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Anyone else have Anal cancer: What treatments did you have?

Posted by gabyivonne17 @gabyivonne17, Apr 4 10:15am

Anyone had anal cancer? And what treatment?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

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cvestor | @cvestor | Oct 2 8:41am

don't feel bad as you will get thru it I counted the treatments but in the beginning of my "trip" my second opinion doctor gave me a choice of 5-6 hours of surgery with no certain I would make it off the surgery table or go die, Nice choices I said no way hosay to her. Sent my stuff to mayos and 2 years later NO surgery still alive and cancer free so far of 9 months Stick to you constitution you will get better 2 years on my end with check ups every 3 months

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helhilton | @helhilton | Oct 3 11:10am

I’ve had 27 treatments of chemo and radiation and I’m cancer free but the after of the treatments is on going with diarrhea and lost of muscle control. Talk to your doctor about all the after effects

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samclembeau | @samclembeau | Oct 4 12:35am
In reply to @vivithepurselady "Omg! You mean after radiation it still messed up your sphincter? Oh Lord! This is why..." + (show)
Profile picture for vivithepurselady @vivithepurselady

Omg! You mean after radiation it still messed up your sphincter? Oh Lord! This is why I opted for the radiation and chemo pills because the surgery could have cut the muscle in my anus. I pray my treatments did not damage my sphincter…. Today has been awful with pain back there, I’ve done several sitz baths they are comforting. One more treatment tomorrow I’m done and sb on my way to healing! It’s been a journey. Glad you are doing ok now. Hope I wb saying the same soon!

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@vivithepurselady Don't worry. Though there will be some damage to your sphincter muscle, it is not as bad as if they cut the muscle. I only have problems if I have diarrhea. many people cannot control their bowels if they have diarrhea (even those who have never had radiation)so .....anyway to be on the safe side I wear a pad every day and night, though most of the time it is not necessary. You just never know. You will lose some, but not all, control. When you go back to having solid feces, all will seem normal again. Keep the faith!

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jofree | @jofree | Oct 5 2:57pm
In reply to @tric "Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33..." + (show)
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Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33 rounds of radiation and took chemo pills for 30 days of radiation treatment, also I had 1 injection of purple “Barney” on the first day of starting radiation.
I knew something was wrong back in 2020. My Gastrointestinal Doctor did a colonoscopy and said there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, I had an internal hemorrhoid. He said he’d see me in 10 years… In 2023 my body was either constipated or I had diarrhea. The constipation ended up causing a rectocele from straining. I had surgery for the rectocele and within 4 months I knew something was really off. The diarrhea was worse and when I had bowel movements they were getting really thin. Then I felt the bump.
I tried going to my gastro doctor just for them to tell me to go to the hospital. The hospital misdiagnosed the CAT scan and told me to just see my primary doctor. My primary doctor sent me for a MRI and I finally found out what was going on, I told my primary to just send everything to the Mayo. I am so thankful for the Mayo. They set me up with a wonderful team.
It’s been 8 months post treatments.
I’m tired all the time and have to wear a diaper whenever I go out.
I’ve had to cut out certain foods (that send me straight to the bathroom). I’m managing and grateful this was caught before it hit stage 4.

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@tric
Understood: I was diagnosed with colon cancer in October 0f 1999. The cancer had spread throughout my colon and my entire anus and portions of my large colon were removed entirely. I received 6 weeks of radiation and 6 weeks of Chemotherapy which resulted in a colectomy, colostomy. The cancer has never returned and I can still ride my bike about 100 or so miles twice a week. Intimacy with my lovely wife has evolved to a much greater personal relationship and a complete level of emotional happiness and security far beyond our expectations. Best to you and be patient . Joseph

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hopenjoy2024 | @hopenjoy2024 | Oct 7 9:17am
In reply to @tric "Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33..." + (show)
Profile picture for tric @tric

Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33 rounds of radiation and took chemo pills for 30 days of radiation treatment, also I had 1 injection of purple “Barney” on the first day of starting radiation.
I knew something was wrong back in 2020. My Gastrointestinal Doctor did a colonoscopy and said there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, I had an internal hemorrhoid. He said he’d see me in 10 years… In 2023 my body was either constipated or I had diarrhea. The constipation ended up causing a rectocele from straining. I had surgery for the rectocele and within 4 months I knew something was really off. The diarrhea was worse and when I had bowel movements they were getting really thin. Then I felt the bump.
I tried going to my gastro doctor just for them to tell me to go to the hospital. The hospital misdiagnosed the CAT scan and told me to just see my primary doctor. My primary doctor sent me for a MRI and I finally found out what was going on, I told my primary to just send everything to the Mayo. I am so thankful for the Mayo. They set me up with a wonderful team.
It’s been 8 months post treatments.
I’m tired all the time and have to wear a diaper whenever I go out.
I’ve had to cut out certain foods (that send me straight to the bathroom). I’m managing and grateful this was caught before it hit stage 4.

