CT scan and MRI inconclusive: Perirectal mass?

Not a doctor, so take with a grain or shaker full of salt.

Extremely simplified, it means you have some unusual observations found on the scan that need more expertise than he has, thus the referral to a GI doctor. From here, the GI doctor will likely do some sort of lighted visual examination of the area - possibly a colonoscopy, but more likely a sigmoidoscopy (a procedure to examine the insides of the rectum and the anus) or an anoscopy (a visual inspection of the anus) - depending of location and size of the unusual areas. In all these procedures, they may take a sample or several of the unusual tissue and have it analyzed for cancer (biopsy).

BTW - I'm sorry to bring up the c-word because the first reaction is fear.
It's too early to worry/panic about whether this is cancer. Other (non-cancerous) things can cause this, so be patient - wait for the GI doc and test results.

Hope this helps

rjjacobsen,

Thank you! I sit at a desk all day and have too much time on my hands so i get on the internet and do research. It was also found that I have a nodule on my adrenal gland, so I need to see and endocrinologist in July as well. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer and my grandmother to breast cancer. So I let things get to my head. I do appreciate your words of encouragement!

When I had my work-up, the scans found numerous (like 18) kidney cysts, two liver cysts, two thyroid nodules and 6 small spots in the lungs which were too small to biopsy or analyze.

Very scary at first, but none of them changed a bit over three years of scans, thus they aren't likely anything malignant, but we still do regular scans at 6 month intervals to make sure they remain that way.

Also found a small hernia and spinal stenosis.

You find out all sorts of strange things when you start getting scanned - most of which aren't a big deal.

I'm glad yours are not cancerous! Thank you for the encouragement.

I was able to see my Gastroentologist yesterday. Based on the CT scan he has scheduled me for a colonoscopy and pelvic MRI. I'm not getting the colonoscopy until 29 Jul. Would they have gotten me in sooner if they suspect cancer or do they not see any urgency of 4-5 week delay? He did say he would take biopsies if he sees anything.

I don't know. I'd think you'd have to ask them what their thinking is. They must have seen something important, but not urgent on the scan that is significant to do the colonoscopy and the MRI.

My situation was very different, but there was significant time between the trigger to do a colonoscopy and getting it done.

I had a positive Cologuard test after 3 years of various bowel problems thought to be IBD and/or diverticulitis. It took approximately 3 months to get a colonoscopy scheduled after the Cologuard result - however, this was in late 2020 when COVID had severely messed up the medical system and when the first of the vaxes (Pfizer MRNA) had only limited availability.

I also got my CT scans after my colonoscopy samples' biopsies found cancer which was rated as Stage 3C. Once my provider referred me to Mayo, things went rather quickly. Again, I don't know how COVID impacted my getting treated.

Sorry for the non-definitive answer.

Has anyone had a perirectal mass that was having a mass effect on the rectum? Was it cancer or something else?

I appreciate your replies. I'm just not one to sit around and wait lol. I have asked nurse if they have a cancellation for a colonoscopy, I'll take that appt and I also had radiology put me on a cancellation list for the MRI. Two weeks isn't so bad to wait for the MRI, I just wish the colonoscopy was sooner. I'm leaving 1 Aug to visit my son in Alaska, and if it happens that I do have cancer, I would have liked to discuss it in person with him instead of over the phone. I'm my worse problem, i'm constantly researching on the computer here at work about colorectal cancer. I want to make sure I'm informed.

Again, I appreciate you taking time out of your day to answer my questions. v/r, Mandy

My obstructing tumor was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I have ulcerative colitis so get scoped every year. I didn’t have surgery for almost four weeks after the biopsy. Colon cancers are slow growing. Try and ease your mind, and try not to over stress. It’s hard, but in the end, you don’t change the outcome. Enjoy your time with your son

Thank you. I appreciate your response, and you're right I shouldn't be stressing until I get a confirmed diagnosis. My gastroenterologist didn't even ask me if I had any symptoms. Just came in after reviewing my CT scan and said we need to schedule a colonoscopy and pelvic MRI and pushed on my abdomin to see if i had pain any where.