Anal abscess and fistula -- what next?

ACW189
ACW189 Member Posts: 24
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
For all those of you out there who've had colorectal or anal cancer, I completed my treatment for anal canal cancer in May 09 (surgery/rad/chemo-5FUwithMit). I've overcome fatigue (for the most part) and muscle weakness in my legs (PT helped). Now I've been treated twice for an anal abscess (the surgeon didn't get it all during the first "slice"). I have a wound that doesn't look too nice and after 2 weeks (from second lancing procedure)I am still draining.
He now suspects I might have a fistula and is waiting until the swelling subsides to investigate further. Help? Anyone have surgery for fistulas? I'm terribly afraid of long term affects on the sphincter. Is this the result of surgery or radiation or both? I've been doing a little research but would love to hear your thoughts and experiences (both good and bad...).

Comments

  • snommintj
    snommintj Member Posts: 601
    #2
    No idea
    Sorry, I have no idea what is causing your abscess. I do know that they are very difficult to get rid of and yours is in the worst place possible. I had one on my liver for 5 months and almost didn't survive it. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery, I wish I could be technically more helpful but I can't.
  • DennisR
    DennisR Member Posts: 148
    #3
    I had a fistula form after
    I had a fistula form after my last surgery, among a few other infections. The Surgeon put a drain tube in and a bag I had to change out every day for a couple of months. It seemed like it took forever to heal and have the tube removed, but it did, and I haven't had any problems since. I guess the fistula forms where there are sutures normally and the bacterias cause the incision not to heal up, I don't think you have to worry too much about it, they're quite common when surgeries are performed in that area of the colon.
    DennisR

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