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@tric Thank you for sharing! Although your journey was difficult, I am glad you are doing well.❤️

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helhilton | @helhilton | Oct 8 12:14pm

I had 27 treatments of radiation and chemo by pill. With medical issues from the radiation but I’m cancer free right now
With God blessing

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 14 4:04pm
In reply to @tric "Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33..." + (show)
Profile picture for tric @tric

Hi, I was diagnosed with stage 3 anal cancer in Nov. 2024. I went through 33 rounds of radiation and took chemo pills for 30 days of radiation treatment, also I had 1 injection of purple “Barney” on the first day of starting radiation.
I knew something was wrong back in 2020. My Gastrointestinal Doctor did a colonoscopy and said there was absolutely nothing wrong with me, I had an internal hemorrhoid. He said he’d see me in 10 years… In 2023 my body was either constipated or I had diarrhea. The constipation ended up causing a rectocele from straining. I had surgery for the rectocele and within 4 months I knew something was really off. The diarrhea was worse and when I had bowel movements they were getting really thin. Then I felt the bump.
I tried going to my gastro doctor just for them to tell me to go to the hospital. The hospital misdiagnosed the CAT scan and told me to just see my primary doctor. My primary doctor sent me for a MRI and I finally found out what was going on, I told my primary to just send everything to the Mayo. I am so thankful for the Mayo. They set me up with a wonderful team.
It’s been 8 months post treatments.
I’m tired all the time and have to wear a diaper whenever I go out.
I’ve had to cut out certain foods (that send me straight to the bathroom). I’m managing and grateful this was caught before it hit stage 4.

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Hello @tric and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm so glad that you posted about your excellent care at Mayo Clinic. You were definitely proactive in finding the correct diagnosis and then finding the best hospital team to address your problem.

All digestive tract surgeries require adjustments to eating and daily activities, and I applaud your understanding and ability to make the necessary changes.

I want to invite you to a discussion group called "Eating After Digestive Tract Surgery." Here is the link to that discussion. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-i-eat-after-digestive-tract-surgery/

Here you will meet others who have had surgery for anal cancer such as @jimdiehl. I look forward to your continued posting on this subject.

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ellyns | @ellyns | Oct 15 1:01pm

I was diagnosed with stage 2, no Mets but lymph node involvement, in July 2023. Had standard chemoradiation for 6 weeks and was cancer free for two years until September when a very small lesion appeared. So small the MRI did not reveal it but the surgeon felt it, ordered a PET scan, and the area lit up. So now I’m scheduled for a colostomy. I’ve had no serious issues for the past two years and my life was normal in every respect. This is certainly a disappointment and the decision and waiting is quite stressful.

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2 replies
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jimdiehl | @jimdiehl | Oct 15 6:14pm

Does having to go straight to the bathroom (with diarrhea) regularly occur within a certain period of time (say 2,4, or 6 hours) after eating? If so try fasting from solid food for a period of time before you will need to avoid the bathroom urge and take liquids instead. That practice made a difference for me.

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jofree | @jofree | Oct 15 7:02pm
In reply to @ellyns "I was diagnosed with stage 2, no Mets but lymph node involvement, in July 2023. Had..." + (show)
Profile picture for ellyns @ellyns

I was diagnosed with stage 2, no Mets but lymph node involvement, in July 2023. Had standard chemoradiation for 6 weeks and was cancer free for two years until September when a very small lesion appeared. So small the MRI did not reveal it but the surgeon felt it, ordered a PET scan, and the area lit up. So now I’m scheduled for a colostomy. I’ve had no serious issues for the past two years and my life was normal in every respect. This is certainly a disappointment and the decision and waiting is quite stressful.

Jump to this post

@ellyns
Hello @ellyns: You'll be fine...Be positive and useful always and in all ways for it is in doing for others that we best take care of ourselves. I have had a colostomy since 1999 and my life has just kept improving all along the way.
Hang in there. Joseph

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