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

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You should see a doctor I had 3 polyps removed on colonoscopy 1 had cancer cells mine I had bleeding for 3 years thought it was hemorrhoids and after the removal of the polyps bleeding has stopped. But now have intestinal inflammation so never can tell might be a non cancerous growth too. Have it checked out.

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@amyb5

I had a normal colonoscopy while I had anal cancer (undiagnosed at the time of my colonoscopy). When I saw the colorectal surgeon to be evaluated (my pet scan found it, & my tumor labs were high), she said a colonoscopy is not the best way to diagnose anal cancer, the camera is on the end of the tube, & often completely misses them. She uses a scope in the office, it is disposable, has a light, & the camera is on the side, enabling her to look at the walls of the anus. Sorry for the long explanation. I would ask to see a colorectal surgeon. Good luck.

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@amyb5 ,

Thanks for that info.
After my intermittent anal pain, I got an appointment with the colorectal surgeon that I saw over a year ago for a thrombosed external hemorrhoid that burst on its on.( I went to her about that burst hemorrhoid and discovered it would heal on its own and it did.) She performed another anoscopy at the office visit and said it was completely normal. I explained I was afraid of cancer. She did see some internal hemorrhoids that were inflamed, but not needing treatment. She agreed with my hypothesis that my pain was proctalgia fugax.

She still wants me to get the colonoscopy, just to be cautious, plus to explore the constipation. They never have run any labs or scans. I read where a lot of people get those ordered, but I’ve been dealing with this problem for over 17 months. I don’t get it. Oh, my colonoscopy is still in April and can’t be moved up.

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@celia16

@amyb5 ,

Thanks for that info.
After my intermittent anal pain, I got an appointment with the colorectal surgeon that I saw over a year ago for a thrombosed external hemorrhoid that burst on its on.( I went to her about that burst hemorrhoid and discovered it would heal on its own and it did.) She performed another anoscopy at the office visit and said it was completely normal. I explained I was afraid of cancer. She did see some internal hemorrhoids that were inflamed, but not needing treatment. She agreed with my hypothesis that my pain was proctalgia fugax.

She still wants me to get the colonoscopy, just to be cautious, plus to explore the constipation. They never have run any labs or scans. I read where a lot of people get those ordered, but I’ve been dealing with this problem for over 17 months. I don’t get it. Oh, my colonoscopy is still in April and can’t be moved up.

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See a doctor as soon as you can
...the feeling of taking control will help with your anxiety

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@roywalton

See a doctor as soon as you can
...the feeling of taking control will help with your anxiety

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@roywalton ,
Well, I would, but my primary says check with the gastroenterologists. And, the gastroenterologists recommend the colonoscopy. For whatever reason, they don’t want to order any scans or blood test for cancer markers. I guess I can try another medical facility.

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@celia16

@roywalton ,
Well, I would, but my primary says check with the gastroenterologists. And, the gastroenterologists recommend the colonoscopy. For whatever reason, they don’t want to order any scans or blood test for cancer markers. I guess I can try another medical facility.

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That's right. If the colonoscopy finds cancer, THEN you would likely have a CAT scan, maybe a CEA blood test as well, to help guide the need for surgery and possibly chemo. Take tge steps, try to be informed as best as you can....ask questions be your own advocate!

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@roywalton

That's right. If the colonoscopy finds cancer, THEN you would likely have a CAT scan, maybe a CEA blood test as well, to help guide the need for surgery and possibly chemo. Take tge steps, try to be informed as best as you can....ask questions be your own advocate!

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@roywalton ,
Okay. Thanks! I will pick back up on trying to get the colonoscopy earlier. I’m not looking forward to it, but I’m looking forward to getting it behind me,,,please pardon the pun. Lol

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I was very concerned too. But really there was nothing to it. In fact it was very interesting watching everything on a big flat screen in 4K in real time! You may want to ask you doctor about sertraline (Zoloft) it really helps with anxiety and "runaway thoughts". However it takes about 2 weeks to kick in

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@roywalton

I was very concerned too. But really there was nothing to it. In fact it was very interesting watching everything on a big flat screen in 4K in real time! You may want to ask you doctor about sertraline (Zoloft) it really helps with anxiety and "runaway thoughts". However it takes about 2 weeks to kick in

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I thought I’d just go with the sedation. I have high anxiety. Have been trying to start Lexapro for weeks.

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@roywalton

I was very concerned too. But really there was nothing to it. In fact it was very interesting watching everything on a big flat screen in 4K in real time! You may want to ask you doctor about sertraline (Zoloft) it really helps with anxiety and "runaway thoughts". However it takes about 2 weeks to kick in

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@roywalton ,
What did it feel like? I’m not opposed to avoiding sedation, but I can’t imagine feeling it. The anoscopy, that I had recently, was a bit uncomfortable for me. Maybe it was due to my internal hemorrhoids. That exam lasted just a few moments.

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This exam could be 30 to 60 min. They will give you Valium iv which will make the procedure only feeling some pressure, not any pain. It's best to be lucid do you can ask questions and watch to learn. It's really cool

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