Worried this might be anal cancer

Posted by blac @blac, Jan 13 4:06pm

Have been having this pain around the left side of my anus its very painful mostly at night and feels hard,
This pain as lasted for 3years now each day,
And more recently am noticing some kind of small growth in the left opening

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

samclembeau | @samclembeau | Jan 16 5:31pm

In reply to @terrymayo50 "diagnosed with colorectal cancer" + (show)

so sorry. hope you have a fast recovery

terrymayo50 | @terrymayo50 | Jan 16 2:13pm

In reply to @celia16 "Have you been diagnosed with anything?" + (show)

diagnosed with colorectal cancer

samclembeau | @samclembeau | Jan 15 11:27am

i am about to start proton radiation for anal cancer caused by the hpv 16 virus.
i thought for months that i had hemorrhoids but the gyn said i needed a colonoscopy to make sure and i was lucky to get one within a couple of months.
the dr. was there when i came to and said it looked like squamous cell cancer but i had to wait for the results of the biopsy. was inconclusive. second biopsy at UCSF also inconclusive so wend to a surgeon who i had hoped would just remove it, but was on the sphincter muscle so just took a biopsy. this time it was biopsied as cancer. had pet scan that verified it as stage 2. it is usually a slow growing cancer so i thought i had time to determine how i was going to have it treated. i was wrong. the pain got much worse and felt like my rectum was closing up on me. the only way i can go to the bathroom is if i have diarrhea. so my advise, for what is is worth, is the get going as soon as possible before it gets worse. i am now at stage 3 almost stage 4. (involves 2 lymph nodes). Less than a year later.
i don't know where you are located, but have found that most institutions do only regular photon radiation for anal cancer , even if they they have proton at that hospital. i found, because of another person here on mayo clinic connect, someone that went through this and found california proton cancer center where that is all they do. they are affiliated with UCSD and Scripps.
i hope this helps you decide what to do. don't wait. it doesn't get better on its own.

terrymayo50 | @terrymayo50 | Jan 15 9:06am

In reply to @celia16 "How was yours diagnosed?" + (show)

Thank you

terrymayo50 | @terrymayo50 | Jan 15 9:03am

In reply to @celia16 "You really have been through it. How resilient you are! Sending well wishes your way!" + (show)

I am a fighter and survivor, but how much can one person take, only God knows. Thank you for our well wishes.

slindsay6 | @slindsay6 | Jan 15 8:56am

In reply to @terrymayo50 "I have anal cancer, the Squamous Cell type. The port has already been installed and waiting..." + (show)

Terry , I was diagnosed with anal cancer stage2 after growth was removed from my anus. April 2023. My treatment was 28 days of chemo and RT. Had a PET scan in November ,I am now cancer free.
My chemo was oral except for 2 infusions day 1 and 28. RT was labor intensive. Trying to have an empty bowel and a full bladder for RT was a day full of challenges.
After 28 days of RT cumulative effects set in. Intense swelling of the genitalia and anus. I experienced 2 weeks when it was necessary to take pain medication.
Expect to be reclining during this period. Sitting is very difficult.
Just like child birth when you get a cancer free diagnosis it was all worth it. Praying for you and a speedy recovery.

pb50 | @pb50 | Jan 15 8:48am

I’m really confused. I think we have two message threads going here. One posted originally by @blac and another by @terrymayo50 - and I think I may have mixed up replies ..
Apologies

celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 15 8:32am

In reply to @terrymayo50 "I am a 73 yr old female. They told me my last resort would be surgery..." + (show)

You really have been through it. How resilient you are! Sending well wishes your way!

terrymayo50 | @terrymayo50 | Jan 15 8:14am

In reply to @pb50 "Im so sorry. That must be frightening - Even if you had a good idea of..." + (show)

I am a 73 yr old female. They told me my last resort would be surgery as I also have had an open heart surgery, pacemaker
installed, hip replaced, foot surgery an Osteoporosis from neck to bottom of my feet. The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful daughter to help me through my appointments, when they get started. I know I will probably lose all my hair, but I dread being sick the most.