possible recurrence

suzynanny
suzynanny Member Posts: 38 Member
edited February 2016 in Anal Cancer #1

Hello I had anal cancer in 2011 and did the chemo/radiation treatment. Everything has been ok except for the incontinence and leakage I have permantly. My doctor always told me he had never seen it come back after three years. Anyways I just had my scope done yesteday and she the new Dr (mine retired) :( thought she felt something so now I have to have surgery to do another biospy. I am praying it's just the spot where the original tumor was. My last ct scan was good. My question is how often does it come back after three years? In August it wil be five years since my treatments. Oh I forgot to add six months ago they scoped me and made me come back in six months instead of my yearly scope. But they didn't really say anything untill yesterday. Thanks sorry for rambling on.

Comments

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

    I'm a little confused about your post.  You say you had anal cancer in 2001, but then you said in August it will be five years since your treatment.  If I am reading this correctly, you had cancer in 2011, not 2001?  At any rate, this could be something as simple as scar tissue--I hope that is the case for you.  As for how often this cancer can return after 3 years, I do not know.  It is somewhat dependent upon the stage at initial diagnosis.  The lower the stage, the less chance of recurrence.  Five years is considered the time at which information on a particular patient is no longer factored into the statistics for survival rates.

    Please let us know when you are scheduled for the scope and biopsy.  Try not to worry, as you have that clean scan in your favor.

    Martha

  • pializ
    pializ Member Posts: 508 Member
    #3
    mp327 said:

    suzynanny

    I'm a little confused about your post.  You say you had anal cancer in 2001, but then you said in August it will be five years since your treatment.  If I am reading this correctly, you had cancer in 2011, not 2001?  At any rate, this could be something as simple as scar tissue--I hope that is the case for you.  As for how often this cancer can return after 3 years, I do not know.  It is somewhat dependent upon the stage at initial diagnosis.  The lower the stage, the less chance of recurrence.  Five years is considered the time at which information on a particular patient is no longer factored into the statistics for survival rates.

    Please let us know when you are scheduled for the scope and biopsy.  Try not to worry, as you have that clean scan in your favor.

    Martha

    Suzynanny

    it could simply be that because she is your new doctor, that she is just being thorough. Because of the very location of the original site, it's impossible to see without investigation.  What your previous doctor was familiar as being scar tissue, this doctor just might want to check it out for herself. 

    I had an issue because of this reason when they changed my follow up to 'mixed clinician' clinibc I.e. A colorectal surgeon and an oncologist, but neither previously involved in my care. I considered it to be poor practice. I am now followed up by my colorectal surgeon and have 'lost' the oncologist. I am 3 years out from treatment.

    please let us know how you get on. 

    Best wishes

    Liz

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    #4
    Suzynanny

    I was urged to stay with the same doctors (when there was one I was not crazy about) because they knew my case and body.  I hope that it is just a change in doctor and her not knowing what is "normal" for you that is cause for the additional testing. 

    Best wishes,

    Tracey

  • suzynanny
    suzynanny Member Posts: 38 Member
    #5
    mp327 said:

    suzynanny

    I'm a little confused about your post.  You say you had anal cancer in 2001, but then you said in August it will be five years since your treatment.  If I am reading this correctly, you had cancer in 2011, not 2001?  At any rate, this could be something as simple as scar tissue--I hope that is the case for you.  As for how often this cancer can return after 3 years, I do not know.  It is somewhat dependent upon the stage at initial diagnosis.  The lower the stage, the less chance of recurrence.  Five years is considered the time at which information on a particular patient is no longer factored into the statistics for survival rates.

    Please let us know when you are scheduled for the scope and biopsy.  Try not to worry, as you have that clean scan in your favor.

    Martha

    sorry I meant 2011.
     

    sorry I meant 2011.

     

Discussion Boards