1. < Colorectal Cancer

Radiation + Chemo (Mitomycin-Fluorouracil) for anal cancer: Anyone?

Posted by angelikab @angelikab, Nov 22 6:03pm

I have been diagnosed with anal cancer and start treatment this weekend. I will have 6 weeks of radiation therapy, 5 days a week, plus chemo therapy using Mitomycin and Fluorouracil. The Fluorouracil will be given via a PICC line for 4 days, then again 4 weeks later, again for 4 days. Has anyone had this treatment for anal cancer? If so, how were the side-effects? I've had the cancer side effects education session, so have a good idea of what to expect, but just wondering if anyone could share a 1st hand experience. Thanks in advance!

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angelikab | @angelikab | Dec 18 2:56pm
In reply to @boojigan "Yes, my treatment was very similar. Never want to repeat it 😖. Grade 4 mucositus (?)..." + (show)
@boojigan

Yes, my treatment was very similar. Never want to repeat it 😖. Grade 4 mucositus (?) in the mouth so swallowing medicine and water near impossible. Radiation burns with skinned blisters where underpants should be. Recovery was rapid a few weeks after finishing treatment. So: my advice? Be creative with dressings , use the creams for healing and topical pain relief. Accept all the help you can get. Australia is pretty good for these things, local Community Nurses are priceless. If you have a tough time, remember that there is an end date to it all.

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Did you experience any hair loss?

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2 replies
scwest | @scwest | 6 days ago

No one mentioned hair loss, but I did shed a lot of hair.
Did not lose it all at once. Did not start growing back until three or four months after treatment was over. At about the year mark,I had enough hair to cut into a short
style. My oncologist thought I lost it due to stress, more than the chemo. I’ve heard others also had hair loss.
Best of luck!

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yancy | @yancy | 6 days ago
In reply to @angelikab "A quick question: did you experience hair loss? I haven't lost my hair but it is..." + (show)
@angelikab

A quick question: did you experience hair loss? I haven't lost my hair but it is starting to shed more. My doctor said thinning is likely but complete hair loss is not. No one has mentioned hair loss as a side effect, so I was just wondering if you experienced any. Thanks!

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I’m in remission from anal cancer. About two months after ending treatment, my hair started to thin. Now, about four months after treatment, it seems to have stopped shedding.

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gbm | @gbm | 5 days ago
In reply to @angelikab "Did you experience any hair loss?" + (show)
@angelikab

Did you experience any hair loss?

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Yes to hair loss.

Male 80 sigmoid-rectal tumor. Five weeks (25 treatments) of radiation, two more weeks (10 treatments) of radiation for age-related prostrate cancer. Next, one month off, then six two week cycles of infusion chemo with attached pump for three days each cycle.

Along about the third chemo cycle, experienced extreme weakness/dizzeness - still not recovered. At fifth chemo cycle, my hair stopped growing and began shedding - thinning but not completly gone. Just finished sixth chemo cycle and am scheduled to go in for CT Scan and MRI to learn status of sigmoid-rectal tumor and prostate cancer in a month.

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1 reply
clare12351 | @clare12351 | 4 days ago
In reply to @gbm "Yes to hair loss. Male 80 sigmoid-rectal tumor. Five weeks (25 treatments) of radiation, two more..." + (show)
@gbm

Yes to hair loss.

Male 80 sigmoid-rectal tumor. Five weeks (25 treatments) of radiation, two more weeks (10 treatments) of radiation for age-related prostrate cancer. Next, one month off, then six two week cycles of infusion chemo with attached pump for three days each cycle.

Along about the third chemo cycle, experienced extreme weakness/dizzeness - still not recovered. At fifth chemo cycle, my hair stopped growing and began shedding - thinning but not completly gone. Just finished sixth chemo cycle and am scheduled to go in for CT Scan and MRI to learn status of sigmoid-rectal tumor and prostate cancer in a month.

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Wishing for best outcome for you! You have been brave to undertake all this. Will be thinking of you with all positive thoughts!

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kassray | @kassray | 3 days ago
In reply to @angelikab "Did you experience any hair loss?" + (show)
@angelikab

Did you experience any hair loss?

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My treatment was similar, I did have hair loss. I took the anti nausea meds regularly. This is my five year mark. Dr. said I am clear, consider in permanent remission (cured). I was 65 when diagnosed. Good luck

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