Villous Adenoma found in my Anal Canal at the Verge and Mid-Rectum

I have not had this but the good news for you is that it's not cancer!! Adenomas are usually found higher up in GI tract and removed when people get their colonoscopy. Hopefully it is no big deal to get these taken out and you can be on your way. I would caution you to be sure and get regular colonoscopies since you have had the adenomas to catch any more that might develop. Good luck!

I finally joined after following this board for more than two years. They can surgically remove tumors from the anal canal. I did not have an adenoma - mine was carcinoma (squamous cell) - just over 2 cm in a polyp sort of shape like yours (only larger). My surgeon did a type of robotic surgery - transanal endoscopic microsurgical excision - if you want to look it up. She removed the tumor and some of the underlying tissue. As it turns out, she got it all! I will tell you that having a row of stitches in what they call a "high traffic area" was not something I care to revisit any time soon, but given the alternative.... It will be three years in August and other than a bit of a rectocele, I'm as good as new. It is my understanding that women who went through childbirth can sometimes develop a rectocele post-menopause without any assistance from anal surgery. My surgeon used a DaVinci system. I know how scarce information is regarding any cancer/precancer in the anal canal, so I hope my experience is helpful to you. I'd be happy to share any information that you think would be helpful. 

Deb

Welcome here, but sorry you have a reason to visit this site.  I read your post and had to do a little research before responding, as I am not familiar with villous adenoma or villotubular adenoma.  However, the term adenoma most often refers to a type of cancer found in the colon and rectum, but not in the anal canal.  Most cancers of the anal canal are of the squamous cell type.  However, although not nearly as common, some people are diagnosed with anal cancer that is adenocarcinoma, which is usually found in the glands that surround the anal canal and not in the anal canal itself.  It sounds like the adenomas in the rectum will be removed and no problem for you.  I'm glad you are being referred, however, to a specialist to determine the best course of treatment for the adenoma found in the anal verge.  As stated by others here, surgery can be done, but it doesn't come without risks, so ask lots of questions in that regard.  I do not know if chemo and radiation would be an option in your case, which is the standard treatment for squamous cell anal cancer.  I would definitely ask if this type of cancer would respond to that type of treatment.  The main risk with both surgery and chemoradiation would be loss of bowel control.  That said, most of us who have had chemoradiation do quite well post-treatment. 

I can assure you that the folks in this group will support you, so I hope you'll keep us posted on what the specialist at USC says and where you go from there.  Take your list of questions and don't leave there until they are answered and you feel comfortable with the decisions that are made.  I wish you all the very best and hope to follow you through the journey that lies ahead.  Take care.

Believe it or not, they do the transanal microsurgery as an outpatient procedure. I don't know whether you have other health issues, as that might impact whether they would release you home the same day. Like I said before, my tumor was squamous cell carcinoma, so I don't know how and if your pathology affects what the specialists recommend as treatment. I just remember how I "freaked out" too when I was in your shoes. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I've followed this board since my diagnosis and, even though I just joined, I've seen how much information and support they've given to everyone who's had the unfortunate circumstance to be here.

I'm glad to hear that your appointment today was reassuring. Makes sense to know exactly what you're dealing with before you decide how best to treat it. I hope you'll keep us posted.

Deb

I've been recently diagnosed with a polyp/tumor during a colonoscopy, too large to remove.  I've been through an ultra-sound, shows to be a probable T2, biopsy came back negative for cancer, as did the other tissue samples done during colonoscopy.  Next test is an MRI, to determine/verify staging.  Scary stuff.  My surgeon say no lymph nodes appear to be involved, all blood work normal, wants to remove the rectal tumor and resect, no chemo/radiation at this point.  Da Vinci robot machine is what he'll use to perform surgery.  This is where I'm at, and scared.

mp327 said:

JHH

Welcome to this site.  Sorry you have a reason to be here, but I'm happy to hear that your biopsy was negative.  I hope your surgery will go well and that it will mean no further type of treatment for you.  I wish you all the best.

Martha

I'm hoping the fact the biopsy was negative for cancer and normal bloodwork is a positive sign, the surgery sounds scary, but I'm anxious to have it done and get on to recovering.  I'm assuming the surgeon will also biopsy the tumor he removes to make sure there is still no cancer signs within the tumor?  

And thank you so much Martha.

JHH said:

Biopsy

I'm hoping the fact the biopsy was negative for cancer and normal bloodwork is a positive sign, the surgery sounds scary, but I'm anxious to have it done and get on to recovering.  I'm assuming the surgeon will also biopsy the tumor he removes to make sure there is still no cancer signs within the tumor?  

And thank you so much Martha.

Hi,

You are right, those are positive signs!!

It is hard to be calm and patient and I know the feeling of just wanting to move ahead and get to the recovery stage. I'd tell you to just relax, keep busy, occupy your mind in other ways etc. but, hey, I've been there and thats a whole lot easier said than done. So, just know we are here waiting with you and will watch for posts as to how your doing and praying all is well.

katheryn

I'm sorry to hear about your tumor/polyp. I was away the past week, otherwise I would have responded sooner. I know how scary the prospect of your proposed surgery sounds. I had a tumor/polyp removed from the anal canal via the DaVinci three years ago. Your surgical site will be a little higher up, but I would think that the surgery itself would be similar and some the after effects would be as well. Mine was done under general anesthesia as an outpatient procedure and, for me the first week or so was the roughest part. After that, each day saw improvement. The entire polyp/tumor was sent to pathology to be analyzed. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions about my own experience with this surgery if you think it would help. I wish you the best and please keep us posted.