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Radiation + Chemo (Mitomycin-Fluorouracil) for anal cancer: Anyone?
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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Did you experience any hair loss?
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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1 ReactionI’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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2 ReactionsYes 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 ReactionWishing 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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1 ReactionMy 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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1 Reaction@angelikab How did your 6 weeks go? I start the same protocol next week.
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1 ReactionHello @lafoster and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that you are looking to connect with other members who have had treatment for anal cancer. As this is your first post, I look forward to learning more about your history with cancer.
For example, how long ago were you diagnosed? What other treatments have you had? Most importantly, how are you feeling?
God Afternoon ,
I had 8 chemo treatments and noticed after a few that my hair started to thin out a bit but total loss was not my case. Nothing I do about it anyways, so i just kept on going. I wish you the best of luck with your battle and remember to KEEP FIGHTING. I know its hard but you got this!!
@hopeful33250
I was diagnosed on May 27th 2025. The reality of it all didn't set in for some time after. I really had no time to think about any of it as my doctors moved very quickly. In June, I started my five treatments of radiation and completed that in a week, Then moved to chemo treatments every two weeks. I just finished my 8th and final round of chemo on Nov17th. I had a scan at the 4th treatment and it came back clear. Thank you Jesus! I had a long discussion with my family doctor and the Oncologist about continuing treatment to make sure that the cancer was gone for good. Now that my treatments are behind me i can start to live my life again. As the treatments went on the side effects increased and seemed to last a little longer each time.
The treatments were every other Monday and by Wed. Afternoon the pump was able to be removed. That is when the side effects really took over and i was super tired by Thursday morning and the neuropathy set in for a few days. All i could do was lay in bed with a heating pad on my feet and gloves on my hands. This usually subsided by Sunday of the treatment week and back to work I went. The week after treatment was normal in my mind, I felt better, had more energy, could eat and drink like a regular human again. Then it started over again on Monday. As the weeks clicked by, my side effects lasted longer and were worse than the prior weeks. Something about the F5U compounding in your system and it would take longer for the side effects to lessen. By treatment 8 I was ready for all of the pain to stop. I was tired of being sick and tired. It was a mental struggle to continue on for sure, but I looked at my two boys and did it for them. I really have a lot to be thankful for as this could have been much worse than it was. I am still not officially out of the woods so to speak, but i have a good feeling. Time will tell
Thanks for your time