What to expect at one month follow up?

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Anne1986
Anne1986 Member Posts: 6
in Anal Cancer #1

Hi, my dad finished his 5 and a half week of chemo-radiotherapy on July 11th. Tommorrow is his first follow up appointment. The doctor advised it is still early for a PET/MRI scan and its still too early to tell how well my dad is doing in terms of tumor treatment. His tumor was more than 5cm at time of diagnosis and his sphincter muscles were also involved. My father has had a temporary stoma fitted and doctors said its most probable it will need to be permenant. We can still feel the tumor when we clean his wounds down there. Can anyone advise what to expect at the meeting and what relevant questions/issues to raise with the oncologist tommorrow?

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  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
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    Anne1986

    I cannot answer your question, but I do hope your dad gets favorable news on his follow-up today!

  • liberty67
    liberty67 Member Posts: 19
    edited August 2018 #3
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    Hi, from what I've learned,

    Hi, from what I've learned, the tumor can sometimes take up to 6 months to completely recede. This is just what I've heard and read. I can tell you that with my early follow ups, it was just talking to the radiologist and oncologist about how I was doing. For every question I asked regarding my GI issues, skin issues, etc, I was told that everyone is different, and to get some over the counter medication. Nothing really ever helped me aside from just time.

    I didn't have a stoma, but my main concerns became healing my skin, GI disorders, nerve and muscle disorders in the pelvic area, pain with bowel movements, sexual issues, and depression. They might not bring up all of these possibilities unless you bring up the subject to them. My care is much better now since I've moved it to another facility, but I do think it's not uncommon to not be told about all the potential affects of pelvic radiation. I hope all goes well today for your dad, good luck!!

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