New Here...PET SCAN Results

I think I saw you on another site and sent you a welcome message there, but I will do that here also.  I'm sorry, however, that you have a reason to be here.  I know this is a very scary time for you, but I hope the good folks here can help put you more at ease.  One thing in your favor is that the lymph node that lit up on the PET scan is one of those that is close to the tumor.  It is standard procedure to include those pelvic lymph nodes in the radiation field.  You already know that, as per the PET scan results, no distant lymph nodes or organs are involved, which is the best news.

I have been communicating with others diagnosed treated for anal cancer for over 8 years and many, like you, have had lymph node involvement.  I'm happy to tell you that of those I still hear from, they are thriving and doing well.  I would encourage you to learn as much as you can about the treatment you are about to have.  One good way to educate yourself is to register on the site for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network at www.NCCN.org.  The information there will answer a lot of your questions about staging, treatment and follow-up.  Also talk to your doctors about your radiation treatment and what the field of treatment includes.  I'm sure you will be reassured that the hot lymph node will be zapped.  Even though I had no lymph node involvement, my radiation field included the lymph nodes through the first part of treatment.  The radiation field was reduced two times throughout the 6 weeks.  So, even though my lymph nodes were clear, they still got some radiation.  

Keep in mind that anal cancer is highly treatable, even when there is lymph node involvement.  I am very encouraged that you will be just fine and that all of your cancer will be zapped.  Educate yourself, ask your doctors to explain everything to you, and don't hesitate to come here if you have further questions or concerns.  I wish you all the best.

Martha

I was node negative, but I think the nearby inguinal nodes were in the radiation field; I suspect that ,as Martha stated, that is standard.  Did you also have a CT scan as part of your work-up?  Often a CT scan is clearer.  I am also assuming (?) that you are working with a treatment team and there are several doctorscoordinating and planning your treatment. You should take your time (it has taken a long time for this tumour to develop enough to make itself known); you do not have to do everything yesterday!  Take the time to meet with your team and ask as many questions as you need to give yourself an understanding of this disease and the treatments being recommended.

Everyone on this site and on the blogforacure.org has  had basically the same treatment, and we have all gotten through it, with some variations in type and intensity of the side effects.  

By the way, where are you located?  Where are you planning to be treated? 

Please register on the site for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and print out the guidelines for treatment of anal cancer.  Become very familiar with them, take them with you to all appointments, and review them with all of your doctors so that you can be assured that they will be giving the right treatment to you.  I feel that they are pretty straightforward. 

Also, you really need to let your primary care doctor know all of this.  Sometimes the PC doctor can be very helpful in getting us connected with the right doctors.  Make sure all of the doctors involved in treating your cancer communicate all information to your PC doc.  Everyone involved in your case needs to know what's going on.

Martha