Cancer recurrence after a colostomy???

Hi,

As mentioned, I too am curious as to what type of symptoms you are having.

I had a colostomy as part of my treatment for anal cancer 4 years ago. There are a variety of ways to perform colostomy surgery and in some cases (such as mine) the rectum and anus are left intact but the colon is re-routed to the opening (stoma) making reversal if an option, a bit easier. Since mine never was reversed I asked the same question and my doctor said yes it was possible to have a recurrance in the same area at which time they would consider removal of anus and rectum (since not really being used anyhow.)

So, I'm not sure for you and it may depend on the type of ostomy you have. Keep in mind that even after an ostomy it is not uncommon to have some feelings of pressure or fullness in the rectal area and it is sometimes a mucus plug that needs to pass.

All that being said, I have recently had a recurrance of the anal cancer but in my lung. I have had surgery to remove the mass and will be starting chemo on Tuesday the 3rd of March.

I will pray that whatever your symptoms are, they are related to conditions that are easily treated and wish you well as you move forward.

katheryn

KathyMart said:

to Martha and Katheryn

My colostomy is not reversible. The symptoms I am having is in the anal area. there is pain when I sit all the time just like before when I actually thought " hmmm do I have a hemmoriod?" "Is this what one feels like only to be told I had anal cancer. I am feeling the pain all the time now. It has been going on for a few weeks. I have not felt anything all of a sudden this pain just came on. The question is there is nothing there... they removed everything and sewed me up...  Should I be concerned could it be possible or should I keep telling myself I will just give it another day?

 

Thanks

Hi, this is a copy of a post from another member Helen321 posted last spring.....you may want to try to contact her to discuss this issue: (She also has an ostomy)

I have learned that it is better to error on the side of caution and would persist in getting an answer from my doctor rather than wait too long. My guess is that it is not a recurrance, but better safe than sorry. Please keep us posted on this issue.

katheryn 

Hi Kathy, as I mentioned in the PM, I went through the same thing, same thoughts, same pain.  It turned out that it was just the surgery site in the stages of healing.  The way I remedied the pain was to stop sitting for long periods of time.  I stood whenever at my desk (I did a lot!!! of standing in the last year), I sat only on soft surfaces and I laid on my side at every opportunity presented.  It was a bit of a painful/annoying year but I am happy to report that one year later (two years out from surgery), I am completely pain free.  I am still not able to sit on hard surfaces at all and doubt that I ever will be and I don't sit for long periods of time.   If I do, the pain starts so I just don't do it. My doctor said the likelihood of the cancer coming back is 7% and that it would usually show up somewhere else in the body as the result of a rogue cell that was already present at surgery but too small to see at the time (so it wouldn't actually be a recurrence), other than that, once the area is removed, it's not likely.  

My oncologist also mentioned that if you having problems with skin pulling when sitting, there are creams that can help and you can speak to your surgeon about it.

That being said, I have had a scan that was clean.  When it doubt, ease your mind with a scan.