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Anorectal Squamous Cell Cancer w Protruding Externally From Anal Verge

Posted by raellen @raellen, May 23 9:37am

Hello, I am a new here, 64 yr old female diagnosed with Anorectal Squamous Cell Cancer back in February of 2026. By report, my tumor is localized to anorectal region with inguinal/rectal nodes. No signs of metastatic disease. My cancer was diagnosed at stage 3a and I have a small piece of it that protruded externally from the my anus verge. I had a seven week treatment plan which included Radiation Therapy (IMRT) five days a week, along with oral chemo therapy daily of 5-FU, and two infusions of mitomycin, one at the beginning and one at the end of the treatment. I completed my treatment plan 5 weeks ago. Now I am in my sit and wait period after finishing my treatment. Will not know the out come until mid July this year when they do a follow up PET.

I am doing okay, as far as the radiation I’m healing very well, much better than I thought it would be these past four weeks. I have normal BM’s now, just don’t have good control over them. When my body says “I got go, I better get up and go!’ Lol! As for the chemo part i did fairly well with very little side effects. I am still very tired, have no energy at all. My activity is very limited. Don’t know if it’s the chemo or the radiation that has drained me. I hope in the next coming month to feel better as I want to return to work in July.

I’m worried, wish I knew what was going on, is it going away, I’m I going to be surgery free, what’s ahead for me, always in my mind daily. This waiting is difficult. I can still feel the tumor protruding from my anus and that really has me concerned. I thought it was shrinking, but it was only hiding out under the inflammation from the radiation treatment. Did anyone have a tumor protrude externally from their anus?

If you don’t mind sharing, I would love to know more about other’s journey with anal cancer post treatment. I would so appreciate your sharing your stories.

Hugs to everyone!

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

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forestlife | @forestlife | 11 hours ago
In reply to @raellen "@forestlife Hello, thank you for sharing here. I do hope you have had an update on..." + (show)
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@forestlife Hello, thank you for sharing here. I do hope you have had an update on when your treatment will start. It was almost 6 weeks after I was diagnosed for me. My tumor was large, classed as stage 3A. I’m now 10 weeks post treatment, returning to Duke for a PET in mid July. I worry everyday because I still feel the extruding part of the tumor. The Oncologist seems to be not bothered by it, saying it is going to go away in time, as the treatment is still working for months after. I wish there was someone like us who I could chat with, see if theirs finally disappeared and how long it took. You would think that the radiation would have knocked right on out of there after 7 straight weeks, sadly no. I just don’t want to have to dance with my chosen Surgery Oncologist. Please keep me posted as you go through your journey, ask me anything you want. Wish you the best

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@raellen
Thank you so much, I still haven't started treatment. My meds are supposed to arrive today and hopefully start next week. The tumor has completed things a bit. It's grown into my left iliac vein and now I have deep thrombosis. Creating possible blood clots breaking off and going to my lungs. Which can also help the cancer spread. I'm trying really hard not to think of the IF'S. They ran a blood test on me which shows I could have an issue with the way my body metabolites chemo so the plan is to break it down to 50 percent/ 75 percent the finally 100. They don't know if that will be enough.
My Dr's have said that the treatment continues to work up to 6 months. I'm sure that's what you've heard as well. After everything you've been through I'm sure you just want to move on...in good health 🙏
I spoke with a lady in the Dr's office with the same cancer as ours, she was there for her all clear visit. And we will too.

Thank you again for reaching out. I needed this.

Sending you love and strength.

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samclembeau | @samclembeau | 10 hours ago
In reply to @raellen "@forestlife Hello, thank you for sharing here. I do hope you have had an update on..." + (show)
Profile picture for raellen @raellen

@forestlife Hello, thank you for sharing here. I do hope you have had an update on when your treatment will start. It was almost 6 weeks after I was diagnosed for me. My tumor was large, classed as stage 3A. I’m now 10 weeks post treatment, returning to Duke for a PET in mid July. I worry everyday because I still feel the extruding part of the tumor. The Oncologist seems to be not bothered by it, saying it is going to go away in time, as the treatment is still working for months after. I wish there was someone like us who I could chat with, see if theirs finally disappeared and how long it took. You would think that the radiation would have knocked right on out of there after 7 straight weeks, sadly no. I just don’t want to have to dance with my chosen Surgery Oncologist. Please keep me posted as you go through your journey, ask me anything you want. Wish you the best

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@raellen they wait to do the first PET scan for I think it was 90 days to give the tumor time to shrink further. It keeps working after treatment is done. My life is pretty close to normal now with the exception that I have to wear a pad every day because of sphincter muscle being weak.
If I have a bout of diarrhea (SIBO) then I stay close to toilet or take lomotil if I cannot. Just don't go anywhere where there are no facilities. My was also 3A. it had metasasized to 2 lymph node which the radiation took care of. That was 2 years ago.

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