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Anorectal Squamous Cell Cancer w Protruding Externally From Anal Verge
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!
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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.
@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.
Hi. I am new here and so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed in April and started treatment June 8th. I’ve finished 10 radiation treatments and 1 week of F5 and mitomycin. I’m worried about the side effects especially leakage. What products would be good options for leakage?
@forestlife Love the positive attitude! 🩷 I know it hard to turn our minds off from all the “what if’s”, but I do my best to celebrate the good days and except the days I have the set backs. I am returning to work on Tuesday, been out since February. I’m still very tired, but feel it’s not going to get better if I just continue to stay home with nothing but my mind. I hope to be successful and do okay so I can keep earning. Let’s please stay in touch here!
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3 Reactions@samclembeau Hello, thank you for posting! I had two lymph nodes affected to in the anal area, the Oncologist always presented being positive that the radiation with clear them, I hope to get that good news and more in July. I am happy to hear that you had success with you journey and wish continued good health and a happy life! Hugs!
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3 Reactions@aprilrain516 Hello! Thank you for sharing. I did 7 weeks straight of radiation, 35 treatments. I am now 10 weeks post my last treatment. The leakage you speak about cleared up post treatment, I really don’t have anything to offer you there other than give it time. Our bodies are going through a lot with this radiation, it’s going to take sometime to heal. During the process, I dealt with a lot of diarrhea, I took Imodium. It would only help ease it a bit. Things have gotten a lot better for me now, occasionally I have a day with diarrhea, but most days I’m pretty much normal, just have more than one bowl moment a day. To start my sphincter muscles did not do there job to well, but even that has improved these past few weeks. My only complaint is that piece that is extruding outward, it’s tender and can be painful. Stay positive and be good to yourself, it will get better. Hugs!
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4 Reactions@raellen
I'd like that.
I hope your work is upbeat, positive and occupying!
Let me know how it goes.
❤️
@raellen curious, if you can feel it is it hard or soft. If soft, it could be is a hemorrhoid, or anal fissure. I had one before and after radiation. Also have a weird skin tag, but that is not painful. The anal fissure was. I got a bidet fitting for my toilets and eventually it began to heal. Wiping makes it worse.
Good luck
Well, I agree, but unfortunately I cannot get an answer right now. The tumor was there in the beginning, I thought it was a hemorrhoid, ignored it for a few months, then later found out that it was the tumor extruding out. Today, It is in the same area, it is highly sensitive when cleaning up, sometimes sitting, but seems to be maybe somewhat smaller. It just worries me so much, actually casts doubts that the tumor is dying, shrunk, responding to treatment. I just don’t know and won’t know until the 16th of July when I see my Oncologist’s and have a PET scan. I can only hope that it’s maybe as you suggested. Thank you for asking and sharing your thoughts. Hugs!
@samclembeau Well, I agree, but unfortunately I cannot get an answer right now. The tumor was there in the beginning, I thought it was a hemorrhoid, ignored it for a few months, then later found out that i had anal cancer and the was the tumor extruding out. Today, It is in the same area, it is highly sensitive when cleaning up, sometimes sitting, but seems to be maybe somewhat smaller. It just worries me so much, actually casts doubts that the tumor is dying, shrunk, responding to treatment. I just don’t know and won’t know until the 16th of July when I see my Oncologist’s and have a PET scan. I can only hope that it’s maybe as you suggested. Thank you for asking and sharing your thoughts. Hugs!