Anyone else have Anal cancer: What treatments did you have?

Hi @gabyivonne17, I moved your question to the Colorectal Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/colorectal-cancer/

I did this so you can connect with other members diagnosed with anal cancer like @hopenjoy2024 @msmarcy @jackiemarie @samclembeau @wilcy @marty28 and others.

Gaby, is this a new diagnosis for you? What treatment has been recommended?

It is a new diagnosis. No treatments yet, will start next week with radiation for 6 weeks every day

I had proton radiation for 30 sessions.
Started chemotherapy, but didn’t like the way I felt on it so only did about 10 days. I am now what is called NED ( no evidence of decease). that was just a year ago.
Was difficult to get doctors to okay proton radiation because they don’t have the proven numbers. If I had done regular radiation, they could have caused damage to my sphincter muscle because it was wrapped on it. Where are you located?
If yours has clear margins you may be able to just have surgery. UCSF had a program of surgery then chemo or surgery with a wait and see or radiation and chemo. But that one is also the one that is hardest on your system. Normal recommended treatment is radiation’s and chemotherapy 5 days a week for 6 weeks. A lot depends on the stage and position of the tumor.
I personally am very happy with the decision I made for my treatment.

I had surgery then radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks, also chemo. That was in 2016, and I am so happy to still be here! Best of luck with your treatments, Hang in there.