Is this possible?

lab guy
lab guy Member Posts: 27

 I went to my surgeon six weeks ago, she scoped me and said everything looked good only scar tissue. This week I passed a small amount of blood during a bowel movent . Today I don't have pain but rather just a soreness. Could something happen that fast?

Comments

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    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

  • lab guy
    lab guy Member Posts: 27
    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

    Thanks

    As always, thank you but should I be concerned with the soreness? Steve

  • horsepad
    horsepad Member Posts: 146 Member
    I had the same thing happen

    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.

  • lab guy
    lab guy Member Posts: 27
    horsepad said:

    I had the same thing happen

    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.

    How far are you post

    How far are you post treatment?

  • TraceyUSA
    TraceyUSA Member Posts: 316
    Lab Guy

    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
    lab guy Member Posts: 27
    TraceyUSA said:

    Lab Guy

    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.

     

    misery loves company

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

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    lab guy said:

    misery loves company

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

    lab guy

    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
    Testimony Member Posts: 2
    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

  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    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

    Testimony

    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

  • Testimony
    Testimony Member Posts: 2
    mp327 said:

    Testimony

    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

    Is this possible

    Martha, 

    thank you so much for sharing.  I am confused and searching for answers and solutions, trying to understand. I went for a second opinion and both the diagnosis and treatment differ however both require surgery and with colostomy bag.   I am researching all options and at this point am against the surgery if not absolutely necessary or at least the colostomy bag procedure. I am glad to find this forum.    Thank you.

  • jbug2
    jbug2 Member Posts: 73
    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

    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.

  • qv62
    qv62 Member Posts: 434
    edited May 2016 #13
    lab guy

    I have had some on and off bleeding but did get concerned when I was having more "more days" than less. I had a scope and was reassured it was just radiation damage (treatment completed summer 2014) My doctor reccomended vitamin E 4oomg 3x a day. I am certainly not prescribing but suggesting you check with your physician if that is an option for you. It has really helped me. Wishing you wellness

  • dpdavis30
    dpdavis30 Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2016 #14
    Proton therapy for anal cancer

    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.