am I getting the correct treatment???

oncology12345 said:

Do you mind if I ask - you

Do you mind if I ask - you were in situ for 5 years, was this perianal like me or in the anal canal??

I had numerous biopsies with the growths being on the sphincter, I am not sure of what the procedure for anal mapping is exactly but I had a major surgery taking out lots of growth area and having a plastic surgeon in the OR with the colo-rectal doctor to perform skin graghing over the removed areas. The recovery was long and painful with a week long stay in the hospital and not being allowed to sit for six weeks per doctors orders. I don't know if this is similar but if so I can fill you in more on the procedure.

oncology12345 said:

my growth was just near anal

my growth was just near anal opening so we are a bit alike I guess. My surgery was very painful too however I could sit   To look there now it looks perfectly normal to me however I do have a little itch lately and I'm worried about it. I'mnot sure what to do but I'm not feeling safe. When you said you were sometimes seen sooner by your doctor due to symptoms what did you mean? What kind of symptoms had you that necessitated going sooner?

Also my doctor did mention plastics to me when he mentioned the biopsies, I'd like to know more about this and why it was done exactly. Thanks very much

The "non sitting" recovery was after the plastics. I think the just of doing that was to go deeper into the tissue since I had so many recurrences and they weren't getting clear margins. I guess they thought this would get to the root of the problem so to speak. They also took extra biopsies at that time so this may be what your doctor is talking about. I would ask them about the recovery and we can compare notes to see if it is the same procedure. I had high hopes afterwards that this would be the end of all the growths however that was in 2011 and I had many more OR biopsies after that as well as treatment in 2014 (my first biopsy was 2009). What I meant about being seen sooner is that after a good scope the colo-rectal doctor would say "ok see you in three months" before three months were up I was calling and asking to be seen due to itching, bleeding, discomfort, seeing ridges in my stool etc.. They would take me in earlier than my scheduled appointment, do a scope, not like what they saw, do a biopsy in the OR and remove the growth. This happened to me a few times so I would always know when something wasn't quite right. I hope the info helps, I'd be happy to answer whatever else I can, I do think though that if you are having itching you should call and get it checked out.

oncology12345 said:

Thanks so much for your

Thanks so much for your reply, it really helps. You're right I do need to be seen sooner and I'm going to phone and try and make that happen. My doctor is a colo-rectal surgeon and I hope he's the right person to be dealing with this! 

I'm curious where are you at now in regards to your cancer ? bowel function - if you don't mind me asking?

So glad to hear you are making an appointment, I certainly don't want to alarm you as it could just be inflamation or a fissure, however best to get it checked out. I always knew when I had a new growth and my doctor was amazed at my detection. As for the doctor is he ia colo-rectal surgical oncologist or a colo-rectal surgeon ? My first 2 years I saw a colo-rectal surgeon and since 2009 I have been with a colo-rectal surgical oncologist, I finished treatment 8 and a half months ago and I'm just getting my energy back, I've been working since September. As for the bathroom issues, no worries on asking, that's what we are all here for to pass on info. Prior to treatment I avereraged 3-4 movements now it's about 5-6 however I had many OR biopsies on my sphichter as well as the surgeries. I hope you get an appointment without any trouble.