Newly diagnosed Anal cancer patient

tanda said:

Newly Diagnosed Anal Cancer Patient

 

Chemo and radiation both cause side effects, but not everyone gets the same side effects, or gets them to the same degree.  I didn't get mouth sores; however my chemo was Capeceitabine

Xeloda) which is 5FU in pill form; therefore I didn't have a fanny pack.  One day one, I did get an infusion of mitomycin and began the pills and radiation; I didn't get the one day of mitomycin the last week along with the Xeloda. (I'm not sure why)

For anal cance the chemo is a radiosensitizer that enhances the effect of the radiation.  The radiation is what is critical .

 

NCCN(National Comprehensive Cancer Network...an organization representling a group of  comprehensive cancer centers) and the Analcancerfoundation  has just issued an excellent booklet for patients .  ncccn.org is free, but you may have to create an account.   I am unable to attach a pdf of this booklet to my comment section.  I am 6 years out from treatment and wish this booklet had been available for patients when I was diagnosed.  It is comprehensive and contains the latest recommendations that oncologists follow in treating this cancer.  If you are unable to access this site, please let me know and I will find another way for you to access it.

   https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/anal-patient.pdf    

 

I had mouth sores. The mourthwash that everyone talks about was not covered by my insurance and would have cost > $100. I was stubborn and thought I could endure it. I recall trying to eat a hard taco and it felt like knives were cutting my mouth. Anyway.. I really had little of an appetite. It turnedout that the NP at my oncologist's office had samples of something that helped but meanwhile my daughter had picked up something at the drugstore that did help somewhat.  Don't hesitate  to reach out to your medical team and mention any problems. 

I recall being more concerned about the side effects of the radiation and I don't recall any real problems related to that (except for some itching especially at night).

Just keep your eye on the end result of the treatment.