souls out there also on just radiation who can speak to those specific side-effects?  Thanks to all.

 

Hi - I am sorry to learn of your stage III AC.  Do you have involvement of any nodes?  Stage III is not considered early.  Re-consider having the usual protocol of chemo & XRT.  This protocol has been quite successful for many years.

Nic 

RRJ said:

Hey All

Just diagnosed with stage 3 anal.  Caught it early but it seems aggressive.  Doctors are all over me to do the chemo-radiation, but I am just leaning toward radiation.  A lot of the posts here speak to the broad side-effects of treatment, but I think they are speaking to chemo-radiation and not just radiation alone.  Is or has anyone decided to forego the chemo and just do radiation?  I have advanced HIV as well so I am too scared to do chemo.  I start radiation next week.  Are there any souls out there also on just radiation who can speak to those specific side-effects?  Thanks to all.

 

I am have just gone through chemo and radiation treatment, my last treatment day was July 22 2014. I have lived with aids for 31 years. My t4 count going in was 616 it was taken again several weeks ago and down to 210. My infectious disease doctor is very positive that it will come back up. He also told me that survival rate is still very high for people with aids. They usually do chemo the first week that you start radiation and the 5th week, they had to do my last chemo treatment on the last week of radiation for me because my counts were to low. I have the hpv virous and have had 2 partial vulvectomies prior to the anal cancer diagnosis. I hope this helps you. I wish you all the best and god bless you!