Connect
Six month anal cancer response not in agreement
Has anyone been in the situation where at six months after treatment for anal cancer their imaging and clinical exam didn’t correlate? My imaging shows continued shrinkage it is very small but that something is still there that could be scar tissue or residual tumor. My clinical exam says it looks and feels like a scar. The protocol at this point is to biopsy but as my imaging and exam are not in agreement my surgeon took it to the tumor board who recommended short surveillance. My surgeon suggested I could do a biopsy but if it is positive they would suggest an APR. I want to wait to give myself the best chance to avoid surgery as the board suggests but I am nervous that I could potentially miss the opportunity for an easier more successful surgery. Tough spot to be in. Has anyone on here waited past six months and had a positive response? Any one who has been in this situation and would like to share I appreciate the insight!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.
Connect
My Pet scan was negative at 6mo. I abstained from any sugar or carbs that could turn to sugar just to be safe. I didn't want any false positives.
sorry this is happening to you. No one wants a positive result, but what is worse is not knowing. on the other hand going through any invasive procedure without a clear reason.....I don't know, but I would probably do a wait and see myself.
Positive thoughts going your way.
@juliem25, to help your decision making, I would ask more questions. Anal cancer grows at different rates for different people. Some questions I would ask:
- Is my cancer fast or slow growing?
- Would an anoscopy or different imaging study give a clearer picture?
Julie, what stage is your anal cancer?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi Colleen
I was T2N0M0 at diagnosis. It is now much smaller and the last MRI staged T1N0 based on size. I do ask a million questions probably drive my drs a little nuts. The issue is a lot of the answers are we don’t know. I have had PET/MRI scan at 3 month and 6 months with anoscopy ever 6 weeks both scans and anoscopy show continued improvement. But not complete resolution so the question is scar tissue or tumor. No easy answer
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsProbably wait, but not for long…closely watch for trends in testing/imaging.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@juliem25 my scans & anascopy always show what you are describing. It’s been 3 years since radiation & FU5 chemo, & I still show abnormalities with both. I have had many biopsies. Determining that cancer is present, but not growing, & there is a decent amount of scar tissue. My tumor markers have not gone up, so that is reassuring.
@amyb5
Thank you for sharing this. I am having anxiety over the 6 month cutoff at which surgery becomes strongly suggested. I am happy to hear there is someone else out there that hasn’t had to go down that path. If you wouldn’t mind further sharing can you tell me what you are referring to for tumor markers? I have never had tumor markers mentioned to me or tested for. Thank you again!