Is this possible?

Bleeding with BM's is quite common after this treatment and does not indicate a return of your cancer.  As my radiation oncologist expained it to me, the radiation thins the lining of the intestines, causing the blood vessels to be closer to the surface, and when stool passes by, bleeding can easily occur.  I hae had this happen many times in the 7 1/2 years since my treatment was done.  Just keep an eye on it and if the amount of blood increases, just inform your doctor and see if he/she thinks an exam is warranted.  However, I think this is most likely just normal post-treatment effects.

Martha

I had the same thing happen to me last week.  I called my doctor.  He said it's probably nothing but I should have a scope to the lower colon just to be on the safe side.  I have an appt. next week for that.  I know it's probably nothing, but not going to assume anything.

I am 3 years post treatment and still have the same issue off and on.  I would say several times a month,  I have some blood on the toilet paper and some soreness or discomfort in a small area (Aquaphor or Vitamin E oil usually relieves this for me).  It is scary since this is similar to what brought about my diagnosis.  For me, I've decided not to worry unless it lasts more than a week.

lab guy said:

misery loves company

Thanks everybody for your responses, glad to hear I am not alone. Steve

As for the soreness, it's most likely skin irritation.  As you know, the skin takes a real hit from the treatment and is very friable.  Even after all these years, if I have a bout with diarrhea, my skin becomes quite sensitive and irritated.

Martha

Testimony said:

Is this possible

I was diagnosed with 2nd stage colorectal cancer December 2015. An aggressive approach by Cancer staff led to 9 weeks of chemby orally for 7 days and radiation for 5 days a week for 9 weeks. Cancer was invading the muscle but never broke the wall . No spreading , no symptoms , I feel good, is surgery rneccessa restart? Is colostomies really necessary? What are chances if you don t do the surgery? Can somebody please share with me?

thank you

Please check out this website, which may give you a better idea of survival rates for anal cancer.   

http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/anus.html

If your tumor was localized with no spread to lymph nodes or other distant organs (i.e. liver, lungs), then you should not need surgery or colostomy if there is no evidence of recurrence or metastases, as per your regular follow-up exam results.

I hope this helps to answer your questions.

Martha

mp327 said:

lab guy

Bleeding with BM's is quite common after this treatment and does not indicate a return of your cancer.  As my radiation oncologist expained it to me, the radiation thins the lining of the intestines, causing the blood vessels to be closer to the surface, and when stool passes by, bleeding can easily occur.  I hae had this happen many times in the 7 1/2 years since my treatment was done.  Just keep an eye on it and if the amount of blood increases, just inform your doctor and see if he/she thinks an exam is warranted.  However, I think this is most likely just normal post-treatment effects.

Martha

This bleeding with BM's has driven me nuts since I had radiation.  Also, 4 years post radiation ... I lift heavy weights at the gym, once I bled rectally.  My rectal surgeon found a small hole at the site of the previous radiation.  After an exploratory colonoscopy, no more rectal bleeding.  Today I walked 45 minutes to find a little bit of blood by the urethra area. Could this be thinning caused by radiation?  I started having a bit of blood show up on urine tests, too.  I'm baffled by this, myself.  I did end up in the hospital the last week of radiation.

I have stage III a squamous cell carcinoma. I was wondering what side effects people have experienced from doing IMRT (radiation)? I am looking into doing proton therapy as well, but there is not a lot of evidence yet as to success from it. I welcome thoughts and experiences.